Andrea Franzan, MSc
Orthoptist, Head of Degree Program Orthoptics
+43 1 606 68 77-4601
andrea.franzan@fh-campuswien.ac.at
Frequently searched
As with ophthalmologists, orthoptists our concerned with our eyes. Vision disorders, strabismus, amblyopia or ocular palsies are common. The spectrum is still much wider: visual impairment, nystagmus or eye-related abnormal head postures, headaches and reading disorders. The eyes are not always the cause. Also, brain damage or neurological and internal diseases affect vision and require expertise in an interdisciplinary interface. In the degree program you will learn everything about the complex visual system as well as the eye as a sensory organ and possible connections to eye diseases and vision disorders.
Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (BSc) incl. professional qualifications
tuition fee pro semester
€ 363,361
+ ÖH premium + contribution2
Application winter semester 2023/24
12th February to 12th March 2023
20
1 Tuition fees for students from third countries € 727,- per semester
2 for additional study expenses (currently up to € 83,- depending on degree program and year)
When you "look people in the eyes", you do so with a strong interest in medicine and science. Your excellent powers of observation allow you to recognize details. You want to help people of all ages with vision disorders. You take the time to provide extensive counseling and provide patients with clear and convincing information about possible therapies. You want to apply your strong communicative and social skills in your constant interaction with people and enjoy working in a team. You want to profit from the latest findings from science and research in your work.
Thanks to the state-of-the-art infrastructure, you will gain valuable practical experience during your classes.
An internship abroad offers the opportunity to broaden your horizons and gain new impressions.
Numerous disciplines at one location: participate in research projects and learn from others.
Take advantage of the "FIT for a health profession?!" self-assessment test to see what a profession in health care requires and if you have the right qualities.
FIT for a health profession?! (in German only)
Complete the online application form before the application deadline to apply for the program. You will receive more information in our reply e-mail.
Please note:
It is not possible to save incomplete online applications. You must complete your application in one session. Your application will be valid as soon as you upload all of the required documents and certificates. In the event that some documents (e.g. references) are not available at the time you apply, you may submit these later via e-mail, mail or in person by no later than the start of the degree program.
The admission procedure consists of a written test and an interview with members of the admission committee. In addition, you will be invited to participate in an orthoptic exam to test your vision and binocular vision. The results of the eye test must be positive, if necessary even with glasses or contact lenses, in order to be accepted to the degree program.
The written entrance test will be held on Saturday, 18th March 2023.
FH Campus Wien is characterised by extensive expertise and a large network. At our attractive main location you will benefit from our modern infrastructure and have the opportunity to join a professional community across disciplines. The FH Campus Wien is the only university of applied sciences in Austria to train all seven legally regulated upper-level medical-therapeutic-diagnostic professions as well as midwifery. An important partner in the areas of education, research and development is the Vienna Healthcare Association. There is also close cooperation with the Berufsverband Orthoptik Austria - for example, the annual symposium has already taken place several times at our university. A great potential lies in research projects at the crossroads of health and technology and practical relevance is guaranteed when we organize our freely accessible lecture evenings with top-class experts as part of our Campus Lectures.
In addition to the classic orthoptic diagnosis and therapy, the profession is developing more and more towards prevention, visual rehabilitation and specialization. As a specialist, you focus on certain functional eye diseases: Like how can you help people when for example they suddenly suffer from vision disorders after accidents, strokes or tumors in the brain? Ideally, our eyes rely on instructions that are controlled by the brain. At this interdisciplinary intersection, orthoptics work together with ophthalmologists, neurologists and other health care professionals, to jointly develop strategies for therapy and rehabilitation.
In prevention as well, the need for education is still high, for example for parents. Currently, every third child between the ages of two and six are suspected of suffering from a vision disorder or eye disease. Often it is not clear that permanent damage can only be avoided if eye diseases are detected and treated in time.
You will acquire profound medical knowledge about the eye. In the degree program you will learn about the causes visual disorders, how orthoptic diagnostics work and what therapies are possible and how they are performed. All the steps together result in the orthoptic process.
Lector: Dr. med.univ. Sam Augustine Kandathil, Dr. med. univ. Lukas Reissig, PhD
Introduction and basic concepts; cell and tissue; musculoskeletal system and skull; cardiovascular system; respiratory system; digestive system; genitourinary system; endocrine organs; skin and sensory organs; nervous system.
Final exam
Lecture, anatomical models
German
Lector: Drin. med. Ana-Iris Schiefer
Introduction and basic terms; possible courses of diseases, causes of diseases; pathological changes in cells and tissues; inflammations and signs of inflammation; dementia; pathological changes in the blood, blood-forming organs, circulation, respiratory organs and respiration; general metabolic diseases; Diabetes mellitus; pathological changes in the digestive organs and digestion, the urinary and urine-diverting organs, the locomotor and supporting apparatus, the skin and its appendages, the sensory organs, the sex organs; pregnancy; life-threatening conditions and corresponding first aid measures.
Final exam
Lecture, examples
German
Lector: Dr.phil. Dr. med.univ. Karl-Heinz Huemer
Introduction and basic concepts; general cell physiology; general neurophysiology; muscle physiology; sensory organs; central nervous processing of sensory information; central nervous system (structure, function and sensorimotor function); endogenous rhythms (e.g. sleep, wake rhythm); learning, memory; vegetative nervous system; energy metabolism, nutrition, digestion, metabolism; heat balance; respiration; blood; circulation and vascular system; humoral regulation of vegetative functions; excretory systems.
Final exam
Lecture
German
Lector: Dr. med. univ. Christa Firbas
Overview of the eye and its auxiliary apparatus. Basic features of development, structure of the bulb (wall structure and contents), nervous optical apparatus, external eye muscles and gaze control, structure of the lacrimal apparatus, eyelid and orbita with suspension apparatus of the eyeball. Neuroanatomy (central, peripheral nervous system, visual/gaze centers).
Final exam
Lecture
German
Lector: Andreas Huber, MSc
Terminology and basic concepts in orthoptics, pleoptics and strabology; introduction to binocular vision disorders, eye movements, development of monocular and binocular vision; overview of binocular vision disorders and eye movement disorders; orthoptic process; anamnesis and inspection of patients.
Module exam
Lecture with activating methods
German
Lector: Andrea Franzan, MSc
Different types of literature; principles of literature research, overview of relevant international databases, systematic literature search in relevant databases, language bias; basics of quality and evaluation criteria of literature; scientific citation; platinum regulation
Continuous assessment
Lecture, research, group work, work assignments
German
Lector: Andrea Franzan, MSc
Curriculum and its structure, theoretical and practical training
Insight into international training
Legal study regulations and examination regulations
Introduction to the legal basis (MTD-, and health professional register law)
Job description and historical development of the profession
Professional associations
Final exam
"Participated with success"
expounding
German
Lector: Mgr. Wilma Jacyniak, BSc
Devices and methods for establishing a general orthoptic status: visual acuity and visual equivalent testing; testing of fixation and eye position (cover test), motility testing, convergence testing; simple measurements of the squint angle (e.g. PCT, Hirschberg, synoptophore), testing of binocular vision and stereo vision; determination of accommodation and fusion width; documentation of results.
Module exam
Lecture, demonstration of equipment and methods
German
Lector: Manuel Ruiß, MSc
Introduction and basics; general pharmacology; pharmacodynamics; pharmacokinetics, pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system; antiphlogistics, analgesics, antipyretics; allergy; antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal therapy / therapy of infectious diseases; hormones (systemic influence and effect on the eye); psychopharmaceuticals, neuroleptics, psychotropic substances; interactions of drugs on the eye and its functions;
Relevant drugs in ophthalmology / strabology, effects, side effects; prescriptions.
Final exam
Lecture, case studies
German
Lector: Dr. Monika Breuer
Terminology
General and special microbiology
Immunology
General measures of infection control
Hygiene in orthoptic therapy
Nosocomial infections and hospital hygiene for the orthoptic working environment
Final exam
Lecture with active participation
German
Lector: Renate Achtsnit
Concentration, motivation, memory, attention and emotion, learning strategies (e.g. mnemonics, visualisation, creativity enhancing techniques), learning types, procrastination, exam preparation, exam anxiety;
Time management: mission statement, Pareto principle, Eisenhower principle, ABC analysis, ALPEN method, work-life balance model; relaxation techniques.
Continuous assessment
"Participated with success"
Exercise with theoretical input phases, group and individual work as well as self-study
German
Lector: Drin. med. Maga. phil. Susanne Tentschert
Introduction and basic terms; clinical-neurological examination; instrumental and laboratory diagnostics; important neurological syndromes (e.g. cranial nerve lesions, motor and sensory disorders); vascular diseases (e.g. ischaemic cerebral infarction,); tumour diseases; diseases of a seizure-like character (e.g. epilepsy; headaches and facial neuralgia; inflammation
(e.g. ischemic cerebral infarction); tumor diseases; diseases with seizure-like character (e.g. epilepsy); headaches and facial neuralgia; inflammations of the nervous system (e.g. meningitis, multiple sclerosis); movement disorders (e.g. Parkinson's disease, dementia); neurological disorders (e.g. neurological disorders). Parkinson's disease); dementia; traumatic damage to the central nervous system and its sheaths; metabolic and toxic damage to the central nervous system; diseases of the peripheral nervous system and musculature (e.g., myositis); developmental disorders and malformations of the central nervous system (e.g., hydrocephalus, early brain damage).
Final exam
Lecture, case studies
German
Lector: Dr.phil. Dr. med.univ. Karl-Heinz Huemer
Physiology of vision (sense of light, color, form); neurophysiological foundations of visual perception (e. g. receptive fields, signal processing, projection of the retina into the central nervous system, contrast vision, depth perception); physiology of the envelopes of the eye and the refractive media; accommodation; physiology of the optic nerve, the visual pathway and the pupil; Basic physiology of adnexa ( such as lacrimal system, lids, bulb motor system, oculomotor, sensory, autonomic nervous system); physiology of oculomotor system (saccadic system, following movements, optokinetics, vestibulo-ocular reflex, vergence movements, fixation).
Final exam
Lecture
German
Lector: Anna-Maria Windhofer, BSc MBA MSc
Basics of sensory perception (spatial values of the retina; prerequisites and degrees of binocular vision; horopter; Panumian space; dominance; competition; retinal correspondence; physiological double images); confusion, diplopia, suppression; central scotoma, fixation point scotoma; accommodation, convergence, eye muscle functions;
abnormal retinal correspondence (classification, etiology;examination of retinal correspondence, assignment of tests; change of correspondence by examination procedure, by visual conditions); postoperative double vision; subnormal binocular vision, horror fusionis.
Module exam
Presenting
German
Lector: Mgr. Wilma Jacyniak, BSc
Teaching, practice and reflection of knowledge and skills concerning the contents of the course "Equipment and orthoptic methodology 1".
Final exam
Module exam
Practical exercises with each other and, if possible, with probands
German
Lector: Anna-Maria Windhofer, BSc MBA MSc
Different examination methods of binocular vision, their performance, documentation and interpretation of the examination results.
Module exam
Exercise in groups, practical activities, practicing on each other
German
Lector: Anna-Maria Windhofer, BSc MBA MSc
Definition; social significance; classification; aetiology and pathogenesis; suppression; clinical manifestations; fixation and its disorders; diagnosis of amblyopia (e.g. visual acuity, crowding, accommodation, covertest, motility, pupillary response); binocular interaction; differential diagnosis; risk factors, prevention and prophylaxis, education and counselling; treatment of amblyopia and eccentric fixation (e.g. spectacles, occlusion, penalisation, pleoptics); new therapeutic approaches and developments (e.g. shutter glasses, therapy programmes for PC,...); different therapeutic approaches.e.g. glasses, occlusion, penalization, pleoptics); new therapeutic approaches and developments (e.g. shutter glasses, therapy programs for the PC,...); different therapeutic approaches in different countries.
Module exam
Theoretical teaching combined with practical application
German
Lector: Ing. Roland Haas, BEd. M.Sc
Introduction and basic concepts; physical optics: light properties, geometrical optics (e.g. imaging, aberrations and their correction, optical instruments and their application (e.g. magnifying glasses, telescopes, prisms, vertex refractometer, TABO scheme);
Physiological optics: eye as an optical system, refractive states of the eyes (e.g. spherical, astigmatic, spectacle lenses for correction, factors influencing corrective lenses); spectacle theory (e.g. seeing with spectacles, types of spectacles and frames, children's spectacles, spectacle prescription).
Final exam
Theoretical instruction combined with practical application
German
Lector: Mgr. Wilma Jacyniak, BSc
Devices and methods for establishing an extended orthoptic status: testing of contrast vision; aniseikonia measurement; testing of retinal correspondence; measurement of IPD; diagnostic and therapeutic application of prisms; testing of the double image field with red glass, color sense testing (e.g.. Ishihara, Farnsworth, Lea test), coordimetry; special squint angle measurements (e.g.: in the nine directions of gaze, with DVD, on the Maddox cross); documentation; devices for orthoptic and pleoptic training (e.g. cheiroskop, reading desk, cam vision stimulator, localizer) with special consideration of fusion and binocular training;
current technical developments and new methods.
Module exam
Theoretical teaching combined with practical application
German
Lector: Lisa Schneebauer, BSc MMEDSCI
Concept and frequency, classification, etiology and pathophysiology of heterophoria and asthenopia; clinical manifestations, basic diagnostics and special examination procedure, complaints, differential diagnosis, therapy, prisms in asthenopia;
Fusion and binocular training (e.g. methods to eliminate suppression processes, to improve convergence ability; to normalize the convergence and accommodation ratio, to stabilize the fusion and to increase the fusion width) in different clinical pictures; eye mobility exercises; telemedicine
Education and consultation, documentation and reporting of findings; new developments.
Module exam
Theoretical teaching combined with practical application
German
Lector: Dr.med. Thomas Neumayer
Special features of eye diseases in childhood, disorders of normal visual development, congenital eye malformations, hereditary eye diseases, general diseases and eye involvement in childhood (e.g. eye changes as a leading symptom in syndromes).
Surgical methods and therapeutic measures in selected (for orthoptics relevant) paediatric ophthalmological clinical pictures.
Final exam
Lecture
German
Lector: Andreas Huber, MSc, Anna-Maria Windhofer, BSc MBA MSc
Concomitant strabismus (sensory and motor characteristics, examination procedure, therapy, course and prognosis)
Different nomenclatures and views internationally
Education and counselling, documentation and reporting of findings; new developments
Module exam
Theoretical teaching combined with practical application
German
Lector: Paul Hoffman, MAS, Barry Jenkins, BSc (Hons), FH-Prof.in Mag.a Dr.in Andrea Zimpernik
Basic concepts of human medicine; professional vocabulary and terminology; communication, terms and phrases in patient dialogue in the orthoptic process; reading and writing English texts.
Continuous assessment
Lecture, discussion, pair and group work, presentation
German-English
Lector: Lisa Schneebauer, BSc MMEDSCI
Classification, aetiology and pathogenesis, sensory and motor characteristics, anamnesis, diagnostics and examination procedure, special examination methods, differential diagnosis, therapy, course and prognosis in nystagmus: education and consultation, documentation and preparation of reports.
Students will be able to compare national and international perspectives on the therapy of nystagmus.
Module exam
Theoretical teaching combined with practical application
German
Lector: DDr. Sandra Rezar-Dreindl, Assoc.-Prof. PD Dr.med Eva-Maria Stifter
Aetiology, symptoms and main features of therapy including medicinal eye therapy of diseases of the bulb, eyelids, lacrimal organs, orbita, conjunctiva, cornea, sclera, lens, iris, pupil, choroid, vitreous body, retina; optic disc and optic nerve, blindness and visual impairment; anterior chamber and glaucoma; colour vision disorders, eye and general diseases (e.g. HIV, Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis), emergencies in ophthalmology, social ophthalmology (e.g. blindness, ergophthalmology, eye and roadworthiness). e.g. HIV, Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis), ophthalmology emergencies, social ophthalmology (e.g. blindness, ergophthalmology, eye and roadworthiness).
Final exam
Lecture, discussion, presentation, active participation
German
Lector: Priv.Doz.DDr. Julia Aschauer
Slit lamp examinations; chamber angle glass, ophthalmometry, tonometry (e.g. Goldmann applanation tonometer, noncontact tonometer); keratometry; exophthalmometry; Schirmer test, corneal and infraorbital nerve sensitivity testing; pupil assessment;
Three-mirror contact lens, biconvex lenses; direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy; visual field and visual field testing (confrontation, Goldmann, computer perimetry);retinometer,
dark adaptation testing, color vision testing (e.g., pseudoisochromatic panels, color arrangement tests, anomaloscope); electrophysiological examination methods (e.g., electrooculogram, electroretinogram, visual evoked potentials, electronystagmography);
Imaging methods in ophthalmology e.g. keratograph, OCT, fluorescence angiography, echography, X-ray, computer tomography, single photon emission CT (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET);
Documentation of results, exemplary interpretation of results of examination methods e.g. OCT; current technical developments (e.g. artificial intelligence in ophthalmology).
Final exam
Theoretical teaching combined with practical application
German
Lector: Mgr. Wilma Jacyniak, BSc
Teaching, practice and reflection of practical knowledge and skills related to the contents of the course "Equipment and Orthoptic Methodology 2".
Module exam
Practical exercises on each other and, if possible, also with probands
German
Introduction to tasks and professional fields of activity of orthoptists, exploration of professional fields.
Performance of a general orthoptic status, documentation of the results under professional guidance and supervision.
Implementation of theoretically and practically acquired knowledge in professional practice.
Continuous assessment
Guided practice
German
Lector: Mgr. Wilma Jacyniak, BSc
Preparation for the internship, introduction to patient documentation and training protocol, discussion of the tasks for the internship, exchange about the course of the internship and feedback, dealing with difficult situations, presentation and analysis of patient documentation and discussion, reflection on one's own professional-methodical as well as social-communicative skills, experiences and insights.
Continuous assessment
"Participated with success"
Information, active participation, discussion, internship report
German
Introduction to scientific work, research, concept development, outline scheme of scientific work
Continuous assessment
Lecture, work assignments, research, reading and evaluating scientific texts.
German
Introduction and basics; contact lenses vs. glasses (e.g. advantages and disadvantages, optical differences, contact lenses in strabismus and in pediatric ophthalmology); indications and contraindications; rigid and soft lenses ( e.g. types, areas of application, properties); hygiene measures and care products; fitting (anamnesis, preliminary examinations, measurements, calculations, evaluation of the trial lens); handling of contact lenses by patients and instructions; intolerance, risks and side effects of contact lenses or care products; pathological changes; documentation; rules and regulations relevant to the profession.
Continuous assessment
presenting
practical application
self-awareness
German
Health and illness (approaches of health and medical sociology); basic aspects of sociology, (e.g. individual and society, image of man, values and norms, socialisation, interculturality); role(s) of orthoptist and patient in the social context.
Basics and definitions of psychology; dealing with emotions (e.g. when reflecting on work processes, frustration tolerance); areas of application of clinical psychology (e.g. psychosomatics, pain and chronic illnesses, stress management, anxiety disorders, depression); dealing with difficult situations (e.g. burn-out, mobbing, conflicts); professional dealing with the elderly, demented, confused and disoriented people and the blind; personality development and social skills in everyday professional life;
Selected areas of application
Continuous assessment
Lecture, discussion of application examples, group discussion, films
German
Classification, etiology and pathogenesis, sensory and motor characteristics, anamnesis, diagnosis and examination procedure, differential diagnosis, therapy, course and prognosis of congenital and acquired ocular motility disorders: Congenital forms (e.g. strabismus sursoadductorius, Stilling-Türk-Duane retraction syndrome, Jaensch-Brown syndrome), acquired forms (such as neurogenic paresis, abducens, trochlearis and oculomotor paresis, myopathies); derivation of orthoptic diagnosis; education and consultation, documentation and report of findings.
Continuous assessment
Accompanying performance assessment and written examination
Presentations of the different clinical pictures using Power-Point
Video examples
Group work
Learning games/repetition games
German
Introduction and basic concepts; growth and development of the healthy child; physical examination of the child with consideration of the child's psyche; preventive medicine in pediatrics; common methods of examination in pediatrics (e.g., x-ray, ultrasound); common childhood diseases (e.g., infectious diseases, genetic changes, organ-specific diseases such as heart defects); multidisciplinary care/therapy concepts for the handicapped child; child maltreatment and abuse.
Final exam
Lecture with seminar character
German
Introduction to the field of child psychology and developmental psychology of childhood and adolescence; basic knowledge of psychological development according to life stages in childhood and adolescence. Knowledge of psychological, biological, social and cultural factors that promote or inhibit the developmental process - developmental delays and neuropsychological disorders, prevention, methods and practical examples.
Final exam
Lecture, discussion of application examples, group discussion, films
German
Promotion of social communication skills; basic rules of communication and interaction; communication models (e.g. Schulz von Thun, Rogers, Watzlawick), non-verbal communication; conversation techniques: in the team, in conflicts, with patients; basics of moderation, feedback rules; self-reflection: comparison of self-image and external image in communication (iceberg model, Joharifenster);
professionally relevant problems, information and counselling interviews; supervision and coaching.
Continuous assessment
Impulse lecture
Brainstorming
Group discussion
Self-experience
Role plays
POL (problem-based learning)
German
Introduction and clarification of terms; aetiology, symptoms, examination methods, differential diagnosis and its results, therapy, course and prognosis for the following clinical pictures: Diseases of the visual pathway and optic nerve (e.g., visual field defects) and visual cortex (e.g., optic agnosia, central color vision disorders), psychogenic visual disorders; disorders of pupillary motor function and accommodation; disorders of peripheral oculomotor function (complementary to strabology; e.g. e.g. myasthenia gravis, myopathies, ophthalmoplegias); disorders of eyelid motor function, facial nerve, trigeminal nerve (e.g. ptosis, blepharospasm, lagophthalmos); unclear visual deterioration; headache and facial pain with ocular manifestations; selected syndromes.
Final exam
Lecture, case studies
German
Etiology, symptoms, examination procedure, special examination methods and their results, differential diagnosis, therapy, course and prognosis for the following clinical pictures: disorders of the supranuclear oculomotor system (disorders of the conjugate and disjugate gaze motor system concerning saccades, slow following movements, vestibulo-ocular reflex, optokinetic nystagmus and fixation, e. g. horizontal and vertical gaze paresis, convergence and divergence paresis, INO, skew deviation, ocular tilt reaction, 1 ½ syndrome); subjective visual vertical; acquired nystagmus and related ocular oscillations (e.g. E.g., gaze paretic or gaze directional nystagmus, convergence retraction nystagmus, see-saw nystagmus, nystagmus-like disorders of ocular motor function); Derivation of orthoptic diagnosis; Therapeutic interventions, telereha.., education and counselling; documentation and reporting of findings.
Continuous assessment
Theoretical teaching combined with practical application
Case studies
German
Basic pedagogical concepts: Education, upbringing and educational styles, didactics and methodology, pedagogical implication/aspects of orthoptic thinking and acting;
Focus on curative education and inclusive education: special consideration of education for the visually impaired and blind,
acceptance and coping strategies in the case of visual impairment and acquired blindness, reflection on prejudices and stigmatisation in dealing with disabled people.
Continuous assessment
Lecture, discussion, self-reflection
German
Teaching, practising and reflecting on practical knowledge and skills related to the contents of the course "Incomitant strabismus" and case analyses.
Practical application of the examination methods for the contents of the course "Incomitant strabismus" and case analyses.
Continuous assessment
Accompanying performance assessment, written examination at the end of the course.
Practical practice
Practicing on each other
German
Teaching, practice and reflection of practical knowledge and skills related to the contents of the course "Neuroorthoptics" and the course "Neuroophthalmology" and case analyses.
Continuous assessment
Guided practice on each other
German
Teaching, practice and reflection of practical knowledge and skills for the determination of the need for correction under consideration of binocularity.
Final exam
Guided practical exercises of subjective and objective methods of refraction determination on each other and, if possible, on test persons.
German
Implementation of theoretically and practically acquired knowledge in professional practice under professional guidance and supervision.
Carrying out an extended orthoptic status according to the state of knowledge, derivation of the orthoptic diagnosis, preparation and implementation of the therapy plan, performance of relevant ophthalmological examination methods, documentation of the results.
Formation of a professional relationship with patients and colleagues.
Continuous assessment
Guided practice
German
Refraction (basics, refractive anomalies and correction); subjective refraction - determining the need for correction: Aids, methods (e.g., for spherical refractive errors, Donders method, fog methods, monocular fine adjustment; for astigmatic refractive errors, cross-cylinder method, testing for refractive balance in binocular adjustment, correction of anisometropia, determination of near correction); Application, performance, documentation;
Objective refractive testing (static and dynamic skiascopy, autorefraction); application, performance, documentation; basics and methods of refractive surgery.
Final exam
Presenting
Practical application
German
Preparation for the internship, reflection on one's own abilities and experiences in the internship and studies; dealing with difficult situations (e.g. excessive demands, need for support); feedback, intervision, supervision; presentation of the internship reports.
Continuous assessment
"Participated with success"
Information, active participation, discussion, internship report, reflection discussions
German
History and development of the profession
Legal foundations and regulations relevant to the profession (MTD Act, obligation to undergo further training, Health Professional Register Act)
Medical and research ethics, professional ethics, prevention of corruption
National and international professional associations
Training and professional profile in international comparison
Active error prevention in medicine with special consideration of orthoptics
Current topics and professional political developments
Introduction to Evidence based Practice and Assessments
Introduction to the WHO Family of international Classification (ICD, ICF,...)
Continuous assessment
Lecture, case studies, group and individual work
German
Health apps, Internet of Things, health sites, quality and risk, health data protection and security, role of Google and social media in relation to health.
Continuous assessment
Lecture with activating methods, work assignments, individual and group work
German
Data collection, data preparation (coding), descriptive statistics (graphs, measures), formulation of hypotheses, application of bivariate hypothesis tests (inferential statistics), application of a statistical computing program, interpretation of results.
Continuous assessment
Lecture
Individual, partner and group work
Exercises
German
Project management basics;
Pre-project phase, project assignment, project organization,
team building, environment analysis(social skills, leadership)
Methods project start (moderation);
Methods project coordination, project controlling (feedback, reflection);
Methods project marketing;
Methods project crises, project conclusion, connection of the methods (conflict management, presentation methods);
Presentations of the project ideas by the students, discussion of the elaborations of the projects.
Continuous assessment
Alternating plenary and group work. Elaboration of own examples and project plans, reflection, presentation.
German
Basic knowledge of Austrian Sign Language (ÖGS), meaning of gestures, facial expressions and body expressions in ÖGS, exercises on finger alphabet, incorporators and classifiers.
Technique of "sighted guide" (sighted guide technique), accompanying and guiding highly visually impaired and blind people including special communication.
Reasons for communication problems with people with dementia. Verbal and non-verbal communication possibilities with demented people.
The rules of "easy language".
Continuous assessment
Application of the learned different ways of communication
Lecture, practical exercises, role plays, simulation
German
Introduction and definitions; meaning of disability (e.g. levels according to WHO); visual impairment (e.g. definitions, legal framework, causes, symptomatology, effects relevant to everyday life); low-vision diagnostics and rehabilitation; dealing with visually impaired people; coping aids (e.g. opportunities for visually impaired people for vocational and school integration, orientation and mobility training, practical life skills, replacement strategies, institutions, organisations, self-help groups); interface management;
Magnifying vision aids: non-magnifying vision aids and aids; optical and electronic magnifying vision aids; fitting of magnifying vision aids (special anamnesis, examination procedure, selection, practical fitting, instruction, testing, prescription, documentation), counselling and education, recipient-oriented report of findings.
Final exam
Lecture, videos, case studies, simulation, self-awareness
German
Introduction and definitions; occupationally relevant basics of neurorehabilitation, rehabilitation team and interdisciplinary cooperation, rehabilitation of specific neurological diseases (e.g. strokes, craniocerebral trauma);neuropsychological disorders (e.g. neuropsychological disorders (e.g. aphasia, apraxia, neglect, agnosia, amnesia, cognitive disorders), spatial perception disorders and basic knowledge of therapy from a neuropsychological perspective; occupationally relevant aspects in dealing with patients with disabilities, with communicative disorders, with neuropsychological, emotional and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Final exam
Lecture, case studies
German
Using case studies or problems, demonstrate, interpret and argue steps in the orthoptic process; draw clinical conclusions; derive orthoptic diagnosis and develop appropriate treatment plan.
Continuous assessment
Information, active participation, discussion, case description in a national and international context
German
Basics of neurovisual rehabilitation in disorders of visual acuity, contrast vision, adaptation, colour vision, fusion, accommodation, stereo vision; visually induced reading disorders; visual field defects, visual neglect; possibilities of recognition and differentiation between homonymous hemianopsia and neglect; disorders of visual spatial perception, disorders of complex visual performance (e.g. object, face perception); anamnesis, special methods of examination and treatment, instructions for therapy, information and counselling, documentation and preparation of reports on findings; preparation of case material. anamnesis, special examination and treatment methods, instructions for therapy, education and counselling, documentation and preparation of reports; preparation of therapy material; case discussions.
Final exam
Lecture, films, case discussions
German
Basics of prevention and health promotion; orthoptic processes in the context of prevention and health promotion (e.g. with regard to different stages of life and disorders of monocular and binocular vision);
basics of occupational medicine; special features of VDU work: ergonomics at the (VDU) workplace, workplace assessment, prevention of diseases, VDU glasses, VDU activity and complaints (e.g. asthenopia);
measures to promote development and maintain health; advice and education; legal basis, relevant regulations.
Design of the own orthoptic workplace
Continuous assessment
Power Point presentations, case studies, information, discussion, self-awareness
German
Implementation of theoretically and practically acquired knowledge in professional practice under guidance and supervision.
Carrying out an extended orthoptic status in accordance with the state of knowledge, drawing up and implementing a therapy plan, carrying out relevant ophthalmological examination methods, documenting the results.
Working in a multiprofessional and interprofessional team.
Professional Reasoning
Continuous assessment
Guided practice
German
Surgical therapy, indication and contraindication of eye muscle surgery and surgical methods for different forms of strabismus as well as for nystagmus. Different international views and approaches.
Final exam
Power Point presentations, case studies, information, discussion
German
Initial information on writing a bachelor's thesis;
Finding a topic and developing a relevant research question, conducting and documenting a literature search
Analysis of a scientific text in relation to the research question and preparation of an excerpt
Structure and content of a concept
Writing an extended concept according to the requirements of a scientific text
Final exam
Note of the extended concept
Lecture, pair and group work, presentation, writing of an expanded concept
German
Introduction and definitions; normal visual development and consequences of impaired visual development; special features in the general development of visually impaired and blind children; multiple handicapped children with visual impairment (e.g. problems of multiple handicap, altered communication between parents and child); tasks of the orthoptist in the context of diagnostics and therapy for children with impaired visual development (e.g. examination of visual qualities and visual functions, observation of visual behaviour, documentation, clarification, counselling, preparation of a receiver-oriented report of findings); essential tasks and concepts of visual early intervention; coping with visual impairment. (e.g. examination of visual qualities and visual functions, observation of visual behaviour, documentation, education and counselling, preparation of a receiver-oriented report of findings); essential tasks and concepts of early visual support; coping aids (e.g. organisations, institutions).
Final exam
Lecture, films, case analyses
German
Geriatrics, gerontology, dementia, vision in old age, gender and diversity, special features of orthoptic status in the elderly;
Visual requirements of different sports as a new field of activity for orthoptists, orthoptic training of different visual functions to improve athletic performance, computer-based testing and training programs;
New developments in the profession
Continuous assessment
Lecture, case studies, simulation
German
Preparation for the internship, deepening of relevant topics and questions, discussion of the tasks for the internship, exchange about the course of the internship and feedback, dealing with difficult situations, communication aspects in the professional field, presentation and analysis of patient documentation and discussion, reflection on one's own professional-methodical as well as social-communicative skills, experiences and knowledge.
Continuous assessment
"Participated with success"
Information, active participation, discussion, case description
German
Criteria for scientific work; work steps (e.g. topic identification, problem formulation and research question, literature research); critical reading of scientific texts, scientific writing, qualitative and quantitative research methods; presentation of scientific work;
Continuous assessment
Lecture, work assignments, presentation
German
Different areas of perception and partial performance; dyslexia as a specific partial performance, perception and processing disorder; ocular reading disorder; orthoptic clarification diagnostics; ocular stress test (with special consideration of visual perception); therapeutic measures; visual application in case of partial performance disorder; interdisciplinary cooperation, coping aids (e.g. supporting institutions, organisations), counselling and education.
Continuous assessment
Lecture, discussion, case studies
German
Profession, interprofessionality, multiprofessionality in an international context.
Paradigms of the different professional groups involved in international comparison.
Selected methods for coping with challenging situations.
Analysis and processing of selected challenging situations from everyday therapeutic life (in interprofessional and international student teams).
Final exam
presenting, elaborating, explorative
in interprofessional and ingernational group settings
English
Aspects of interdisciplinarity and multiprofessionality in the professional field of orthoptists, interfaces with related professions (e.g. physicians, members of other medical-technical professions, opticians, optometrists); position and tasks of the orthoptist in the interdisciplinary team, special features and challenges within the orthoptic process.
Continuous assessment
Lecture, group discussion, case analysis
German
Using case studies or problems, demonstrate, interpret and argue steps in the orthoptic process; draw clinical conclusions; derive orthoptic diagnosis and develop appropriate treatment plan.
Final exam
Information, active participation, discussion, case description
German
Largely independent work under supervision and, if necessary, with guidance.
Implementation and consolidation of theoretically and practically acquired knowledge and skills in professional practice.
Performance of the entire orthoptic process in the compulsory areas of practical training.
Applied evidence based practice and professional reasoning.
Work in multi- and interprofessional teams
Establishment of a professional relationship with patients and relatives.
Continuous assessment
Module exam
Guided practice
German
Preparation for the internship, deepening of relevant topics and questions, discussion of the tasks for the internship, exchange about the course of the internship and feedback, dealing with difficult situations, communication aspects in the professional field, presentation and analysis of patient documentation and discussion, reflection on one's own professional-methodical as well as social-communicative skills, experiences and knowledge.
Continuous assessment
"Participated with success"
According to the level of knowledge independent work under instruction
German
Independent preparation for the final exam
German
Freelance work as a variant of the possibilities of practising a profession: chances and limits; orthoptist/orthoptist as (freelance) entrepreneur; economic considerations, marketing, orthoptist and advertising; differentiation from opticians and other health professions; business management basics of freelancing
Continuous assessment
Lecture, literature study, case analysis, group work
German
Health care in Austria (history, system, alternatives, weaknesses and strengths, outlook on the current health care reform);
Fields of action and limitations of health policy between health, illness and infirmity;
Health care providers between science and art (professional sociological considerations of the characteristics of "freelance work" and their effects on quality systems, the future of professions in medicine - opportunities and threats);
Hospitals as expert organizations (basics of the hospital system, organizational-theoretical peculiarities of the interaction of health professionals and "laypersons");
Incentive systems and financing in health care (history, basics, images of man - homo oeconomicus as an acceptable figure?, forms of financing (from fee for service to flat rates per case and per capita, national LKF system);
The role of patients in the "health industry" (from object to co-producer; compliance, adherence, health literacy);
Fundamentals of health economics (basics, cost-benefit evaluation models, problems of outcome and quality of life measurement [QALY, efficiency frontier model]);
Final exam
Lecture elements, group discussion, case-study analysis
German
Communication, medical vocabulary; reading, translating and excerpting English texts or studies; presentations; writing abstracts;
Continuous assessment
Discussion, role-playing, presentations, films, reading and writing about current medical issues.
English
To show, interpret and argue steps in the orthoptic process on the basis of case studies or problems; to draw clinical conclusions; to derive an orthoptic diagnosis and to draw up an appropriate therapy plan, to work out interdisciplinary aspects.
Continuous assessment
Information, active participation, discussion, case description and analysis
German
Largely independent work on patients under supervision, guidance as required
Deepening of the entire orthoptic process according to individual emphasis
Continuous assessment
Guided practice
German
Quality in health care (history, terms, definitions and national legal bases for hospitals and the extramural sector);
Autonomy of the liberal professions and their understanding of quality (implicit vs. explicit understanding of quality);
macro-, meso- and micro-level elements of quality (from access to the care system to anti-counterfeiting of medicines);
Basics of patient safety systems (basics, reporting systems(CIRS, measures);
The basic elements of quality assurance and management systems (self-assessment, external assessment, peers or "laypersons", good enough standards to search for excellence) and the fields of application of internationally used systems [ISO, EFQM, KTQ, JCI, A-IQI] in Austria, the tasks and roles of managers and staff);
Final exam
Lecture elements, group discussions, case discussions.
German
Introduction and basic terms; data protection in the health care system (laws, regulations, practices, application), patients' rights; basics of civil and criminal law; medical law (e.g. structure of authorities, MTD Act, Medicines and Medical Devices Act; labour law (e.g. employment relationship, rights and duties, working hours, employee protection); social insurance law (social insurance institutions, financing, benefits); prevention of corruption, prohibition of commissions.
Final exam
Lecture and study of the teaching aid
German
Building on the basics of refraction 1, refraction determination in selected ophthalmological clinical pictures, in systemic diseases (e.g. diabetes) as well as pregnancy.
Continuous assessment
Lecture, case studies, practical exercises
German
General conditions for the preparation of the Bachelor's thesis; objective, formal criteria and concept development, assistance with topic identification, problem formulation and formulation of the research question(s); exchange and clarification of questions; writing of the Bachelor's thesis.
Final exam
Bachelor thesis 2
Theoretical input, group work, peer feedback, individual supervision/counselling
German
Preparation for the internship with a focus on the entire orthoptic process; deepening of relevant topics and questions, discussion of the tasks for the internship, exchange about the course of the internship and feedback, dealing with difficult situations, communication aspects in the professional field, presentation and analysis of patient documentation and discussion, final reflection on one's own professional-methodical as well as social-communicative skills, experiences and knowledge with regard to future professional practice.
Continuous assessment
"Participated with success"
Information, active participation, discussion, case description
German
Semester dates
Winter semester: 30th August 2016 to 27th January 2017
Summer semester: 13th February to 7th July 2017
Number of teaching weeks
18 per semester, including 28 weeks of work experience
Times
Mon. to Fri. all day (in exceptional cases also on Saturdays)
In order to enable all students to gain the necessary practical experience and thus to complete their studies within the regular period of study, there may be practical learning phases during the summer months if required. Four vacation weeks in July or August are planned in any case.
As a graduate of this program, a wide range of professional fields and career opportunities are open to you. Find out where your path can lead you.
Orthoptists conduct examinations independently. This includes, for example, examining vision and binocular vision or assessing strabismus deviations and eye movements. Depending on the results, ophthalmologists may be involved in further treatment. In addition, orthoptists decide on therapeutic measures to compensate such disorders as double vision or perform orthoptic exercises and vision training with stroke patients. As a generalist, you have decided to provide routine eye care and are employed at ophthalmic practices or in hospitals. At the latest when people start to work intensively on computer screens, do many have their first contact with orthoptics. In your professional life you will detect and treat vision disorders, strabismus, amblyopia and eye movement disorders such as ocular palsies, nystagmus, or central vision disorders after trauma and illness. In any case, you will work autonomously under the order of a medical doctor and take care of everything eye related. Your area of responsibilities will include orthoptic diagnosis and therapy, visual rehabilitation, health promotion and prevention. Only with this degree program is it possible to practice the profession of orthoptist. The MTD Act is the basis for this degree program.
You work primarily in ophthalmic routine care, but also as a specialist in specific areas, such as visual rehabilitation, occupational medicine or preventative checkups in kindergartens and schools. Increasingly more often, orthoptists are also active in teaching, science and research. Opportunities will be open for you in the following areas:
Orthoptist, Head of Degree Program Orthoptics
+43 1 606 68 77-4601
andrea.franzan@fh-campuswien.ac.at
Favoritenstraße 226, D.3.35
1100 Vienna
+43 1 606 68 77-4600
+43 1 606 68 77-4609
orthoptik@fh-campuswien.ac.at
Office hours during the semester
Mon to Fri, 8.00 a.m.-12.00 p.m.
Orthoptist, Academic Staff
andreas.huber@fh-campuswien.ac.at
+43 1 606 68 77-4611
Academic Staff
lisa.schneebauer@fh-campuswien.ac.at
+43 1 606 68 77-4604
Academic Staff
anna-maria.windhofer@fh-campuswien.ac.at
+43 1 606 68 77-4603
We work closely with the Vienna Healthcare Group, universities like the Medical University of Vienna, the professional association Orthoptics Austria and other health care facilities. This guarantees you strong contacts for internships, employment or participation in research and development activities. You will complete the extensive internships at, among others, the hospitals of the Vienna Healthcare Group. You can find information about our cooperation activities and much more at Campusnetzwerk. It's well worth visiting the site as it may direct you to a new job or interesting event held by our cooperation partners!
