Refractive Surgery 2

Standalone module

Ready to advance your skills in refractive surgery, mastering laser and non-laser techniques, managing complex cases like keratoconus and understanding presbyopia treatments and medico-legal requirements?

Location: Online via distance learning

Course type
Professional short courses/CPD
Entry requirements
Duration

Four months

Start date

Module overview

Studied via distance learning, this standalone module builds on foundational knowledge in refractive surgery and explores advanced techniques in both laser and non-laser procedures. It addresses the management of complex refractive errors, such as keratoconus and high order aberrations, as well as presbyopia. Emphasis is placed on good medical practice, including medico-legal considerations and result auditing.

Topics include PRK, LASEK, Epi-LASIK, LASIK and SMILE, as well as lens-based procedures like phakic IOLs. The module also covers the correction of regular and irregular astigmatism, strategies for high ametropia, and current practices for keratoconus.

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

Module tutor(s): Professor Shehzad Naroo

This module is based on the Refractive Surgery syllabus outlined by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Completion of both Refractive Surgery and Refractive Surgery 2 modules prepares candidates for the RCOphth Refraction Certificate exam. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists recognises these modules as preparation for the examinations.

Why Refractive Surgery 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. Enables you to master techniques in both laser and non-laser refractive surgery and address complex cases including unusual refractive errors and irregular optics such as keratoconus and high-order aberrations.
  2. Provides you with strategies for treating presbyopia and understanding good medical practice, including medico-legal requirements and auditing results.
  3. Builds on your knowledge gained from the Refractive Surgery module, preparing you for the RCOphth certificate in refractive surgery exam.

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

  • Understand techniques involved in laser refractive surgery.
  • Understand techniques involved in lens-based refractive surgery.
  • Apply techniques for high refractive error, presbyopia and irregular astigmatism.
  • Demonstrate good medical practice for refractive surgery.
coursepage_productdesign_students

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 clinician in the field of ophthalmology or optometry, including nurses, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians.

Fees

UK students (2024/25)
£1,300

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 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 deliveryLearning hours
Independent activity120 hours
Structured activity40 hours
Formative assessment activity40 hours
Total200 hours
  • Assessment
    The assessment for this standalone module comprises two components:

    Multiple choice questions (10%): 12 multiple choice questions following each of the 10 lectures, with an estimated total time of two hours.

    Coursework (90%): Three case records on refractive surgery management or a 3,000-word evidence-based essay on a topic from the lecture series, including reflections and references.
Say Hello to students at Aston University

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.

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.
Alumni

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.