Overview
Physiology of the human eye and visual systems and related neuro-physiology, including the scientific application of psychophysical testing as a basis for current and future ophthalmic clinical practice.
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 Physiology |
|---|---|
| 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 802
- 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 Fransec 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
Suggested Textbooks:
Some are reference texts and 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 lectures will reference relevant texts and will provide additional relevant material (copyright allowing). The Medical Society Bookshop and Coop Bookshop (Sydney) have both been informed of the prescribed texts.Prescribed texts:
- Adler's Physiology of the Eye (11th Ed) Kaufman ed, Saunders Elsevier 2011
- Review of Medical Physiology (21st Ed) WF Ganong, McGraw Hill 2003
Additional texts:
- Biochemistry of the Eye RE Anderson (ed), American Academy of Ophthalmology Manuals Program, 1983
- Physics for Ophthalmologists DJ Coster (ed) Churchill Livingstone, Sydney 1997
- The Eye: Basic Sciences and Practice. Forrester JV, Dick AD, McMenamin P, Lee WR. WB Saunders 2003. ISBN: 0702025410
- Duane's Foundations of Clinical Ophthalmology. JB Lippincott Co, Philadelphia
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Describe the normal physiological functioning of the human eye and nervous system
- Describe the principal physiological laws and phenomena that apply to these systems
- Describe how these physiological processes are measured and the limitations of such tests
Overview
Physiology of the human eye and visual systems and related neuro-physiology, including the scientific application of psychophysical testing as a basis for current and future ophthalmic clinical practice.
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 Physiology |
|---|---|
| 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 802
- 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 texts:
- Kaufman, P. L., Alm, A., Levin, L. A., Nilsson, S. F. E., Ver Hoeve, J., & Wu, S. M. (Eds). (2011). Adler's Physiology of the Eye (11th ed.). Saunders Elsevier.
- Ganong, W. F. (2003). Review of Medical Physiology (21st ed.). McGraw Hill.
Additional texts:
- Anderson, R. E. (Ed). (1983). Biochemistry of the Eye. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
- Coster, D. J. (Ed). (1994). Physics for Ophthalmologists. Elsevier.
- Forrester, J. V., Dick, A. D., McMenamin, P., & Lee, W. R. (2001). The Eye: Basic Sciences and Practice (2nd ed.). Saunders. ISBN: 0702025410
- Tasman, W. (1992). Duane's Foundations of Clinical Ophthalmology. Lippincott.
- Skalicky, S. E. (2016). Ocular and Visual Physiology: Clinical Application. Springer-Verlag.
- Leigh, J. L., & Zee, D. S. (2015). The Neurology of Eye Movements (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Fung, A. T., Parker, R., Sim, B., McCall, D., Yun, S., & Guan, R. (2021). Westmead Eye Manual: Ophthalmic Clinical Examination (2nd ed.).
Some are reference texts and 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 lectures will reference relevant texts and will provide additional relevant material (copyright allowing). The Medical Society Bookshop and Coop Bookshop (Sydney) have both been informed of the prescribed texts.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Describe the normal physiological functioning of the human eye and nervous system.
- Describe the principal physiological laws and phenomena that apply to these systems.
- Describe how these physiological processes are measured and the limitations of such tests.