OPB451 - Visual Science 2
General Tips:
- Some of the concepts in this course can be tough to wrap your head around. Attending lectures and asking questions on the spot can be very helpful. Consider using Generative AI as an alternative approach when grappling with difficult concepts, as it can occasionally provide helpful insights. However, make sure to fact-check the information, given that AI sometimes generates inaccurate answers.
Slide Exam:
- Any diagrams, graphs, images in the lectures can be assessed. As per usual, make use of Anki/quizlet to study. Learn the axes, titles, units and interpretations of graphs presented in the lectures. Make sure to revise consistently!
Final Exam:
- Try to understand the concepts of the lecture contents on the first week of release. Then write down notes in your own words so that you can understand the concept again with ease later when you revise. I regretted not writing those notes as I kept forgetting the concept and had to reunderstand & relearn the concept each time I revised. Final exams questions are long essay style answer questions and require a good understanding of the theory.
OPB556 - Ocular Examination Skills 1
Skills Exam 1 (Prelims & Subjective Refraction):
- Plan an efficient routine that you will follow in prelims. Keep practicing them until it becomes muscle memory. For subjective refraction, always remember to push for more plus and do not over-minus.
Skills Exam 2 (Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy):
- Make a document with all details of the slit lamp techniques, including slit lamp setup (angles, brightness, beam width, focus, etc) and diagrams or photos of it set up. When practising try out both types of slit lamps, as you don’t get to choose in the exam. Make sure to practice using the slit lamps with cameras at least once. Examiners need to see what you are looking at through the screen. Even if you can see structures through the slit lamp, they might not be visible to the examiners on the screen.
Final Exam:
- It is not as content-heavy compared to many other subjects, but information in the lectures that you may think is irrelevant can turn up in exams (such as drawing focal line diagrams and providing proof of random equations). Carkeet usually gives hints on what may be in the exams and the exam question styles.
OPB550 - Diseases of the Eye 1
General Tips:
- While the content is straightforward memorization rather than complex theory, it is very content-heavy. Stay on top of lectures each week and revise consistently. Attend your in-person interactive lectures after watching your online recorded lectures. Scott covers case-based scenarios with management, which helps with consolidation and provides good revision.
- Throughout the semester, creating a document with all the pathologies, their signs and symptoms, management, and potential differentials will be extremely helpful for final preparations.
Slide Exam:
- There are 2 slide exams total: one in the mid-sem and one in the final week. Prepare by creating Anki/Quizlet decks using the images provided in lectures. Questions can include inheritance patterns, signs/symptoms, management, and associations, so include these in your cards.
Final Exam:
- Most questions are case-based scenarios. Using given information like signs, symptoms, you may have to make a diagnosis, provide differential diagnoses with reasoning, and mention how you will manage and treat the patient.
OPB654 - Ocular Pharmacology
Practicals (Leading the Prac):
- Similar to the Ocular Anatomy & Physiology course, you and your group will lead 1 practical out of the 4. Even though it is not your group's turn to lead, read through the practical materials and revise the relevant lecture content before attending. This ensures you know what to do and can make the most out of the session. Worksheets completed during the practicals are also assessed.
Group Assisgnment (Case Study):
- Ensure you do proper research based on Australia, as therapeutics in other countries (like America) may differ. All details must be correct and relevant for an Australian optometrist.
- Katrina also asks questions at the end of presentations. It would be a good idea for the group to know the entire presentation well and understand it, not just the specific parts researched. Also justify every choice you have made in deciding the treatment with evidence. If your group prescribes a specific medication but doesn't provide a reason during the presentation, she will ask for one at the end. Other than that Katrina is very generous with her marking.
Final Exam:
- Katrina covers a large number of ophthalmic medications, including many discontinued ones, and all of them are assessable. Throughout the semester use flashcards to commit these medications, their properties, and their uses to memory. It is also useful to maintain a master document or page listing all the drugs so you can easily locate a drug's information when needed.