Ophthalmic Education:

Principles and Guidelines of a Curriculum for Education of the Ophthalmic Specialist: Chapter 5. Contact Lens

On this page:

• Basic Level Goals: PGY-2
  
  
• Standard Level Goals: PGY-3
  
  
• Advanced Level Goals: PGY-4

Basic Level Goals: PGY-2

A. General Educational Objectives

1. Perform a basic contact lens (CL) history and examination, and to be aware of additional basic tests and questions that are required for CL patients with more complex needs.
   
   
2. Perform the techniques of retinoscopy, refraction, and over-refraction in the routine CL patient.
   
   
3. Describe the optics of the soft contact lens and hard contact lens (e.g., rigid gas permeable CL); base curve changes, the lacrimal lens, and the optic zone.
   
   
4. Describe conversion of a spectacle prescription (Rx) to a CL Rx, including method of converting from plus to minus cylinder.
   
   
5. Describe basic CL design, using appropriate terminology.
   
   
6. Describe techniques for and perform basic CL fitting.
   
   
7. Describe selection of CL candidates with non-complex needs.
   
   
8. Use auxiliary CL instruments and tests (e.g., trial set, fluorescein testing).
   
   
9. Perform CL verification for vision correction, fit, and comfort.
   
   
10. Describe contraindications for contact lens use.

B. Cognitive Skills

1. Describe fundamentals of ophthalmic optics in CL management (e.g., CL choices, techniques for fitting individuals).
   
   
2. List indications for contact lenses in non-complex cases.
   
   
3. Describe CL choices and techniques for fitting individuals with non-complex CL needs.

C. Technical/Surgical Skills

1. Perform advanced retinoscopy techniques in a CL patient.
   
   
2. Perform advanced refraction techniques in a CL patient, including diagnostic fitting.
   
   
3. Perform techniques to verify and inspect contact lenses.
   
   
4. Utilize appropriate teaching skills to instruct patients in the safe insertion, removal, and care of contact lenses.

Standard Level Goals: PGY-3

A. General Educational Objectives

1. Perform a more advanced CL history and examination, employing additional tests and questions appropriate for patients with more complex CL needs (e.g., keratoconus, difficult CL fittings).
   
   
2. Perfom retinoscopy and refraction in the CL patient with more complex needs (e.g., keratoconus, postkeratoplasty).
   
   
3. Describe the more advanced optics of the soft contact lens (SCL) and hard contact lens (e.g., rigid gas permeable CL); base curve changes, the lacrimal lens, and the optic zone.
   
   
4. Describe more advanced CL design (e.g., special lenses and special CL shapes or materials).
   
   
5. Describe and perform more advanced CL fitting (e.g., postkeratoplasty).
   
   
6. Describe selection of CL candidates with more complex needs (e.g., postsurgical).
   
   
7. Use auxiliary CL instruments in patients with more complex needs (e.g., post-surgical topography).
   
   
8. Perform CL verification for vision, fit, and comfort in therapeutic CL cases.

B. Cognitive Skills

1. Describe more advanced concepts of ophthalmic optics in CL.
   
   
2. Describe indications for more advanced CL (e.g., therapeutic lenses).

C. Technical/Surgical Skills

1. Perform more advanced retinoscopy techniques in a CL patient.
   
   
2. Perform more advanced refraction techniques in CL patient, including diagnostic fitting.
   
   
3. Perform advanced techniques to verify and inspect contact lenses in patients with complex CL needs.
   
   
4. Perform more advanced CL fitting in patients with complex needs (e.g., keratoconus, CL in children, active corneal disease).
   
   
5. Describe and use the CL instruments in more complex cases.
   
   
6. Describe the more advanced CL complications. (e.g. microbial keratitis, sterile corneal infiltrates, preservative toxicity)
   
   
7. Perform appropriate CL selection (e.g., material selection, CL modification).
   
   
8. Perform corneal topography to fit contact lenses.

Advanced Level Goals: PGY-4

A. General Educational Objectives

1. Perform the most advanced techniques in CL history and examination, and understand what additional tests and questions are needed during the most complex CL examination (e.g., postkeratoplasty, multiple surgery, post-refractive, complex keratoconus fitting, active corneal disease).
   
   
2. Perfom retinoscopy and refraction in the CL patient with the most complex needs (e.g., keratoglobus, keratoconus, following open globe repair [e.g., corneal laceration] or multiple keratoplasty).
   
   
3. Describe the most advanced optics and applications of soft contact lenses and hard contact lenses (e.g., piggyback CL).
   
   
4. Describe the most advanced CL design, using appropriate terminology (e.g., special fittings, special lenses for difficult-to-fit patients).
   
   
5. Describe indications for and to perform the most advanced CL fitting (e.g., post-multiple keratoplasty or traumatic corneal repair).
   
   
6. Describe indications for and apply the most complex CL in special circumstances or for candidates presenting increased level of difficulty (e.g., postsurgical patients, children)
   
   
7. Use the auxiliary CL instruments in patients with the most complex needs (e.g., topography, fluorescein testing, diagnostic lenses).

B. Cognitive Skills

1. Describe the differences among CL material choices.
   
   
2. Describe methods of modifying a contact lens to improve comfort, vision, or physiological response.
   
   
3. Evaluate and to manage CL-induced complications.
   
   
4. Perform and interpret corneal topography in CL fitting.

C. Technical/Surgical Skills

1. Perform CL modification in complex cases.
   
   
2. Select the appropriate CL in more complex cases.

Next: Chapter 6. Cornea, External Diseases and Refractive Surgery

Also see: Table of Contents of the Principles and Guidelines of a Curriculum for Education of the Ophthalmic Specialist