Overview
Anatomy of relevance to the clinical practice of ophthalmology. In particular the eye, the visual pathways, the orbit, its contents and periorbital structures. The anatomy of the head and neck, neuro-anatomy and histology as it pertains to the visual system.
The Department of Medicine offers the Postgraduate Diploma in Ophthalmic Basic Sciences (PGDipOphthBS), taught in conjunction with the University of Sydney. This consists of four 30-point papers, which can be taken full time over a year or part time up to five years. This diploma is intended for medical graduates with at least two years' experience who are either wishing to embark on a career in ophthalmology or in a recognised training programme and wish to enhance their understanding of the ophthalmic basic sciences. The diploma is based on the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists' curriculum, which has been extended to include clinical correlations where appropriate.
About this paper
| Paper title | Ophthalmic Anatomy |
|---|---|
| Subject | Ophthalmology |
| EFTS | 0.25 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (23 February 2026 - 31 May 2026)
(Distance learning)
2nd Non standard period (3 August 2026 - 8 November 2026) (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $3,486.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- OPHX 801
- Limited to
- PGDipOphthBS
- Eligibility
- Must be admitted to the PGDipOphthBS or a Certificate of Proficiency.
- Contact
Application enquiries to:
Postgraduate Administrator: ophtpostgradadmin.medicine@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Course Co-ordinator: Dr Francesc March de Ribot
Other practising ophthalmologists with a particular interest in basic sciences have been selected from throughout Australasia to teach on this course.
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.
This paper is offered through Distance Learning using web-based teaching and interactive online tutorials. The lectures are available via the University of Sydney OB3 website, in which you will be enrolled.
- Textbooks
Some reference texts are expensive. It is suggested that the student should consult local hospital and medical school libraries to see if any of the following texts are available. It is also suggested that online bookstores may be able to provide the texts at a cheaper price than local bookstores (beware of security issues). Have a look in local second-hand university bookstores or ask local previous candidates (or ophthalmology registrars) if they wish to part with their pre-loved texts (if they allow it, we may be able to provide you contact details). The Medical Society Bookshop and the Coop Bookshop (Sydney) both have been informed of the essential texts for the course. On the ophthalmology forum you may be able to pick up second copies of textbooks or borrow them for the term. The lectures will reference relevant texts and will provide additional relevant material (copyright allowing).
Prescribed text:
- Clinical Anatomy of the Eye Snell RS and Lemp MAWolff's Anatomy of the Eye and Orbit (8th ed). AJ Bron et al (eds) HK Lewis, London 1997
Additional texts:
- Histology of the Human Eye M Hogan J Alvarado, J Wedell WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1971. (Photocopies of this text are kept by past Part 1 holders)
- Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed) Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1989
- The Eye Basic Sciences in Practice (Chapters 1 and 2) J Forrester et al Saunders Company Ltd London 1996.
- The Human Nervous System, An Anatomical Viewpoint (5th Ed) ML Barr and JA Kiernan Harper and Row, Philadelphia 1988
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Critical thinking.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Describe the normal anatomical organisation of the human eye, orbit, and its contents and the head and neck in terms of cells, tissues, organs and systems
- Describe the principal components of the human visual system and their function in detail
- Describe how diagnostic imaging may be used in ophthalmic practice
Overview
Anatomy of relevance to the clinical practice of ophthalmology. In particular the eye, the visual pathways, the orbit, its contents and periorbital structures. The anatomy of the head and neck, neuro-anatomy and histology as it pertains to the visual system.
The Department of Medicine offers the Postgraduate Diploma in Ophthalmic Basic Sciences (PGDipOphthBS), taught in conjunction with the University of Sydney. This consists of four 30-point papers, which can be taken full time over a year or part time up to five years. This diploma is intended for registered medical graduates who are engaged in or have completed the training requirements of postgraduate year 2 and are wishing to embark on a career in ophthalmology or in a recognised training programme and want to enhance their understanding of the ophthalmic basic sciences. The diploma is based on the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists' curriculum, which has been extended to include clinical correlations where appropriate.
About this paper
| Paper title | Ophthalmic Anatomy |
|---|---|
| Subject | Ophthalmology |
| EFTS | 0.25 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (22 February 2027 - 28 May 2027)
(Distance learning)
2nd Non standard period (2 August 2027 - 5 November 2027) (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- OPHX 801
- Limited to
- PGDipOphthBS
- Eligibility
- Must be admitted to the PGDipOphthBS or a Certificate of Proficiency.
- Contact
Postgraduate Administrator: ophtpostgradadmin.medicine@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Course Co-ordinator: Dr Selassie Tagoh
Other practising ophthalmologists with a particular interest in basic sciences have been selected from throughout Australasia to teach on this course.
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.
This paper is offered through Distance Learning using web-based teaching and interactive online tutorials. The lectures are available via the University of Sydney Canvas system, which you will have access to.
- Textbooks
Prescribed text:
- Clinical Anatomy of the Eye Snell RS and Lemp MA.
- The eye: Basic sciences in practice (5th Ed) Forrester JV, Dick AD, McMenamin PG, Roberts F & Pearlman, 2021.
- Grigg JRB, Jamieson RV. Clinical embryology and development of the eye. In: Lyons CJ, Lambert SR, Taylor D, Hoyt CS, eds. Pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, Sixth edition. edn., London: Elsevier, 2022; 16-31. (note: Chapter 2 only).
Additional texts:
- Histology of the Human Eye M Hogan J Alvarado, J Wedell WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1971. (Photocopies of this text are kept by past Part 1 holders).
- Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed) Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1989.
- The Human Nervous System, An Anatomical Viewpoint (5th Ed) ML Barr and JA Kiernan Harper and Row, Philadelphia 1988.
- Wolff’s Anatomy of the Eye and Orbit (8th ed). AJ Bron et al (eds) HK Lewis, London 1997.
- Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of the Visual System, 3rd Edition, By Lee Ann Remington.
- Westmead Eye Manual: Ophthalmic Clinical Examination (2nd Edition). Fung AT, Parker R, Sim B, McCall D, Yun S, Guan R, 2021.
Some reference texts are expensive. It is suggested that the student should consult local hospital and medical school libraries to see if any of the above texts are available. It is also suggested that online bookstores may be able to provide the texts at a cheaper price than local bookstores (beware of security issues). Have a look in local secondhand university bookstores or ask local previous candidates (or ophthalmology registrars) if they wish to part with their pre-loved texts (if they allow it, we may be able to provide you contact details). The Medical Society Bookshop and the Coop Bookshop (Sydney) both have been informed of the essential texts for the course. On the ophthalmology forum you may be able to pick up secondhand copies of textbooks or borrow them for the term. The lectures will reference relevant texts and will provide additional relevant material (copyright allowing).
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Critical thinking.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Describe the normal anatomical organisation of the human eye, orbit, and its contents and the head and neck in terms of cells, tissues, organs and systems
- Describe the principal components of the human visual system and their function in detail
- Describe how diagnostic imaging may be used in ophthalmic practice