Glaucoma

Professional Certificate

Ready to develop your expertise in glaucoma detection and management, elevate your skills in advanced monitoring and stay at the cutting edge of optometry and ophthalmology?

Location: Online via distance learning (plus some face-to-face sessions at Aston University, Birmingham)

Course type
Professional short courses/CPD
Entry requirements
Duration

Four months

Start date

Module overview

Studied via blended learning (online and face-to-face sessions), this professional certificate provides an in-depth examination of glaucoma, focusing on detection, investigation and advanced management techniques used in both optometry and ophthalmology. Ideal for clinicians seeking to enhance their expertise in glaucoma care, it offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and monitoring this complex condition.

The indicative content of the module includes glaucoma epidemiology, terminology, risk factors and classification. It covers the assessment of the optic nerve head using specialised techniques, instrumentation and test strategies, and the interpretation of visual field results alongside other clinical data. The module also addresses the use of clinical data in managing the disease, patient support and UK guidelines on glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring. Additional topics include new technologies for glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring, their advantages, limitations and potential for future clinical use.

This is a level 7 module (equivalent level of study to a postgraduate or masters degree) worth 20 credits.

Module tutor(s): Dr Howard Collins

Why Glaucoma at Aston University?

2nd in the uk
Excellent prospects
Ranked 2nd in the UK for ‘graduate prospects – on track’ (Optometry, Ophthalmics and Orthoptics; Complete University Guide, 2025)
Glasses
Specialist facilities
Access cutting-edge equipment in our ophthalmic simulation suite
Student satisfaction
Research active staff
Learn from passionate research-active academics in specialist areas of optometry, ophthalmics and orthoptics

Objectives and outcomes

  1. Enhances your knowledge and understanding of glaucoma, including its detection, advanced management and monitoring.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

  • Recognise the principles of glaucoma screening, considering prevalence and risk factors, and use this information to select the most appropriate diagnostic tests.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of differential diagnosis among various types of glaucoma based on clinical features.
  • Detect and monitor glaucoma by evaluating visual field appearance, optic nerve head and intraocular pressure, and determine the most effective treatment modality based on clinical outcomes.
  • Understand the limitations of standard clinical diagnostic tests for glaucoma, based on scientific evidence, and make informed decisions when evaluating new technologies for diagnosis and monitoring.
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Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: professionalcpd@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 09.30am-4.30pm)

Entry requirements

  • You must be a registered optometrist with the UK General Optical Council (GOC) to undertake the Professional Certificate (other eye care professionals should refer to our Glaucoma standalone module).

Glaucoma (standalone module)

Fees

UK students (2025/26)
£700 per 10 credits plus £149 practical workshop (£1549 for full module)

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

Delivery and assessment

  • This course is delivered via blended learning (online and face-to-face sessions). You will access learning materials for general study, revision and assessment via our virtual learning environment, Blackboard. This platform allows you to access a comprehensive range of study materials, scientific journals, e-journals, databases and much more.
  • Compulsory on-campus practical days take place on Thursday 3 April 2025 and Friday 4 April 2025.
Method of deliveryLearning hours
Small group activity4 hours
Independent activity166 hours
Structured activity20 hours
Formative assessment activity10 hours
Total200 hours
  • Assessment
    The assessment for this professional certificate comprises the following components:

    Multiple choice questions (20%) 

    Class test (10%) featuring visual recognition tasks (VRICS) where you analyse images and demonstrate clinical decision-making.

    Coursework (50%)

    Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OCSEs) (20%) which will assess your ability to perform, and interpret the results of, a range of clinical tests relevant to the assessment and management of glaucoma.

    You will be assessed during the compulsory practical workshop days, which for the March 2025 intake will be held at Aston University on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 April 2025.
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Career prospects

  • Our range of continuing professional development modules offers you the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in order to develop your career, it is also our ethos to equip you with the skills and knowledge to make a real difference in your field.
  • They have been designed to allow you to develop specialist knowledge in advanced optometric topics like Glaucoma. Clinical application and content may allow eye care professionals to widen and specialise their mode of practice.
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