New provider of Higher Professional Certificate in Contact Lens Practice

Aston University’s Optometry School has been accredited as a new provider of the College of Optometrists Professional Higher Certificate in Contact Lens Practice. The resulting Higher Certificate will provide optometrists with the knowledge and clinical skills in the field of contact lens practice.

The course will be delivered via blended learning; through a series of online lectures, two training days and an assessment day, which will take place at the university. Students will be required to complete a log book and case record coursework assignments based on patients seen throughout the course of their practice. The course will last eleven months and the first cohort of students will start on 1 March 2018. The course is designed as equivalent to a 40 credit level 7 module.

The course is already available at two other universities in the UK; at City, University of London and Moorfields Eye Hospital/University College London.

Jackie Martin, director of education at the College said: “We’re delighted to welcome Aston University as a new provider for one of our accredited higher qualifications, enabling more optometrists to develop their skills and understanding in contact lens practice. We know that our higher qualifications are in demand and do enable optometrists to develop professionally and progress in their careers.”

Dr Amy Sheppard, director of taught postgraduate optometry programmes at Aston said: “Here at Aston Optometry School, we are delighted to add the Higher Professional Certificate in Contact Lens Practice to our suite of postgraduate courses. Led by our international experts in contact lens education and research, the course is ideal for optometrists wishing to enhance their theoretical knowledge, up-skill and develop confidence in this field. We look forward to welcoming our first students in the New Year.”

The Professional Higher Certificate in Contact Lens Practice is part of a growing collection of higher qualifications developed by the College in order to enable optometrists to provide extended services in key areas such as glaucoma, low vision and medical retina. Courses are undertaken on a part-time basis and are designed to fit with life in a busy practice or hospital department.

More information is available on Aston University’s site. For course-specific questions, please contact Dr Amy Sheppard, Director of taught postgraduate optometry programmes at Aston via email: A.sheppard@aston.ac.uk.

For more information about College of Optometrists accredited courses, visit the College website.