The course aims to give ophthalmic practitioners the knowledge and skills to evaluate and manage cataract in both primary or secondary ophthalmic settings. The course will cover the anatomy and physiology of the lens with an overview of normal lens development and developmental defects. It will examine the pathophysiology of the development of cataract and the evaluation and management of cataracts in the hospital eye service and shared care community practice.

The course will be delivered via blended learning; there will be an online and a face to face component.

The online component will be made available to students before the face to face component. It is expected that students will have a thorough knowledge of the material through self-study before attending the face to face days. Students will be expected to input 8 hours a week on average for the duration of the online component. There will be assignments and activities that will need to be completed as part of study. There will be online Forums so that students can discuss aspects of the course with each other.
 Students will then attend a one day face to face component which will consist of tutorials, case discussion and critical thinking exercises and assessments. 
There will then be an assessment approximately six weeks after the face to face component.
The curriculum will provide you with the skills and knowledge to:

Recognise the signs and symptoms of cataract
 Perform a comprehensive examination of a patient with cataract
 Inform patients about cataract, the prognosis and management, providing them with relevant and accessible information and advice
 Make appropriate management decisions in a patients with cataract
 Plan with patients their target refraction and demonstrate an understanding of IOL power calculations
 Identify patients who are at higher risk of complications during cataract surgery and explain the risks to the patient
 Evaluate the principles of consent, where it applies and demonstrate an understanding of the consent process
 Analyse the surgical techniques that are used to minimise intraocular complications, maximise visual outcome and optimise patient satisfaction
 Perform a post-operative assessment of a patient who has undergone cataract surgery
 Identify and appropriately manage post-operative complications
 To understand the roles and aims of non-medical ophthalmic professionals in cataract shared care and appraise local cataract pathways in achieving these aims
Assessment

Knowledge based consolidation quizzes are built into the e-learning units for students to get a swift gauge of personal knowledge acquisition in advance of examination

The assessment involves:

Patient management case scenarios 
 Single best answer multiple choice exam