ORTH 4994
Topics: Optics for Orthoptists
4 credits
Tuesdays 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (Room 104)
Thursdays 8:00 – 10:00 am (Room 103)
Old Main, 1st floor
HENRIETTA SCHMOLL
School of Health
Orthoptics
Course Syllabus
Instructor Information
Name: Lisa P. Rovick, MHSc, CO, COMT
Office location: Minneapolis Campus. Old Main #410
Phone: 651-690-7778
E-mail
Cell: 612-716-4418
lprovick@stkate.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 1:00 – 2:30; additional times by appointment
Name: Aaron Shukla, PhD, COMT
Office location: Minneapolis Campus. Old Main #412
Phone: 651-690-7862
Office Hours: Tuesday, Friday 10:00-12:00 (by appointment only during these times)
Course Description
This course introduces principles of physical, geometric and physiologic optics.
Physical optics covers concepts of light, in which light is treated as part of the
electromagnetic spectrum, and whose properties may be explained by waveforms as well
as particles. Topics include wave and particle theory, polarization, interference,
fluorescence, and lasers.
Geometric optics topics include the behavior of light in various media, ray tracing to
examine refraction, reflection, diffraction, dispersion, lenses and mirrors. Additional
topics include object-image relationships, magnification, graphical analysis of lenses,
spherical and spherocylindrical lenses, optical crosses and astigmatism.
Physiologic optics examines the human eye as an optical system through discussion of
image formation, optical relationships of eye structures, accommodation, amplitudes and
the effects of aging, refractive errors, astigmatism, prisms, Prentice’s Rule, and the
basics of retinoscopy and refraction. Special attention is paid to the clinical use of prism
in the alleviation of double vision.
In addition, an introduction to contact lenses and spectacles is also included, with
discussions of contact lens types, fitting procedures, care and storage procedures,
indications for use, complications, patient instruction, spectacle ordering, dispensing and
verification techniques. Unique needs of pediatric and diplopic patients will be covered, as
well as treatment alternatives available to meet those needs. Trouble-shooting and
problem solving techniques will be addressed in relation to patient complaints
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Course Goals
The overall goal for this course is to provide a knowledge and skill base upon which all of
the additional courses in the orthoptic major are built. The optical concepts and clinical
skills introduced in this course provide a framework for the clinical experience which
begins in the next semester.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
describe the nature of light as a wave or a particle
discuss the electromagnetic spectrum, polarization, interference, fluorescence and lasers
define Snell’s Law
describe graphical analysis and refraction
describe lenses, vergence, magnification, and notation of optical data
discuss the application of physical and geometric optics to the human eye
describe the fundamental optics governing the production of images on the retina
describe binocular vision, refractive errors and their correction
describe the basic principles of retinoscopy and manifest refraction
measure corneal curvature and refractive errors in order to properly fit and evaluate rigid and
soft contact lenses
recognize complications resulting from contact lens wear
assess refractive errors
measure pupillary distance and frame parameters in order to determine the best selection of
spectacle lens and frame for each patient
perform basic spectacle frame adjustments
Course Assignments
Criteria for Quality Work:
This is a BRIEF overview of required assignments. Criteria for quality work and specific
requirements needed to complete each assignment will be given in a timely manner. Specific
questions pertaining to every assignment are addressed when it is assigned. As appropriate to the
assignment, project, or activity, students who fail to meet the quality work criteria may revise work
to meet these descriptors. All revised assignments must be returned to the instructors no later
than the next class session to receive credit. Late revised assignments are not accepted, unless in
excused-absence situations as agreed upon with the instructors.
1. Attendance/Preparation/Participation (max. 20 pts. /week)
Evidenced in on-going assessment (e.g. class discussions, group projects during class) 5
pts./session
Weekly content quiz (based on material presented and discussed during that week) 10 pts./quiz
this quiz may be either a written quiz or a skill test (see #2)
2. Reading and Written Assignments/Quiz (10 pts./quiz; points for assignments vary)
Complete readings PRIOR to assigned class. Quiz will be given at the beginning of class every
Tuesday based on assigned readings. If you have any questions about readings, be sure to ask them
before class.
Homework assignments and labs, as assigned.
Unless specified, homework is due in the following class period taught by the assigning
professor.
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3. Examinations (points vary by examination)
Interim major quiz based on specified topics
May be short answer, matching, labeling diagrams, multiple choice
Midterm exam based on all material covered to date
Multiple choice only
Midterm clinical skills exam
Final exam based on all material covered in the course
Multiple choice only
Final clinical skills exam
Grading Scale
The final grade will represent student performance on weekly quizzes, completion of homework
assignments, interim quizzes, midterm and final examinations. Student attendance and class
participation will be included in the final assessment.
The grading policy followsAverage of all weekly content quizzes.....................................................…A
(the lowest scoring quiz in each section will be dropped)
Average % of all interim quiz scores ………………………………………………………..B
Average of A + B............................................................................................................................C
Average % of all homework assignments………………… …………………………………………….….............D
Midterm multiple choice examination score ……………………………..……..…..E
Final multiple examination examination score …………………………..………….F
Average of E + F............................................................................................................................G
Average of C + D + G............................................................................H
Midterm clinical skills exam ………………………………………………………………………I
Final clinical skills exam………………………………………………………………………………J
Average of I + J………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………K
AVERAGE of H + K………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………L
Class participation points……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………….M
Final percentage for course ……
L + M Final Score ____
Final course grade will be determined by converting the final point score to a letter according to
the following scheme:
Final Percentage
Final course grade
90 – 100
A
80 – 89
B
70 – 79
C
60 – 69
D
< 60
F
A final percentage of 70 or greater (C or better) in this course is required for continued
enrollment in the orthoptic major. Exceptions to this rule may be made at the discretion of the
program director.
INCOMPLETES: “A grade of incomplete is given only when unusual circumstances deem it
appropriate. Ordinarily, such circumstances would involve matters that are not wholly within a
student’s control, such as illness. Students who wish to receive an incomplete must complete a
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Petition for Incomplete Grade form (available online
http://minerva.stkate.edu/RecOffFrms.nsf/Incomp4?OpenForm ) no later than the last day of the
term in which course requirements are due. The student must be making satisfactory progress in
the course at the time the petition is approved by the instructor. Incompletes are awarded at the
instructor’s discretion” (Petition for an Incomplete Grade, from Registrar’s Section St. Catherine
University Website).
The “Legal” Section
ATTENDANCE
• “Regular class attendance is expected of all students. Students are responsible for class
assignments whether present or not. Absences for any reason will be taken into account in the
evaluation of the student’s work. Attendance will be taken daily at the beginning of class.
• Absences will affect your grade because ongoing and interactive assessments are done during
classes. Attendance and thoughtful participation are crucial to your learning and provide evidence
of it. Class participation points for excused absences can be made up; they cannot be made up for
unexcused absences.
• If you cannot get to class (e.g. illness, car won’t start, relative dies), contact me before
class begins. Instructors need to be informed about any absence before class or it will be
unexcused.
• If you are going to miss your clinic day, please contact me AND the clinical preceptor.
• Students who miss class are responsible for asking classmates and/or instructors for notes and
picking up handouts/materials.
We will take attendance at the beginning of each class, per St. Catherine University policy.
ASSIGNMENTS
• All students are expected to turn in assignments by the printed DUE dates. Every assignment
for this class must be completed in order to receive a final grade for the course.
• It is your responsibility to contact the course instructor in advance of the due date, if you are
struggling with an assignment. The faculty is happy to work with you, but you are
responsible to ask for help.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
• “AT ST. CATHERINE’S WOMEN NOT ONLY HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, BUT EVERY
OPPORTUNITY. Everything we do here – both inside and outside of the classroom – is designed to
provide the opportunities to build the skills and values that not only help students succeed in
college, but inspire them to excel in their personal and professional lives” (2000-2007
Undergraduate Academic Catalog, p. 5).
• As instructors, we shall make every attempt to deal with all students equally. We encourage you
to talk with us about your concerns of equal opportunity in the classroom.
• If you have a documented disability that requires an accommodation, please provide me with
the accommodation plan no later than the second class session.
• “The O'Neill Center for Academic Development addresses the diverse academic needs and
interests of students. The professional and student staff offer programs, services and facilities
designed to promote academic achievement through the Writing/Reading Center, the Math Center
and the Resources for Disabilities Center. The O'Neill Center is located on the ground level of the
Coeur de Catherine on the St. Paul Campus. The phone number is 651.690.6563.” This information
was taken from the center’s home page at http://minerva.stkate.edu/offices/academic/oneill.nsf.
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RESPONSIBILITIES
• It is our responsibility to facilitate your learning. However …
• Since no teacher can learn anything for you, learning is, in the final analysis, your
responsibility. Make the most of this opportunity.
• To ensure a productive learning environment be respectful of ALL, please turn off
electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, and personal stereos. Children, friends
or relatives of enrolled students may not attend class sessions unless prior consent of
the instructor is given.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
•The mission of St. Catherine University provides for excellence in education through the
search for truth and justice. In accordance with the mission, the college expects all
students and faculty to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity, and acts of
academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not
limited to, the following examples of conduct:
 violating the academic rights of another student;
 cheating on assignments or exams, including the use of crib notes or other
unauthorized materials;
 submitting papers or assignments written by another person (student,
commercial agency, etc);
 copying from another student’s paper;
 stealing copies of exams or answer sheets;
 conveying test items to other students;
 plagiarizing on papers and other assignments;
 consenting to have one’s work used by another student as her/his own;
 falsely reporting information or misrepresenting actions in clinical or classroom
laboratories;
 depriving other students of necessary course materials by stealing books,
periodicals or other materials from the library, media center, labs, etc.;
 submitting the same paper, or substantially similar papers, to meet the
requirements of more than one course without approval of the appropriate
instructors;
 interfering in a harmful way with another student’s work, such as sabotaging
another student’s laboratory experiment, or entering or deleting data in
another student’s computer account, or
 unlawfully duplicating copyrighted materials.
…Academic Affairs website
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Texts / Materials
REQUIRED:



Cassin, B., Fundamentals for Ophthalmic Technical Personnel, 1995, WB
Saunders
Shukla, AV, Clinical Optics Primer, 2009, SLACK Inc.
Stein, HA et al., The Ophthalmic Assistant: A guide for Ophthalmic Medical
Personnel, 2000,7thEd, (880)
SCU Blackboard
• This is a Blackboard supported course for the clinical skills portion of the course.
• How do I access Blackboard?
You can access Blackboard directly at http://blackboard.stkate.edu/
Links are also available on the LeGuide under “Technology Resources.”
• Additional questions about using Blackboard are answered at:
http://minerva.stkate.edu/ithelpguides.nsf/dir/BlackboardFAQ
• It is your responsibility to check Blackboard for weekly messages, updates, assignment
folders, websites, and other support material for this course.
This is a Desire 2 Learn supported course for the Optics portion of the course. In previous
semesters course documents (Lesson Plans in WORD and slides in PowerPoint) were uploaded to
Blackboard. The university has acquired a new course management system – Desire2Learn
(D2L). Course documents will be uploaded to this portal, which may be accessed at:
https://stkate.desire2learn.com/
Your USERNAME and PASSWORD will be the same as in KateWay.
If needed, please call the HELP DESK at 651-690-6204.
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Tentative Class Schedule (subject to change, as needed)
Date
Tuesday,
9/13
Tuesday,
9/20
Tuesday,
9/27
Tuesday
10/4
Aaron Teach
Topic
Readings/assignments
Physics Assessment
Test
Metric Syst., Optical
Math
Light, Electro. Spectrum
Lasers, Polarization
Interference,
Fluorescence
Speed of light,
Refractive Index
Snell’s Law
Critical Angle
Total internal reflection
Types of lenses
Power of lenses
Vergence & lenses
Magnification by lenses
1:00-2:00 QUIZ 1
2-3 Mirrors, Prisms &
dispersion
Lisa Teach
Readings
Syllabus 7V
7VID Cassin 196-202
JCAHPO Learning Systems
Lensometry module
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.pe
arl.stkate.edu/pmc/articles/P
MC2258122/pdf/15456110_v105_p252.pdf
7VII
8III
Syllabus 7IVN
Cassin p.194-195
vonNoorden Chapter 5
Date
Thursday,
9/8
Topic
Introduction to optical
lenses
Refractive errors
lensometry
Shukla Chapters 1-3
Thursday
9/15
Accommodation Presbyopia
Optical notation
bifocals
Shukla Chapters 4-7
Thursday,
9/22
NO CLASS library with
JCAHPO learning systems
Lensometry and
retinoscopy/refinement
Lab practice
Shukla Chapters 8, 10,
11, 13
Thursday,
9/29
Retinoscopy, working
distance
Syllabus 8I
Cassin pp. 187-196
JCAHPO Learning Systems
Retinoscopy module
WelchAllyn Streak
Retinoscopy manual
Assignment
1 & 2 due
at
beginning
of class
Assignment
3
Essay, multiple choice,
label diagrams
Shukla Chapters 9, 14,
15
Thursday,
10/6
Retinoscopy/refinement
JCAHPO Learning Systems
Refractometry module
Reichert Clinical Manual on
Refraction
Assignment
4
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Assignment
Assignment
1
Assignment
2
Date
Tuesday,
10/11
Tuesday
10/18
Tuesday,
10/25
Tuesday,
11/1
Tuesday,
11/8
Topic
Spherical lenses
Cylindrical lenses
Spherocylindrical lenses
Optical cross
Conoid of Sturm
Optical system of the
eye
Power of a curved
surface
Accommodation & Age
Readings/assignments
Shukla Chapters 16-19
Date
Thursday,
10/13
Topic
Prism and diplopia
Reading prism, Fresnel
prisms
Readings
Syllabus 7Q
Cassin pp 200-202
Assignment
Assignment
5
Shukla Chapters 2013
Thursday
10/20
No Class
Assignment
6
1:00-2:00 MIDTERM
EXAM
2-3 Amplitude of
Accommodation
Refractive Errors
(myopia)
Refractive errors
(hyperopia)
Astigmatism and its
sources
Simple, compound,
mixed astigmatism
Prentice’s rule,
Decentration, Induced
Prism
Introduction to
spectacles, frames, box,
measurements
Vertex, Optical Center,
PD
Single Vision &
multifocal lenses
Base curve, safety,
coatings, tints, blockers
Covers all topics
presented up to this
date. Multiple choice.
Shukla Chapters
23,24
Thursday,
10/27
Lab practice
JCAHPO learning systems
Review segments on
lensometry, retinoscopy
and refinement
Complete sections on
keratometry
CLAO contact lens module
Spectacles: types, parts
dispensing, verification
Measuring PD
Cassin pp. 208 - 212
Shukla Chapters 20,
24, 8, 25
THURSD
AY, 11/3
Clinical Skills Midterm
Exam
(lensometry, PD, Fresnel
prism application,
retinoscopy and
refinement)
Assignments
3-6 due at
beginning of
class
Assignment
7
Assignment
8
Shukla Chapter26, 27
Thursday,
11/10
Trouble shooting spectacles
and contact lenses...patient
complaints
New skills: slit lamp exam
Applanation tonometry
Cassin Chapter 23, pp. 177181, 181-186
Assignment
9
Stein, Chap. 11 & 12
Page 8
11/15
Tilt, prism and
decentration, slab off
and aphakic lenses.
Basics of Contact
Lenses (CL), Soft CL
C (p. 147-150); S (p.
213 - 216); Sh (Chap.
26); S (p. 186-187;
217) Sh (Chap 27); C
(p. 335-336); S (Chap.
13, 14), C (p. 337-339;
341-343);
S (Chap. 14)
11/17
11/22
Rigid Gas Permeable CL
CL Review
11/24
Tuesday,
11/29
Retinoscopy &
Refractometry
(Refinement)
COURSE review
Quiz #2 (Topics 23,
24, 26-42)
FINAL WRITTEN
EXAM
S (Ch. 13; p. 319);
C (p. 336-337; 339341)
Cassin (p. 187-196);
JCAHPO Learning
Systems DVD
Essay; multiple choice;
label diagrams
Tuesday,
12/6
Tuesday,
12/13
Tuesday,
12/20
9:00 11:00 am
Jan. 3
FINAL EXAM:
CLINICAL SKILLS
J-Term starts
Contact lenses: care and
handling
Polymer Technology “Fitting GP
lenses” CD
Cassin pp. 169-175, 203-207
Assignment
10, 11
New skills: pupil
examination
keratometry
No Class
Thursday,
12/1
Managing Compliance issues
with glasses
Thursday,
12/8
Review
Skills practice
Thanksgiving holiday
Syllabus 8 IV
Assignment
12
Assignments
7-12 due
Closed book
Finals week begins on Thursday, December 15
Comprehensive
Multiple choice
(includes: lensometry,history, acuity, retinoscopy/refinement, slit lamp exam, applanation tonometry, pupil
exam)
**students must pass this skills exam to be allowed to begin J-term clinical rotations.
Report to your clinics, as assigned. Communication with instructor and other students will be accomplished
via electronic discussion board.
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