Advanced Medical Retina (ACO706)

Extend theoretical knowledge of medical retina and develop clinical skills to an advanced level

Key features

This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of medical retina and develop their clinical skills to an advanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

This module has been designed to allow applicants to gain recognition against the College of Optometrists Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina and to support progression through the Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) framework in Medical Retina.

Module code

ACO706

Credits

FHEQ Level

7 – masters degree

Location

Blended learning approach: distance learning delivery of theoretical content, with one face-to-face clinical teaching day at the start of the module, a live webinar opportunity and one face-to-face assessment day at the end of the module.

Module details

This module will equip students with advanced theoretical knowledge and clinical expertise in relation to medical retina conditions.

Units of study include:

Complex communication.
Advanced Clinical Investigative Techniques.
Advanced clinical decision making in medical retina disorders.
Inherited retinal disease.
Vascular disorders linked to systemic disease.
Inflammatory and infectious disorders.
Differential diagnoses of medical retina disorders.

Learning outcomes

Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of advanced medical retina, inherited retinal disorders and complex macular conditions including differential diagnosis, management, referral and treatment pathways.
Demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of diabetic grading, referral, monitoring, management and treatment options.
Demonstrate the ability to systematically and critically analyse and interpret the clinical findings recorded during the investigation of a patient with a medical retina disorder, including inherited retinal disorder and produce complex clinical management recommendations to meet the differing needs of a variety of medical retina patients.
Demonstrate the ability to perform and interpret advanced clinical assessments to aid the diagnosis and monitoring of complex medical retina and inherited retinal conditions.
Systematically organise and communicate with complex medical retina patients to elicit comprehensive clinical information and deliver relevant and accessible advice.

Clinical placement

In order to obtain the College of Optometrists Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina, students are required to work within, or complete a clinical placement within, a medical retina clinic, under the mentorship of an ophthalmologist who specialises in medical retina. This placement must be arranged by the student prior to enrolment and must enable them to obtain experience of at least 200 patients of varying diagnosis and complexity. The placement is assessed through completion of a clinical logbook with viva. As a minimum guideline, one session per week (half day), over a 6–9 month period is recommended.

Recognition Prior Learning (RPL) can be considered towards the clinical placement for those practitioners with at least 2 years’ experience working in medical retina management on a regular basis (minimum of one session per week) within a hospital, clinic or appropriate setting. Please contact the module team for further information: acpophthalmology@plymouth.ac.uk.

NB. It is possible to complete this Advanced Medical Retina module without the clinical placement element, however this will not lead to the award of the College of Optometrists Professional Higher Certificate.

Assessment

The assessment for this module includes, written examination, clinical examination (OSCE) and a clinical portfolio with viva.

Admissions information

Additional information and documentation required for the application process.

Application forms.
Change of name forms.
Pre-course information.
Downloadable guides.
Student card.

Visit Professional Development Unit (PDU) admissions for full details.

Admissions information Additional information and documentation required for the application process.Access to application forms, download guides and confirmation information. Visit our admissions homepage.

Module dates

Next run of this module is end of January 2026 - dates tbc

The dates provided are those on which student attendance is needed. There are other key dates for the module (e.g. portfolio submission) which will be provided once the student has been enrolled.

Occasionally delivery dates might be subject to change – always check with the module lead or Professional Development Unit.

Please be aware that all modules run to minimum numbers.

In the event that there are low numbers, this module may be rescheduled to an alternative date.

Some modules are also subject to maximum numbers.

Fees

Please see our Professional Development module fees page.

Module Lead

Hannah Stewart

Entry requirements

Registered ophthalmic professional working in a clinical area that will facilitate the successful completion of the module learning outcomes.
It is a pre-requisite that students completing this module have successfully completed the Medical Retina (ACO702) module , or an equivalent Level 7 module in Medical Retina.
Students looking to obtain the College of Optometrists Higher Professional Certificate in Medical Retina, must already hold the College of Optometrists Professional Certificate in Medical Retina.
Students looking to obtain the College of Optometrists Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina are required to arrange a clinical placement in a medical retina clinic, as detailed above, and provide details of their placement location and mentor at the point of application.
Due to the blended learning delivery model of this module, it is an expectation that applicants will have access to wi-fi and relevant electronic devices that allow them to engage fully with all aspects of module delivery, teaching, learning and assessment.
In some cases, an interview may be required to assess individual ability to meet the requirements of this module.

How to apply

Please complete both application forms below and return to pduadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk

Accredited by The College of Optometrists

Accreditation

Successful completion of ACO706 Advanced Medical Retina will result in the award of the College of Optometrists’ Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina. This will entitle you to use the affix Higher Cert Med Ret and, for registrants, the GOC will be notified of your achievement.

Full UK College members will also receive a printed certificate – in addition to access to all our member resources (outlined below); for more detail about certificates please see the College policy.

Note that UK students who complete a higher qualifications course as a student registrant will not receive a certificate until they join the College with full (01-) GOC registration. They must join the College by the next (first) OSCE date following their own OSCE sitting in order to receive a certificate.

All upcoming OSCE dates are on the College website.

The College of Optometrists is the professional body for optometrists. It qualifies the profession, shapes the future of optometry and ensures that current and future optometrists are at the forefront of eye care provision. It is also the voice of the profession to local and national government, and works to support, inspire and continually develop its members and the profession. College-accredited higher qualifications equip you for new challenges and responsibilities and support your continuing professional development and career progression. Credits awarded to obtain Higher Qualifications can also be used towards other masters level qualifications.

The College is keen to support you in your career and if you are not already a member you may wish to consider the benefits of joining the College. These include access to clinical advice, online CPD, webinars, copies of Acuity and more. The College offers a range of membership options, including one for eye care professionals who are not optometrists, so please see our web page for more information on this. For more information on advancing your learning about specific topics take a look at our pages for glaucoma resources, retina resources and paediatric eye care resources.

MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology

This module can be studied as a standalone 20 credit option or as part of the full MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology.

An innovative and flexible MSc programme supporting the postgraduate development of registered ophthalmic professionals to an advanced level of practice in Clinical Ophthalmology.

Full programme details can be found on our

MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology

page.