Companion Animal Ophthalmology - Basic Companion Animal Ophthalmology

Course content

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with theoretical and practical skills to understand the underlying causes of ocular diseases, to perform diagnostic work-up, establish prognosis, and develop therapeutic strategies for the management of:
 

1) Dogs and cats with congenital ocular diseases.

2) Dogs and cats with hereditary ocular diseases.

3) Dogs and cats with ocular manifestations of systemic diseases.

4) Dogs and cats with neoplastic ocular diseases.
 

To provide the student with hands-on knowledge in how to use a handheld slit-lamp for biomicroscopy examination. To provide the student with hands-on knowledge in the field of direct and indirect ophthalmoscope. To provide the student with hands-on knowledge in the field of advanced diagnostic testing for ophthalmic diseases; including cytology, pathology, and electroretinography. To demonstrate the use of advanced CT and MRI in veterinary ophthalmology.
 

By theory and practical exercises to extend the student’s knowledge, practical skills, and competences within the clinical decision-making and diagnostic procedures with regards to companion animal ophthalmic diseases.

Education

This course is a specialization course at the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science. The Master is a post graduate education targeted small animal veterinarians seeking Continual Professional Development (CPD).

 

Read more about the  Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science.

Learning outcome

Having completed the course, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge

  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with congenital ocular diseases.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of hereditary ocular diseases.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of ocular manifestation of systemic diseases.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of neoplastic ocular diseases.
  • Know ocular pharmacological drugs that can be used in veterinary ophthalmology.
  • Know etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for ocular diseases in dogs and cats at an advanced level.
  • To define, identify, and evaluate veterinary methodology and the use of general and advanced veterinary diagnostic methods for veterinary ophthalmology patients.
     

Skills

  • Apply evidence-based approaches to dogs and cats with complex ophthalmic symptoms.
  • Perform oral presentation of patient history, symptoms, and diagnostic plan for both specialist and non-specialist colleagues and clients.
  • Discuss relevant problems and questions within the systematic approach to patients with complex ophthalmic symptoms.
  • Use and adjust slit lamp biomicroscopy.
  • Use and adjust the headset for indicted ophthalmoscopy.
  • Perform gonioscopy examination at a basic level.
  • Perform an electroretinogram (ERG) at a basic level.
  • Perform ocular ultrasonographic examination at a basic level.
  • Interpret, assess, and reflect on collected patient data in order to identify/localize the cause of ocular disease occurrence, make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis, and apply and integrate evidence-based scientific approaches to plan and administer further diagnostics, patient therapy, and management.
     

Competences

  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and lay-persons involved in companion animal patient management.
  • Plan, evaluate, and manage a diagnostic work-up and treatment of patients with complex ocular diseases.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge at a specialty level within complex ocular diseases.

A mixture of lectures, e-learning, theoretical and practical exercises. Case-study work.

Updated literature list will be posted 1 month prior to course start. The participant should have theoretical knowledge updated prior to participation.

Inclusion criteria for Master's Programme in Companion Animal Clinical Science: Degree in veterinary medicine and at least two years of relevant work experience.

SCAM13001U, SCAM13002U, SCAM13003U, SCAM13004U or one of the following certifications in Companion Animal Diseases:
• Danish Certificate in Small Animal Diseases, in danish known as "Fagdyrlæge i sygdomme hos hunde og katte".
• Swedish Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Swedish known as "Steg 1".
• Norwegian Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Norwegian known as "Specialisering i veterinærmedisin, spesialitet smådyr".
• Finnish Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Finnish known as “Pieneläinsairauksien erikoiseläinlääkäri".

Written
Oral
ECTS
1 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
Type of assessment details
The Ongoing Test consists of three parts:
a) a minimum of 80% active participation,
b) preparation and oral presentation of one or more problem-oriented clinical cases,
c) a written assignment (critical mini-review).

To pass the course, students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Aid
All aids allowed except Generative AI
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Re-exam

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assessment

To achieve the grade passed, the student shall be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of ocular anatomy, embryology, histology, neuro-ophthalmology, physiology, pathophysiology, and cytology.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of basic ocular imaging as electroretinogram (ERG), ultrasound, and CT scan.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of how to perform an ophthalmic examination.

 

Skills

  • Perform a complete ophthalmic examination including basic diagnostic tests (Schirmer tear test, tonometry, and fluorescein stain), and an examination of the adnexa, anterior segment, and posterior segment with transilluminator, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscopy.
  • Use and adjust ultrasonographic equipment.
  • Perform electroretinogram (ERG) at a basic level.
  • Perform gonioscopy at a basic level.

 

Competences

  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and lay-persons involved in ocular anatomy, embryology, histopathology, and how these topics can relate to companion animal ocular diseases.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge at a specialty level within complex ocular anatomy, embryology, histopathology, and how these topics can relate to companion animal ocular diseases.

 

ECTS
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Type of assessment details
The Subject Element Exam includes an on-site steeplechase test.

To pass the course students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Examination prerequisites

Students may attend this examination without approval of Exam 1 (SCAM25051E Ongoing Test).

Aid
No aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Re-exam

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assessment

To achieve the maximum grade 12, the student shall be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Explain, reflect about, and demonstrate overview of ocular anatomy, embryology, histology, neuro-ophthalmology, physiology, pathophysiology, and cytology.
  • Explain, reflect about, and demonstrate overview of basic ocular imaging as electroretinogram (ERG), ultrasound, and CT scan.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of how to perform an ophthalmic examination.

 

Skills

  • Perform a complete ophthalmic examination including basic diagnostic tests (Schirmer tear test, tonometry, and fluorescein stain), and an examination of the adnexa, anterior segment, and posterior segment with transilluminator, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscopy.
  • Use and adjust ultrasonographic equipment.
  • Perform electroretinogram (ERG) at a basic level.
  • Perform gonioscopy at a basic level.

 

Competences

  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and lay-persons involved in ocular anatomy, embryology, histopathology, and how these topics can relate to companion animal ocular diseases.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge at a specialty level within complex ocular anatomy, embryology, histopathology, and how these topics can relate to companion animal ocular diseases.

Part time Master and Diploma courses

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 82
  • Exercises
  • 20
  • Exam
  • 40
  • English
  • 162

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Course number
SCAM25051U
ECTS
See exam description
Programme level
Part Time Master
Duration
5 course days full time.
Placement
Autumn
This course is offered in the Autumn semester (odd-numbered years). For more information about the exact course dates, please visit the webpage.
Price

Basic Companion Animal Ophthalmology – University of Copenhagen.

Schedulegroup
Monday – Friday full time.
Capacity
12
Studyboard
Study Board for the Professionel Master´s Degree Programmes at The Faculty og Health and Medical Science
Contracting department
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinators
  • Annemarie T. Kristensen   (3-65786f4477797268326f7932686f)
  • Pernille Holst   (2-736b4376787167316e7831676e)
Teacher

National and International capacities within the field.

Saved on the 25-06-2025

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