ECTS credits ECTS credits: 3
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 2 Expository Class: 4 Interactive Classroom: 11 EEES Clinics: 6 Total: 23
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Applied Physics
Areas: Optometry
Center Faculty of Optics and Optometry
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
- To understand the pathophysiological foundations of Dry Eye Disease (DED), as well as current protocols for its detection, evaluation, classification, and prevention.
- To identify and assess the signs and symptoms associated with DED in the context of optometric clinical practice.
- To analyse the interaction between the tear film and contact lenses, and its implications in the fitting and follow-up of patients with DED.
- To apply updated diagnostic procedures and therapeutic strategies for the clinical management of DED.
- To develop clinical skills in ocular surface evaluation and in decision-making for contact lens fitting in patients with tear film disorders.
The course addresses the study of Dry Eye Disease (DED) from both theoretical and practical perspectives, including its definition, classification, semiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, morbidity, and its impact on quality of life and economic aspects. Current strategies for clinical and therapeutic management are also covered.
The content is developed through theoretical lectures, interactive seminars, and clinical practice:
Theoretical instruction:
- Lecture 1. Introduction: the tear film
- Lecture 2. Dry Eye Disease: definition, semiology, classification, pathophysiology, and epidemiology
- Lecture 3. Management and therapies in Dry Eye Disease
Interactive instruction – seminar:
- Seminar 1. Evaluation of the tear film
- Seminar 2. Diagnosis and classification of Dry Eye Disease
- Seminar 3. Optometric management of Dry Eye Disease
Interactive instruction – clinical practice:
- Practical application of diagnostic tests for DED evaluation, clinical approach to DED patients in the optometry consultation, and contact lens fitting in patients with DED
- González-Cavada Benavides J. Atlas de Lámpara de Hendidura y lentes de contacto. Biomicroscopía ocular. Ed, ICM. Madrid. 2015.
- Contactología aplicada. Raúl Martín Herranz. Ed ICM. 2005.
- Contact lens practice Nathan Efron Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier, 2010.
- Superficie ocular y lentes de contacto. JM González-Meijome, C villa Collar Ed. Fundación Salud Visual. Madrid, 2016
- Contact Lenses. Phillips A. and Speedwell L. Ed. Butterworths Heinnemann, 2007.
- Complicaciones de las Lentes de Contacto. Nathan Efron. Elsevier España, S.A. Madrid, 2005.
- Saona Santos, Carlos. Contactología Clínica 2ª ed. Barcelona; Masson, 2006.
- Prescripción y Adaptación de Lentes de Contacto. Milton M. Hom and Adrian S. Bruce. Elsevier Mason. 2007.
- Complicaciones de las Lentes de Contacto. Nathan Efron. Butterworth-Heinemann. Elsevier España, S.A. Madrid, 2005
- Anterior Segment Complications of Contact lens Wear. Joel A. Silbert. Churchill Livingstone Inc.NY. 1994.
- Anterior Eye Disease and Therapeutics A- Z. AS Bruce and MS Loughnan. Butterworth-Heinemann.2003.
- www.journals.lww.com/corneajrnl/pages/default.aspx. Web de la revista Journal of Cornea
- www.journals.elsevier.com/contact-lens-and-anterior-eye. Web de la revista Contact Lens and Anterior Eye.
- www.journals.lww.com/claojournal/Pages/default.aspx. Web de la revista Eye and Contact lens.
- www.optometry.co.uk. Web de la revista Optometry Today
- www.Contactlenses.org. Web dedicada a lentes de contacto, principalmente RGP
- www.clspectrum.com. Web de la revista Contact Lens Spectrum
Knowledge
- Con02. Demonstrate mastery of the principles, methodologies, and modern technologies in optometry.
- Con03. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for incorporation into specialized professional practice.
- Con04. Understand the specific clinical criteria for specialized care in the various clinical fields related to visual care: paediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, visual therapy, low vision, ocular surface, and contact lenses.
- Con06. Deepen the study of the basic sciences of vision as a tool for knowledge and support for professional and research specialization.
Skills and Abilities
- H/D02. Ability to collaborate with other professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team with a high degree of effectiveness.
- H/D05. Acquire the ability to manage Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
- H/D06. Use various techniques of oral and written presentation, including presentations, posters, etc., to communicate one’s knowledge, proposals, and positions.
- H/D07. Acquire the necessary skills to enter specialized professional practice in the field of optometry.
- H/D11. Ability to collaborate with peers during the visual assessment of the patient.
- H/D14. Ability to identify and evaluate specific signs and symptoms related to dry eye.
- H/D15. Ability to understand all aspects related to the ocular surface and the use of contact lenses.
- H/D16. Ability to apply contact lens fitting protocols in an appropriate and safe manner.
- H/D17. Ability to select suitable candidates for wearing specialty contact lenses.
Competences
- Comp02. Ability to make decisions based on scientific, technical, and clinical information.
- Comp05. Apply scientific research methodology and procedures in vision sciences.
- Comp08. Develop critical thinking, self-criticism, and decision-making skills.
- Comp09. Demonstrate the ability to address complex challenges effectively and adaptively in multidisciplinary environments.
- Theoretical instruction (4 asynchronous online hours): The theoretical content of the course will be provided asynchronously via the Virtual Classroom (Moodle) in PDF, PPT, audio, or video format. These materials cover the fundamental concepts of the subject and will be organized in a structured manner for self-guided study.
- Interactive instruction – seminar (4 face-to-face hours + 7 asynchronous online hours): Each student will attend two face-to-face sessions of two hours in large groups (ratio 1:20), focused on the practical analysis of clinical situations or theoretical explanations of course concepts. These sessions will be complemented by asynchronous online activities through the Virtual Classroom (Moodle), including mandatory exercises and assignments to be completed within set deadlines. Support materials will be available in various formats (PDF, PPT, audio, or video).
- Interactive instruction – clinical practice (6 face-to-face hours): Each student will attend three face-to-face clinical sessions of two hours at the USC Optometry Service in small groups (ratio 1:5). These sessions will address the clinical management of Dry Eye Disease and the fitting of contact lenses, with direct student participation in patient care whenever possible. The use of a white lab coat is mandatory for all practical sessions. Appropriate clinical attire is required: shorts, sportswear, and head coverings are not permitted unless culturally or religiously justified. The use of mobile phones or other electronic devices is not allowed during clinical sessions; doing so may result in removal from the classroom or a failing grade for the session. Complementary reading materials will be provided in advance via the Virtual Classroom. The detailed plan for the practical sessions is included in the course's “Practice Guide.”
- Small-group tutoring (2 asynchronous online hours): Tutoring will take place asynchronously via the Virtual Classroom, email, and/or platforms such as TEAMS, and may be conducted individually or in groups depending on students' needs.
The assessment of this course will be based on the different teaching activities, evaluating both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, as well as student participation. The final grade will be expressed on a scale from 0 to 10 points, according to the following weighting:
Theoretical instruction – 4.0 points (40%): Assessment will consist of a single-choice multiple-choice exam with no penalty for incorrect answers, comprising between 20 and 30 questions. A minimum of 70% correct answers is required to pass. The exam will cover the theoretical contents of the course (Topics 1 to 3). Students will have one regular and one resit examination opportunity:
Interactive instruction – seminars – 4.0 points (40%): Evaluation will be based on students’ performance in solving clinical cases and practical exercises during seminars, using specific rubrics:
- Seminar 1 – Tear film evaluation: up to 1.5 points (15%)
- Seminar 2 – Diagnosis and classification of Dry Eye Disease (DED): up to 1.25 points (12.5%)
- Seminar 3 – Optometric management of DED: up to 1.25 points (12.5%)
Interactive instruction – clinical practice – 2.0 points (20%): Evaluation will include attendance and student performance during clinical sessions at the USC Optometry Service, as well as the submission of a final assignment related to the practical’s:
- Participation and clinical performance: up to 1.5 points (15%)
- Clinical practice report (evaluated with a rubric): up to 0.5 points (5%)
The total number of personal study hours for students is 51, distributed as follows:
- Independent or group study: 20 hours
- Writing of assignments, reports, or other tasks: 15 hours
- Recommended readings, library activities, or similar: 16 hours
For a thorough understanding of the content covered in the Ocular Surface and Contact Lenses course, it is considered essential that students complement the theoretical instruction with the reading of up-to-date scientific literature relevant to the subject.
Such publications can be found in leading biomedical databases, such as PubMed (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/), which indexes numerous scientific journals in the fields of contact lenses and ocular surface research.
In cases where fraudulent completion of exercises, tests, or any other evaluative activity is detected, the procedures outlined in the Regulations on the Evaluation of Student Academic Performance and Grade Review will be applied. The University Governing Council approved this regulation on June 15, 2011, and has undergone several modifications, with the most recent being the agreement on April 22, 2020, which establishes a special evaluation regime for the 2019-2020 academic year due to the suspension of in-person teaching as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
By this regulation, in cases of academic fraud, the corresponding sanctions may be imposed, which include the annulment of the affected test, the assignment of a failing grade for the implicated activity, as well as other disciplinary measures provided for in current legislation, depending on the severity of the violation.
Hugo Pena Verdeal
Coordinador/a- Department
- Applied Physics
- Area
- Optometry
- hugo.pena.verdeal [at] usc.es
- Category
- PROFESOR/A PERMANENTE LABORAL
Jacobo García Queiruga
- Department
- Applied Physics
- Area
- Optometry
- jacobogarcia.queiruga [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary supply professor to reduce teaching hours
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Spanish | Classroom 5 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLI_EEES01 | Spanish | Contactology Laboratories |
| 18:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLI_EEES02 | Spanish | Contactology Laboratories |
| 05.27.2026 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 3 |
| 06.17.2026 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Assembly Hall |