Ocular Surface Disease Management

Module overview

Studied via distance learning, this standalone module aims to deepen your understanding of ocular surface disease, including its detection, advanced management and monitoring. You will learn to differentiate between various ocular surface diseases based on clinical signs and symptoms and effectively detect and monitor these conditions using tools like corneal topography, tear film analysis and meibomian gland evaluation.

The module covers anterior eye imaging, dry eye definitions and pathophysiology, lid examination and management, ocular allergy and chronic ocular surface disease. It also addresses evidence-based contact lens management and therapeutic contact lens use, helping you make informed decisions on both standard and emerging diagnostic technologies.

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

Module tutor(s): Professor James Wolffsohn

Why Ocular Surface Disease Management at Aston University?

Excellent prospects

Ranked 2nd in the UK for ‘graduate prospects – on track’ (Optometry, Ophthalmics and Orthoptics; Complete University Guide, 2025)

Specialist facilities

Access cutting-edge equipment in our ophthalmic simulation suite

Research active staff

Learn from passionate research-active academics in specialist areas of optometry, ophthalmics and orthoptics

Objectives and outcomes

Enhances your knowledge and understanding of ocular surface disease, including its detection, advanced management and monitoring.

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

Demonstrate knowledge of the differential diagnosis of the various types of ocular surface disease based on clinical signs and symptoms.
Detect and monitor ocular surface disease based on clinical outcomes related to corneal topography, inflammation and infection, tear film and meibomian gland structure and function, and determine the best treatment modality based on clinical effectiveness in controlling the disease.
Determine the limitations of standard clinical diagnostic tests for ocular surface disease based on scientific evidence and make informed decisions when evaluating new technologies for the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease.

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)

Read our guide to applying

Entry requirements

You should be a registered optometrist with the UK General Optical Council (GOC) or another eye care professional.

Fees

UK students (2025/6)

£700 per 10 credits (£1,400 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.

More information on fees

Delivery and assessment

This course is delivered via distance learning. 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.

Method of delivery	Learning hours
Small group activity	4 hours
Independent activity	156 hours
Structured activity	20 hours
Formative assessment activity	20 hours
Total	200 hours

Assessment
The assessment for this standalone module comprises two components:

Multiple choice questions (15%): One-hour open-book tests at the end of each lecture.

Coursework (85%): Either three case records with fully referenced reflections on the management of various ocular surface diseases, or a 3,000-word evidence-based essay on a chosen aspect of ocular surface disease diagnosis or management (topic to be agreed with the module leader).

Hello, what would you like to ask us?

Hello! We are a team of current Aston University students from various parts of the world, studying a wide range of postgraduate subjects.

Feel free to ask us anything about studying at Aston University.

Ask us anything now

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. Clinical application and content may allow eye care professionals to widen and specialise their mode of practice.