Having delivered two postgraduate courses on the theory and practice of myopia management, the School of Optometry & Vision Science, UNSW is now taking enrolments for its 2020 program.
Described as the “world’s first postgraduate course dedicated to myopia management”, it can be taken as part of a Master’s degree or as core components of the brand new Graduate Certificate in Myopia Management (GradCert MM). The latter allows practitioners to gain a recognised degree in this new field in vision care. As part of the GradCert MM, a clinical placement course at the Myopia Clinic in UNSW is also planned.
The theoretical coursework component of the GradCert MM is designed to be delivered entirely online with lectures delivered by nationally and internationally acclaimed speakers and researchers. Learning is further reinforced with an interactive live webinar activity, allowing students to communicate directly with lecturers.
As well as teaching clinical know-hows on practising and incorporating myopia management in practice, the course teaches the scientific theory behind the development of myopia and the mechanism of myopia control strategy. Further, it places emphasis on developing lifelong learning skills and evidence-based practice (EBP) so that practitioners are equipped to keep pace with this rapidly developing field.
Catherina Leung, a full-time clinician who often works interstate, was motivated to study the subject as she has seen “a definite trend in more children being myopic and patients with rapidly progressing myopia” in Australia and believed “different treatment strategies… were required”.
Ms Leung said the course provided knowledge on all aspects of myopia assessment and management and she learned myopia management does not always require specialised equipment.
“The course gave a good overview with sufficient depth of information on the important concepts and topics related to myopia management,” said Ms Leung. For information visit degrees.unsw.edu.au/graduate-certificate-in-myopia-management
