Study Programmes 2016-2017
PATH0030-1  
Ophtalmological pathologies
Duration :
14h Th
Number of credits :
Master in medicine (180 ECTS)2
Lecturer :
Jean-Marie Rakic
Coordinator :
Jean-Marie Rakic
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents :
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine dealing with diseases of the eye, which are very common (the third reason of emergency consultation after medicine and surgery). In addition, the eye may reveal a wide variety of systemic diseases and the incidence of eye pathology is increasing with the ageing of population. An understanding of the effects of eye disease is of paramount importance for patient care particularly since reduced visual acuity can bring enormous implications on the mobility, independence and global quality of life of our patients.
The ophthalmology course is taught during the first semester of Master 2 (cycle 9) as part of courses in medicine (neurology), surgery, psychiatry, paediatrics, health care of older people and otolaryngology. It consists of 9 didactic lectures and of a clinical reasoning learning session (CRL) held at the end of the theoretical courses.
 
After a first introductory lesson on ocular anatomy, physiology and visual functions, and a course on refraction, students are offered a progressive program from anterior to posterior segment of the eye allowing them to gain an understanding of the various facets of the specialty such as corneal disease and cataract (course 3), medical and surgical retina (course 4), glaucoma (course 5), external eye disease (course 6), paediatric ophthalmology (course 7), neurophtalmology (course 8) and traumatology (course 9). Important topics and numerous relations with other fields in medicine are specifically covered during the lectures and students are therefore strongly encouraged to attend to enhance their level of knowledge.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
At the end of the course, the medical student should be able to
 


  • diagnose and manage ocular benign conditions;
  • understand the differential diagnosis of the red eye;
  • perform an appropriate history taking and basic clinical examinations (not necessitating slit lamp) to approach causes of acute or gradual visual loss;
  • suspect and appropriately refer to the specialist ophthalmological emergencies necessitating immediate care;
  • explain the main causes of vision loss (cataract, corneal disease, acute and chronic glaucoma, retinal vascular or degenerative conditions, optic neuropathy), their mechanism, their epidemiology, their potential treatment and their impact on quality of life;
  • detect abnormal visual development and alarming ocular signs during childhood.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Co and pre-requisites are detailed in the general Master Medical formation (global course program).
Ophthalmology cannot be understood properly without good knowledge of neurology and neurosurgery.
In addition the Master 2 student should also reread with special interest salient parts of medicine taught during Master 1 (endocrinology, rheumatic and system diseases, vascular disorders).
Neuroanatomy, ocular histology and optical geometry were taught during bachelor's degree period.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The ophthalmology course is based on 9 lectures and 1 PBL.
The majority of oral courses contains an introduction followed by a broad view of differential diagnosis, a slide with important signs and symptoms, clinical illsutrations, a "research and hot topic" slide, and video material to demonstrate some clinical signs or a specific surgical technique (phacoemulsification, photorefractive keratectomy, corneal grafting, vitrectomy, laser iridectomy, laser capsulotomy.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face course.
 
Slides covering all the lectures are available online through "myulg".
Recommended or required readings :
There is no required reading.
Recommended reading (free download) from the international council of ophthalmology :
Handbook-for-Medical-Students-Learning-Ophthalmology
Emergency-Ophthalmology-Handbook-for-Junior-Residents-and-Medical-Students
 
Assessment methods and criteria :
Writen exam consisting of a few MCQ, and a short or a large open question.
 
Oral integrative exam based on the same approach as the presented PBL lesson


  • Differential diagnosis based on history
  • Differential diagnosis based on clinical signs
  • Recommended exams
  • Proposed therapy
 
 
Work placement(s) :
See MSTG1003-1.
A rotation in Ophthalmology Department is not required.
It"s however a very good way to practice the use of a slit lamp, to take history from emergency patients, to assess visual acuity, visual field and ocular movements.
Organizational remarks :
The course is given on following dates in Welsch Auditorium starting sharp at 13.30 PM (except last course 13.00) :


  • Anatomy, physiology and visual functions (20/09/16)
  • Refractive disorders (04/10/16)
  • Anterior segment (11/10/16)
  • Posterior segment (18/10/16)
  • Posterior segment - part two (25/10/16)
  • Glaucoma (8/11/16)
  • Paediatrics and neuroophthalmology (22/11/16)
  • External eye disease and traumatology (29/11/16)
  • Neurophthalmology - part two (06/12/16 - 13.00)
Contacts :
Jean-Marie RAKIC
Department of Ophthalmology, BC-3
CHU Sart-Tlman
Avenue Hipocrate B35
tel : 04/366.72.76 - Email jmrakic@ulg.ac.be
Secretary : C. Fanchamps
tel : 04/366.72.75 - Email cfanchamps@chu.ulg.ac.be
Any question concerning ophthalmology may be asked either immediately after the course, or by email. The title of the email should always start with student-Master2 and an answer will be provided within 48 hrs (otherwise it is encouraged to try again).
For all practical questions please ask the secretary.
Items online :
Ophthalmology - Master 2
Slides covering every oral course. Neuroophthalmology corresponds to 2 oral courses.