For new international students we have introduced an orientation week which starts on 9 September 2013. This extra week is specifically designed to assist new international students in settling into the UK and GCU prior to the start of general student induction and teaching. There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.

Full details are available from our award-winning International Student Support Service or on our Welcome to GCU Facebook page.

The course will provide students with a broad education in prescribing practice that will equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their career and contribute effectively to extended professional roles. Students will develop their theoretical know-how and their clinical skills in the management of common ophthalmic conditions. The programme is designed to train optometrists towards ‘Additional Supply’ or ‘Independent Prescribing’ accreditation.

Download the Independent Prescriber Training Flyer 2013 ‌for more information about the course.

This programme will provide students with an up-to-date knowledge on diagnosis and management of common eye disorders. It will also provide an opportunity to review and practise advanced clinical investigative techniques.

In Scotland, optometrists have recently been granted independent prescribing rights, allowing them to treat a range of common ocular conditions independently. This represents a significant milestone in the development of the scope of optometric practice and puts Scottish optometry and Scottish optometric education at the forefront in Europe.

This programme provides qualified optometrists (UK-based and international) with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge ion the diagnosis and management of common eye disorders and to subsequently gain the right to prescribe medications for these conditions independently (this may vary for international students according to respective national legal regulations).

The course consists of three taught modules at Glasgow Caledonian University, which are complemented by a distance-learning component. A practical placement and a passing of a final exam set by the College of Optometrists are  (required for registration of the qualification with the GOC.

All University-based modules are compact weekend sessions (one per module), consisting of lectures and clinical hands-on workshops.

For the distance-learning component, a series of articles on diagnosis and management of relevant eye conditions as well as on principles of medical prescribing will be made available. Upon completion of Module 3, a clinical placement is required for candidates who are aiming for 'Independent Prescriber' registration (IP) with the GOC. For international candidates not wishing to register their qualification in the UK, a clinical placement is not mandatory.

Credits accumulated in this course can be used in the future for further study towards Master-level qualifications.

The course is consists of three taught modules at Glasgow Caledonian University, which are complemented by a distance-learning component. A practical placement and a passing of a final exam set by the College of Optometrists are  (required for registration of the qualification with the GOC.

Module 1: Ocular Therapeutics

Lectures – 10 hours
Practical skills – 4 hours
Distance Learning – 50 hours
Directed study – 83 hours
Assessment – 3 hours

Summary of Content

- Pharmacology of ocular therapeutic drugs

- Clinical features and management options for anterior eye disease

- Drugs used in the treatment of eye disease

- Potential impact of medications on the eye and vision

Learning Outcomes

Following successful completion of this module, the students should be able to:

- Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the eye and adnexa.

- Evaluate the principal signs and symptoms likely to be associated with various types of eye disease and to conduct appropriate ophthalmic investigations.

- Recognise the presence of ocular abnormalities and eye disease, make a differential diagnosis and make decisions on the appropriate management strategies.

- Apply knowledge of the theory and practice relating to the expected occurrence (epidemiology), the underlying disease processes (pathology) and their treatment (therapeutics or surgical intervention) as relevant to abnormal ocular conditions.

- Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of ocular therapeutic drugs.

Module 2: Practical Prescribing

Lectures – 14 hours
Directed Learning – 131 hours Assessment – 5 hours

Summary of Content

- The use of medications used in the management of selective ocular conditions

- The development of clinical management plans, monitoring and reflecting on treatment, drug legislation

- Critically assess available optometric, medical and treatment (therapeutic) strategies within an informed and flexible approach so as to meet the specific needs of patients presenting with abnormal ocular conditions or selected eye diseases 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, practitioners will be able to:

- Demonstrate an ability to take a comprehensive medical history and examine the eye using agreed instrumentation and clinical techniques.

- Demonstrate an ability to develop and document a clinical management plan within the context of a prescribing partnership.

- Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate sources of information, advice and decision support in prescribing practice, taking into account current evidence-based practice.

- Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and professional framework for accountability and responsibility in relation to supplementary prescribing.

- Devise appropriate referral procedures.

- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the main concepts that are important in relation to communication and interaction with other health care professionals pertinent to the management of selected abnormal ocular conditions and eye diseases.

- Understand the principles of the Medicines Act and the principles of access to medicines, including the prescribing of medicines for human use.

Module 3: Independent Prescribing

Lectures - 14 hours
Directed Learning - 134 hours Assessment - 2 hours

Summary of Content

- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of systemically administered medicines

- Legal and ethical aspects of the professional autonomy of an independent prescriber

- Evidence-based practice and clinical governance in relation to prescribing

- Local and national policies impacting on prescribing practice

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, optometrist independent prescribers should be able to demonstrate:

- An understanding of their role as an independent prescriber, an awareness of the limitations of their clinical experience and an ability to work within the limits of their professional competence

- An understanding of the public health issues related to medicines use

- An understanding of the legal, ethical and professional framework for accountability and responsibility in relation to prescribing

- An ability to work within clinical governance frameworks that include audit of prescribing practice and personal development

Optometrists registered with the GOC (UK) may register their Therapeutics qualification with the GOC upon passing the final exam by the College of Optometrists.

The course will enhance students' career prospects and allow them to take on extended professional responsibilities in primary and secondary eye care settings. It will provide students with a broad education in prescribing practice that will equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their career and contribute effectively to extended professional roles. Students will develop their theoretical know-how and their clinical skills in the management of common ophthalmic conditions.

The programme is designed to train optometrists towards ‘Additional Supply’ or ‘Independent Prescribing’ accreditation. We welcome applications from both UK-based and international optometrists.

Students will be assessed after each of the three Modules. Students wishing to register their Therapeutics qualification with the GOC will have to pass a common final assessment set by the College of Optometrists.

It is anticipated that NHS Education for Scotland (NES) will continue the support of practitioners and provide funding to cover tuition fees and course materials. NES funding is only available for optometrists registered with the GOC and practising in Scotland. For 2013, we anticipate funding to be available for up to 50 students. The funding will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. You can apply for NES funding by ticking the relevant box on the Therapeutic Prescribing Application Form.