The scope of practice for Optometrists in South Africa has been expanded by the HPCSA to include Ocular Therapeutics. This Ocular Therapeutics SLP will provide certification for the qualifying Optometrist to better manage ocular pathologies with the use of therapeutic agents. The short learning program will facilitate the development of appropriate knowledge, skills, and competencies ensuring that Optometrists meet contemporary standards of therapeutic practice and are equipped with skills to adapt to changes in the expanded scope of the Optometric practice.
COURSE OUTLINE
The course is divided into two parts:
- Ocular Therapeutics Part A: Didactic Online Course
- Ocular Therapeutics Part B: Clinical Placements
DETAILED COURSE BREAKDOWN
- PART A
Didactic Online Course
MODULE 1: General and Ocular Principles of Disease
Lectures: 21-24 February 2025
Exam Date: 3 April 2025
MODULE 2: Ocular Diseases and
Therapeutic Management
Lectures: 4-7 April 2025
Exam: 8 May 2025
MODULE 3: Public Health and Ethics
Lectures: 9-12 May 2025
Exam: 6 June 2025
- PART B
Clinical Placements:
Logbooks to be completed over a period of 6-9 Months
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
- A candidate will have completed an Optometry Qualification with accredited ocular diagnostic licensure approved by the Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians (PBODO) and have a current diagnostic drugs permit.
- A candidate will have completed an optometry course without ocular diagnostic licensure and a post graduate course in ocular diagnostics as accredited by the PBODO and have a current diagnostic drugs permit.
- A minimum of two years in practice following registration will be
required of each candidate before starting the therapeutics programme
MEDIUM: Online
DURATION: 2 Months and 6-9 Months of clinical training
COST: R18 510.00
Full payment to be made prior to commencement of the course
CONTACT DETAILS:
Prof Thokozile Ingrid Metsing:
011 559 6292 I ingricim@ui.ac.za
Sheherezade van der Westhuizen
011 559 9208 I sheherezadevd@uj.ac.za
REGISTRATION: Mduduzi Nzuza
011 559 6075 I mduduzin@uj.ac.za
- Registration is limited, it will be on a
first come first basis - CPD points will be allocated through an HPCSA Accreditor