Description:

The scope of practice for optometrists in South Africa has been expanded by the HPCSA to include Ocular Therapeutics. The purpose of this short learning programme (SLP) on Ocular Therapeutics for Optometrists is to empower already qualified optometrists with the additional knowledge, skills and insights required to manage selected ocular pathologies and to prescribe or administer approved schedule 2, 3 and 4 medicines for the treatment of ocular conditions in the course of optometric practice as per the promulgated scope of practice relating to Ocular Therapeutics. 

There are three units in this SLP that you can register for separately. To be awarded the SLP, you have to complete all three units successfully. Further, these units must be completed in the following order: first, this unit on General Principles of Disease; second, the unit on Ocular Disease and Therapeutic Management (for more information, see https://ujdigital.uj.ac.za/Course/Details/705); and lastly, the unit on Public Health and Ethics (for more information, see https://ujdigital.uj.ac.za/Course/Details/793). You must successfully complete all three units to complete the SLP and receive a digital certificate.

This unit on General Principles of Disease aims to ....

Admission Requirements:

To enrol for the SLP, 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.