Primary Care Ophthalmology (Online Learning) MSc

This programme provides an opportunity if you are a postgraduate or health professional working in secondary and primary care, including in the following roles:

• Optometrist
• Dispensing optician
• Orthoptist
• Ophthalmic nurse
• Another ophthalmic allied health professional

This programme is also highly relevant if you are a medical or surgical trainee entering specialty training in ophthalmology, or if you are a general medical practitioner with a special interest in ophthalmology.

The programme is designed to be completed alongside an ophthalmic clinical post.

The MSc supports learning for achievement of the outcomes of the UK’s Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) programme which is based on the Ophthalmic Common Clinical Competency Framework (OFC), developed by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in collaboration with the:

• College of Optometrists
• Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
• British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS)
• Association of Health Professions in Ophthalmology (AHPO)

This degree is aligned with the curricula of the:

• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd)
• Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth)

This supports learning for their membership and fellowship examinations, making the programme very attractive to domestic and international students.

This programme is designed for you if you wish to enhance your knowledge with particular regard to the diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease as you take on an increasingly expanding role in managing eye disease as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Students come from different health backgrounds, including:

• optometrists
• orthoptists
• ophthalmic nurses
• other ophthalmic allied health professionals
• ophthalmologists
• ophthalmology trainees/residents/registrars

This programme may also be of interest if you are a medical or surgical trainee and aspire to specialise in ophthalmology or are a GP or GP Specialist Trainee with a Special Interest in Ophthalmology. The MSc is also relevant if you are a dispensing optician, a family medicine physician, or other eye healthcare professional seeking to advance your understanding of primary care ophthalmology and its interface with secondary care.

The degree supports your learning for professional examinations such as:

• Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd)
• Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth)
• equivalent

The award of an MSc will highlight your commitment to continuing professional development in your chosen career and will ensure a competitive edge when applying for clinical positions.

The MSc will also help prepare you for an academic or research career.

How will I learn?

The programme runs on a semester basis over three years - from September until June each year. You will follow a weekly timetable.

The learning content is delivered each week in a flexible, modular manner, through an online learning environment.

The programme involves a minimum of 15-20 hours of study per week.

Courses

All courses are compulsory and are taught and assessed using a clinical problem-based approach and involve participation in discussion boards and reflective portfolios.

You will accumulate credits by completing a series of courses leading to a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Science degree.

The minimum time for completion of the full Masters programme is three years, and the maximum time for completion is six years.

How will I be assessed?

Knowledge and understanding will be assessed with a formal multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam. You will also participate in academic discussion boards, leading and facilitating debate, and complete a reflective ePortfolio.

You are required to complete a Masters research project in Year 3 in an appropriate ophthalmology sub-speciality of your choosing, for example, original research or a systematic review.

Year 1: Certificate

• Basic Ophthalmic Science: Anatomy, Pathology, Physiology of the Ocular Structures
• Basic Examination & Investigation Techniques
• Basic Glaucoma
• Basic Macular Disease
• Basic Acute Eye Disease & Vision Loss
• Heritage and Refinement of Referral Criteria

Year 2: Diploma

• Advanced Ophthalmic Science: Anatomy, Pathology, Physiology of the Ocular Structures
• Advanced Examination & Investigation Techniques
• Advanced Glaucoma
• Advanced Macular Disease
• Advanced Acute Eye Disease & Vision Loss
• Advanced storage and Refinement of Referral Criteria

Year 3: Masters

The final year involves a supervised master's research project.

This will be undertaken on an approved topic that reflects your subspecialty interest and will require the submission of:

• Four written assessments, including a final project report (7,500-10,000) words

Online learning

The programme is taught entirely online.

You are supported by discussions with e-tutors - all leading clinicians in their field. You will also have access to a large learning resource, including subscriptions to key online books and journals.

You will be expected to lead e-seminars and e-journal clubs.

Our online learning technology is fully interactive, and award-winning and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

Research community

As an online student, not only will you have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources, but you will also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.