Master of Orthoptics

Description

Orthoptists are allied health professionals and key members of the medical eye care team who prevent, manage and research disorders of the eye and vision systems. They have particular expertise in the assessment and treatment of binocular vision (use of the two eyes as a pair).

Orthoptists support patients who have visual problems associated with conditions such as stroke and head injury, work with blind and partially sighted people and treat children with lazy eyes, including conditions such as amblyopia and strabismus.

Orthoptists assist in the assessment of patients with eye diseases and are skilled in many of the exacting diagnostic and treatment procedures related to disorders of the eye and visual system such as testing peripheral vision, ultrasonography, biometry, assisting in minor surgery and prescription of glasses and eye exercises.

The program aims to prepare graduates for registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board in order to be able to practise in Australia and may be completed on a full-time basis over two years.

Students should be aware that course requirements for clinical units of study can be spread over 48 weeks of the year and that some clinical placements are offered in regional, rural and interstate locations in block mode. Some local placements are also offered in block mode. Compulsory clinical briefing session can also be held outside the normal semester dates.

Requirements

•Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree from an institution recognised by the University of Sydney.
•International students whose bachelor degree was not conducted in English will be required to have an average IELTS score of 7.0.
If the prior bachelor's degree did not include general human anatomy and physiology, students are advised to contact the course director to discuss how they might address background knowledge (phone +61 2 9351 9464).

Notes

As part of this degree eligible students will have the opportunity to take part in the ‘FHS Abroad' program which involves academic study and a 4-6 week placement with non-government organisations and other development agencies in one of a small number of countries in South and South East Asia. This 6 credit point elective is available to students and enables you to gain a real understanding of global health and make a lasting difference to communities worldwide