Program Overview

Master of Orthoptics (Research)

The Master of Orthoptics (Research) is a research-based degree that focuses on the development and progression of myopia, vision testing methods, and the epidemiology of visual impairment, amblyopia, and strabismus.

Supervisors

• French, Amanda: Development and progression of myopia; vision testing methods and the epidemiology of visual impairment, amblyopia, and strabismus
  • Research areas: myopia, vision testing, visual impairment, amblyopia, strabismus
• Golzan, Mojtaba: Ocular imaging techniques; mechanical and structural properties of retinal vessels; dynamic physiological interactions between the eye and the brain
  • Research areas: ocular imaging, retinal vessels, physiological interactions
• Rose, Kathryn: Public health approaches in eye care for the prevention, detection, and early intervention of eye conditions such as childhood refractive error, strabismus, and amblyopia, and the visual function of people who have had a stroke
  • Research areas: public health, eye care, childhood refractive error, strabismus, amblyopia, stroke

Current Research Projects

• An evaluation of vision screening protocols in young children: This thesis aims to identify the ideal age for childhood vision screening and whether visual acuity alone is sufficient in detecting childhood ocular conditions or if additional tests are required.
• Supporting patient-centred orthoptic care for patients with communication impairments: This project involves surveying orthoptists to investigate current confidence levels and knowledge about communicating with patients with dual visual and communication impairments.
• The role of ocular biometrics and validated objective measures of environmental exposures as determinants of myopia risk: This research primarily involves the validation and comparison of a novel monitoring device that is able to objectively quantify two major environmental factors for myopia; near work and light exposure.
• Predicting Glaucomatous Progression Using Dynamic Imaging Applied to a Novel Tablet-based Ophthalmoscope: This thesis determines the feasibility of a novel tablet-based ophthalmoscope in detecting SVPs and objectively quantifying them.
• Visual rehabilitation of stroke survivors: Improving the referral pathway and access to care: This project is a two-stage study with a focus on care provision for stroke survivors with visual impairment, aiming to determine current post-stroke vision care practices, identify the vision care needs of Australian stroke survivors, and develop a post-stroke vision care pathway.