Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledescript/in
dex.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Non Communicable Eye Disease
Module code
3404
Module Organisers
Covadonga Bascaran
Contact email
Covadonga.Bascaran@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ).
Credit
LSHTM award 15 credits on successful completion of this module.
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body.
Keywords
Health of the elderly; burden of disease; non communicable diseases; diabetes;
accidents/injury; gender and health; epidemiology
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To evaluate and propose alternative control strategies for non-communicable
adult causes of blindness/low vision, with emphasis on the students own work
situation.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
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Assess the evidence on the risk factors and management of cataract;
Interpret and use indicators used for evaluating cataract services (output,
outcome, and outlay);
Propose control strategies for the elimination of cataract blindness
appropriate to the student’s place of work;
Assess the evidence on the risk factors and management of glaucoma,
diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and refractive
errors;
Discuss the role of screening programmes in preventing blindness;
Examine the management and prevention challenges of blindness from
ocular injuries;
Assess the evidence on the magnitude, risk factors and management of low
vision and propose strategies for control appropriate to the student’s place
of work.
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Target audience
This module is compulsory for all MSc Public Health for Eye Care students.
CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):

Cataract pathophysiology, etiology and epidemiology. Management options
for cataract blindness and control strategies in specific settings.

Glaucoma pathophysiology, etiology and epidemiology. Management
options for glaucoma and control strategies in specific settings.

Diabetic retinopathy pathophysiology, etiology and epidemiology.
Management options for DR and control strategies in specific settings.

Refractive errors pathophysiology, etiology and epidemiology. Management
options for RE control strategies in specific settings;

AMD pathophysiology, etiology and epidemiology. Management options for
AMD and control strategies in specific settings.

Principles of screening programmes and their application in noncommunicable eye diseases.
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Epidemiology of ocular injuries as a cause of blindness and challenges in
management and prevention.
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Low vision: epidemiology, management and control strategies. Low vision
services.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Teaching and learning
methods

Lesson handouts provided;

EXCEL templates provided;
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RAAB software provided;

Reading list of essential and recommended texts and articles with every
session.
A combination of interactive seminars, group work and student presentations
will be used.
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Assessment details
1. Formative:
Templates: Complete the templates provided to you during the lectures in
cataract, refractive error and diabetic retinopathy. Identify the burden of
visual impairment due to each of those diseases, using a population specific to
your own setting.
2. Summative:
Essay: Using the burden data obtained in the templates, critically appraise the
public health interventions for the prevention and control of cataract,
refractive error and diabetic retinopathy. (1500 words, references not
included.)
This assessment will constitute 10% of the MSc overall mark.
Details of the assessment will be available from the beginning of the module
and students will hand in the assessments and send an electronic copy via
email to Lindsey Dowsen (TSO) by 15.00, 13 February 2015.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the task will be to submit a 2,000-word essay critically discussing existing
service delivery in their region for a proposed non communicable disease and
recommendations to improve it.
Assessment dates
Assessments will be due by 15.00 on 13 February 2015.
Re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt, the next assessment deadline will
be the standard School-recommended date in mid/late September 2015.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs between
Wednesday lunchtime and Friday afternoon.
Dates
For 2015-16, the module will start on Thursday 14 January 2016 and finish on
Friday 12 February 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot C2.
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the other half of the week for the C and D slots.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150hours, consisting of:

Contact time ≈ 72.5 hours

Directed self-study ≈ 15 hours

Self-directed learning ≈ 25 hours
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Assessment, review and revision ≈ 37.5 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
Previous experience in eye health care is required.
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English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically 12-20 per year; numbers may be capped due to
limitations in facilities or staffing.
Student selection
This module is compulsory for all MSc Public Health for Eye Care students.
Full Registration (full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is
required for this module and students must have previous experience in eye
health care.
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students and LSHTM research degree
students. Other applicants meeting the entry criteria will usually be offered a
place in the order applications are received, until any cap on numbers is
reached. Applicants may be placed on a waiting list and given priority the next
time the module is run.
Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:

For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.

If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time but, as places are limited, early application is recommended. All
applications should be submitted by at latest 8 weeks prior to the start of
the module. Formal registration will take place on the morning of the first
day of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16.
Last revised 20 June 2014 by Cova Bascaran.
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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