Exam in Ophthalmology in English

To obtain the grade 12 the student must demonstrate the following abilities:

As a medical expert, as a health advocate and as a professional.

Knowledge

• For common eye diseases
  • summarize the epidemiology, explain the pathophysiology, describe the symptoms and indicate methods of investigation, and explain treatment options and prognosis.
  • master the premonitory signs of retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, and wet age-related macular degeneration.
  • recognize eye damage and referring correctly.
• Explain how to diagnose and treat eye disorders that can be treated without referral to the ophthalmic specialty.
• Summarize the importance of screening for diabetic retinopathy, as well as impaired vision and strabismus in children.
• Explain the vision requirements for driving licenses, and for putting children and young people onto the visual impairment register.

Skills

• In various ophthalmological clinical scenarios, state whether referral to an ophthalmologist or eye department is indicated, and where appropriate, whether this should be done acutely by phone.
• Independently perform basic specialist-oriented physical examinations focusing on the patient's symptom or complaint.
• Independently measure visual acuity with and without spectacle correction, perform confrontational visual field exam, assess colour vision with Ishihara’s colour boards, assess externa, globe position, alignment and motility (this to include distinguishing between paralytic and non-paralytic strabismus), assess the symmetry of light reflection using the Hirschberg test, examine pupil reaction to light, assess the depth of the anterior chamber using a pen light, distinguish between different types of red eye and folding the upper eyelid over a cotton swab.
• Assess retrobulbar resistance and intraocular pressure (bi-digital palpation) and visualising the red reflex, blood vessels and papilla by ophthalmoscopy of the eye with dilated pupil and clear media.
• Independently administer eye drops and eye ointment, perform eye washes and apply shielding eye dressings.