Programme

Module 1 – In-depth Study of Corneal Physiology and the Tear Film
• Corneal Metabolism and Oxygen Demand.
• Physiology of the Tear Film.
• Lens-Ocular Surface Interactions.
• Impact of Materials on Ocular Physiology.

Module 2 – Advanced Contact Lens Materials
• Polymer Characteristics.
• Physical and Chemical Properties.
• Oxygen Transmissibility (Dk and Dk/t).
• Deposits and Biocompatibility.

Module 3 – Advanced Soft Lens Fitting
• Fitting Evaluation.
• Toric Lenses.
• Multifocal Lenses.
• Therapeutic Lenses
• Silicone Rubber Lenses
• Opaque Cosmetic Lenses
• Hybrid Lenses
• Troubleshooting Strategies.
• Management of Visual Dissatisfaction.

Module 4 – Advanced Rigid Corneal Lens Fitting
• Geometry and Design.
• Fluoroscopic analysis.
• Pattern interpretation.
• Application in toric corneas, corneas with irregular astigmatism, and corneas undergoing refractive surgery and keratoplasty.

Module 5 – Corneal Topography, Tomography, Profilometry, and Anterior Segment Imaging
• Principles of topography, tomography, and profilometry.
• Map interpretation.
• Clinical use in contact lens wear.
• Correlations with fitting.

Module 6 – Specialty Contact Lens Wear
• Pediatric and Adolescent Contact Lens Wear
• Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia.
• ​​Orthokeratology.
• Scleral and Miniscleral Lenses.
• Post-surgical Applications.
• Management of Irregular Corneas.
• Fitting of Scleral Lenses in Dry Eye

Module 7 – Complications and Clinical Management
• Inflammatory Complications.
• Infectious Complications.
• Mechanical complications.
• Referral criteria for an ophthalmologist.
Module 8 – Professional aspects and clinical cases
• Informed consent.
• Patient education.
• Analysis and discussion of complex clinical cases.

Laboratory activities
• Slit-lamp evaluation.
• Corneal topography.
• Fitting soft toric and multifocal lenses.
• Fitting RGP lenses.
• Fitting scleral lenses.
• Guided discussion of clinical cases.

Core Documentation

READINGS
The exam can be prepared with the help of:

1. Reference manual (of your choice):
- Lupelli L., Fletcher R., Rossi A. "Contactology. A Clinical Guide." Medical Books 1998.
- Rossetti A., Gheller P. "Manual of Optometry and Contact Lenses."
Ed. Zanichelli.
- De Pascale R., "Introduction to Contact Lens Prescriptions."
Ed. Eurocopy Format 2008.
- Gasson A., Morris J.A. "The Contact Lens Manual. A Practical Guide to Fitting." 4th Ed. Butterworth-Heinemann-

Elsevier 2010.
- Efron N. "Contact Lens Practice," 4th edition. Butterworth-Heinemann-Elsevier, 2023.
- Phillips A.J., Speedwell L. “Contact Lenses,” 6th edition. Elsevier.

2. Handouts:
- Slides presented in class by the instructor.

Reference Bibliography

The topics covered can be further explored by consulting the following references: - Veys J, Meyler J, Davies I. “Essentials of Contact Lens Practice.” The Vision Care Institute 2009. - Zeri F., Calossi A., Fossetti A., Rossetti A. “Visual Optics.” Editrice Universo Roma, 2012. (Chapters 2, 9, 15) - Lupelli L., “Optometria A-Z”: Dictionary of the Science, Technique, and Clinical Practice of Vision – Medical Books 2014

Attendance

Attendance at theoretical teaching activities is not mandatory, but is strongly recommended. Practical and applied activities, however, are mandatory. Regular participation allows students to integrate theoretical knowledge with observation and application of clinical procedures specific to advanced contact lens care, fostering the acquisition of the skills necessary for evaluating and managing specialized applications.

Type of evaluation

Knowledge will be assessed through a written assignment consisting of 18 questions with four multiple-choice answers and one open-ended question. Following successful completion of the written exam, the assessment will primarily be conducted through an oral interview, during which the student will be asked to answer questions related to the topics covered in the Contact Lens 2 program. During the interview, case studies or clinical-optometric situations may also be presented, to test the student's ability to connect the theoretical knowledge acquired and use it to correctly interpret a contact lens problem. Assessment will therefore not be based solely on the ability to recall concepts, but also on the student's ability to understand, connect, and apply the knowledge acquired, identifying relevant information and justifying answers. The level of preparation will be assessed based on the completeness and accuracy of knowledge, the ability to make connections between different topics, mastery of technical-scientific terminology, and the ability to apply theoretical principles to solving contact lens problems. The final grade will be expressed out of 30.

Programme

Slit-lamp examination.
Corneal topography.
Fitting of soft toric and multifocal contact lenses.
Fitting of RGP contact lenses.
Fitting of scleral contact lenses.
Guided discussion of clinical cases.
(The topics may be subject to change)

Core Documentation

Please refer to the form of the course coordinator

Attendance

Attendance is compulsory for at least 75 per cent of the total hours. Failure to meet the minimum attendance threshold will result in exclusion from the final examination.

Type of evaluation

Written examination comprising multiple-choice and open-ended questions Oral examination Discussion of a clinical case