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Department of Clinical Vision Sciences
Division of Allied Health
Faculty of Health Sciences
La Trobe University
Victoria 3086
Australia
Tel: +61 3 9479 2570
Fax: +61 3 9479 3590
email
3rd Floor
Health Sciences 2
Bundoora Campus
La Trobe University

Content Approved by:
Head of School
Page maintained by: Administration Manager

Undergraduate Degree - 3.5 Years Full Time 

This course is one of only two Orthoptic training programs in Australia; the other program is in Sydney. The course aims to equip graduates to provide specialist clinical investigation of eye disease, including diagnosis of eye movement disorders, non-surgical management of specific eye problems and rehabilitation techniques for people with low vision. Studies include anatomy, physiology, ocular pathology, professional and clinical studies.

Students are required to attend the Bundoora campus and external clinical placements. Clinical placements are undertaken at selected city, country, interstate and overseas hospitals and clinics. Some clinical placements are undertaken during semester breaks and students are expected to undertake an interstate or overseas placement at least once during the course. Students must meet the travel and accommodation costs associated with clinical practice. Prescribed uniforms are compulsory at all clinical placements and dress regulations are displayed on School noticeboards. It is expected students will purchase some clinical equipment for use in clinical examinations.

Students are assessed through a variety of methods, such as examinations, assignments and practical work. Details of assessment in each subject are available from the School at the beginning of the academic year. Students are expected to purchase lecture and laboratory manuals.

Degree Requirments

This is a full-time course of three and a half years’ duration. Students are required to attend the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus and external clinical placements.

Students are assessed through a variety of methods, such as examinations, assignments and practical work. Details of assessment in each unit are available from the school at the beginning of the academic year. Students are expected to purchase lecture and laboratory manuals.

Course Structure

Year 1

	Human Anatomy and Physiology HBS1APH		Anterior Segment ORT1ANT
	Intro to Professional Communication Skills PHE1PCS		Introduction to Public Health D PHE1HAS
	Introduction to Public Health C PHE1HHB		Human Body Function HBS1HBF
	Optics and Vision ORT1OPV		Refraction ORT1REF
	Introduction to Professional Communication Skills		Retina ORT1RET

Year 2

	Binocular Vision ORT2BIN		Concomitant Strabismus ORT2CON
	Biomedical Instrumentation ORT2BMI		Neuro-ophthalmic Disorders A ORT2NEU
	Clinical Practice A ORT2CLI		Ophthalmic Practice ORT2OPH
	General Pathology HBS2PAG		Pharmacology HBS2PHA
	Neurosciences A HBS2NEU		Research Methods in Health 2 PHE2RMH
	Research Methods in Health 1 PHE1RMH		Research Design in Orthoptic Practice
	Retinal Disorders ORT2RET

Year 3

	Determinants of Health A PHE2BDA		Neuro-ophthalmic Disorders B ORT3NEU
	Eye Health Care Systems ORT3EYE		Clinical Practice B ORT3CLI
	Incomitant Strabismus ORT3INC		Elective

Year 4

	Case Management: Ophthal Disorders ORT4OPH		Case Management: Rehab ORT4REH
	Case Management: Strab&Paed Ophthal ORT4SPO		Interdisciplinary Professional Practice

Honours Year

Students may be invited to undertake the honours program. Offers are made on the basis of academic merit. The honours program runs concurrently with the first semester of the undergraduate fourth year and continues in the second semester of that year. In addition to the undergraduate subjects in semester one - students will undertake studies in research methods, advanced clinical practice and complete a research thesis.

For further details please visit the Honours page

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Orthoptic Association of Australia, which entitles graduates to membership of the International Orthoptic Association. Graduates are also eligible to be affiliated with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

The Australian orthoptic training programs are recognised throughout the world. However, some countries require additional registration requirements to enable an orthoptist to practice.

Advanced Status

Enrolment with advanced status is available to qualified orthoptists wishing to upgrade to a bachelor degree. Contact the School Student Services Officer on 9479 5754 for details.