Online Cataract Refractive Surgery Degree :: Accredited Universities

Students of refractive or cataract surgery are often in full-time employment and have difficulty attending taught courses. Hence, a novel approach has been used where internationally renowned refractive specialists such as Jorge Alio, Dimitri Azar and Michael Mrochen to mention a few, have given talks which are presented in an e-learning format. This enables students to study in their own time and location with the support of e-tutors and course discussion pages. Weekly discussion themes are based on different case scenarios.

At present, cataract and refractive surgery is poorly taught in most countries. In the UK, there is no formal training in refractive surgery and most people who undertake refractive surgery teach themselves with some help from the short introductory courses available from different organisations around the world and specific instrumentation courses organised by the manufacturers. The course aims to develop the qualities and transferable skills necessary for the understanding of the key theoretical elements necessary for effectively assisting or performing Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

The aims are to:

Promote the ability to correlate pathophysiology of cataract and refractive errors with principles of surgical correction.

Promote the ability to assess available patient information and data.

Develop independence in the planning, assessment, implementation and post surgery care of cataract and refractive surgery activities; in particular microkeratomes and various lasers.

Facilitate the acquisition of a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of refractive surgery and its applications and to enhance the ability to correlate the physical principles guiding each surgical step while adhering to the principles of good medical practice.

Enhance understanding for recognition and management of intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Cultivate practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge with promotion of a critical and scholarly approach to the application of a range of refractive surgery methodologies and the interpretation of their results.

The programme aims to develop in its students the qualities and transferable skills necessary for the understanding of the key theoretical elements necessary for effectively assisting or performing Cataract and Refractive Surgery. After completion of this course further training and experience gained from shadowing individuals involved in the procedures or assisting those involved would continue to advance knowledge and understanding and develop new higher-level skills to an advanced level.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must

(a) have gained

an Honours or non-Honours degree in a cognate discipline from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
Or an equivalent standard in a Postgraduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate or an approved alternative qualification;
and

(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent) and evidence of competence in mathematics (GCSE grade C or equivalent).

or, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b):

(c) in exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

English Language Requirements
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Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency in English through the achievement of an IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band score (in the four bands of reading listening, speaking and writing) below 5.5 or a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based).

Other Fees

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Refractive surgery is an ever-expanding area within the field of ophthalmology that encompasses laser and non-laser vision correction. Such surgery has traditionally been performed by surgeons in large private clinics, but in recent years has become accepted as part of mainstream ophthalmic care. Laser eye surgery is now the most frequently performed eye operation in Australia.

Upon completion of the Master of Medicine (Cataract and Refractive Surgery) at Sydney Medical School you will be equipped with knowledge of cataract and refractive surgery theory and practice. The course is primarily online with a two-week placement in an accredited refractive surgical centre and time spent in the wet lab at Sydney Eye Hospital. Jointly offered with the University of Auckland, New Zealand, the course is the first of its kind in the world.
Your lecturers include internationally recognised corneal and refractive surgeons.

Entry Requirements

A successful applicant for admission to the Masters of Medicine (Cataract and Refractive Surgery) will:
(a) hold a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; and
(b) hold appropriate medical indemnity; and
(c) have completed the requirements of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, and be eligible to undertake a subspecialty fellowship in the final year of accredited training; or
(d) be registered to practice ophthalmology in their state, territory or country.

In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the school, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

Other Fees

Overseas examination fees

Textbooks

Student Services and Amenities Fee (Max. $281/year)

Incidental unit costs

Notes

Distance mode with a two-week full-time clinical placement at an accredited private refractive surgery centre.

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