Learning objectives

The Degree Course in Orthoptic and Ophthalmologic  Assistance aims to prepare graduates who have acquired the fundamental qualitative and quantitative understanding of biological and pathological phenomena, the principles of pathophysiology necessary to carry out orthoptic rehabilitation treatment in ocular motility and binocular vision disorders, the principles of rehabilitating visual function impairments and the basic knowledge for applying instrumental ophthalmic semeiology techniques.

Course-specific learning objectives

Graduates in Orthoptics and Ophthalmic Care must be able to:

Plan and implement, in collaboration with other professionals, interventions for health promotion, screening and prevention of visual impairment, and early diagnosis, aimed at the individual and the community;

Plan, carry out and evaluate technical-diagnostic activities relating to the psychophysical assessment of visual function, objective and subjective refractometry, the quality and characteristics of the sensory and motor aspects of normal and pathological binocular vision, electrophysiology, static and dynamic imaging of the eye; Plan, carry out and evaluate vision re-education activities and define the objectives of such re-education, taking into account the pathology and the educational and personal needs of the individual;

Contribute to the planning and organisation of the collection of diagnostic information and of the production process, including the analysis of costs, the introduction of new technologies and materials, and the identification and correction of factors that may influence it;

Carry out and ensure the quality control of the services provided and identify the appropriate interventions to achieve or maintain the expected quality levels;

Act in a manner consistent with the disciplinary, ethical and deontological principles of the profession in the various situations envisaged in the training programme;

Recognise and respect one's own roles and competences and those of other professional figures in order to ensure the best functionality of the diagnostic/therapeutic process;

Demonstrate teaching skills oriented towards tutoring students in training and staff training.

Particularly important, as an integral and qualifying part of professional training, is the practical training and clinical placement activity conducted under the guidance of tutors belonging to the specific professional profile, coordinated by a professor/instructor trained to the highest level envisaged for the professional profile of Orthoptist and Ophthalmic Assistant, adjusted to the training standard specifically provided for by the European Union regulations and directives. The total number of hours required for the training of the professional figure of Orthoptist and Ophthalmic Assistant must in any case be in line with the training standard specifically laid down by European Union legislation.

Training programme

The body of knowledge that will be acquired by the graduate, amounting to 180 ECTS credits, will constitute the cultural, scientific and relational background necessary to acquire full professional competence and to understand, address and manage pathological events that require rehabilitation and/or therapeutic intervention in all age groups. This knowledge will be acquired by the students through participation in lectures, the placement (during which they will be supervised by lecturers and tutors) and through personal study of the subjects offered by the degree course.

In particular, through gaining biochemical, physical, statistical, ICT, biological, pharmacological, anatomical-physiological, histological, genetic, and pathological skills, the student will attain a solid knowledge base of the integrated biological aspects and functions of human organs and apparatuses in close interaction with the disciplines characterising the Course. The student will also understand the profession through its characterising skills in ophthalmology, neurology, psychology, child neuropsychiatry, general and applied hygiene, general and specialist paediatrics, and information processing systems. Learning these disciplines will lead to the acquisition of fundamental concepts relating to the human and behavioural sciences, ethics and professional ethics, the pathophysiology of the visual apparatus and orthoptic semeiotics and methodology, the aetiology and pathogenesis of diseases, pathology and clinical, and personal and neurological diseases of the eye and sense organs. The student will also acquire knowledge of radiation protection according to the contents of Annex IV of Legislative Decree no. 187 of 26 May 2000.