Introduction to Pediatric Ophthalmology

Department
Pediatrics
Course Number
PED 413
Course Title Introduction to Pediatric Ophthalmology
Course Director
Marlet Bazemore, MD
Length (Weeks)

2

When Offered

All year

Prerequisites

OPHT 381 (may be waived at discretion of course director)

Availability Notes

Completion of OPHT 381 is highly recommended prior to taking this elective, but this requirement may be waived for a satisfactory reason upon application at the discretion of the course director. See below for additional pre-course activities.

Contact Name
Dr. Bazemore
Contact Phone
Contact Fax
Contact Email
mbazemor@childrensnational.org
Other Contacts
Location

Children’s National Hospital Eye Clinic (4th floor main)

Limit
1 per 2 week block
Report

Children’s National Hospital Eye Clinic (4th floor main)

Evaluation

Grading: Honors/High Pass/Pass/Conditional/Fail

  • Uniform Clinical Evaluation constitutes 100% of the grade; relevant portions will be completed.
  • Feedback will be provided routinely in the context of clinical care.
Description

Purpose and Rationale for the Course: The purpose of this course is to introduce medical students to pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus. This specialty cares for children with eye disease and adults with strabismus. The students will work side by side with pediatric ophthalmologists in the outpatient clinic, hospital, and operating room to understand the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of ophthalmic disease in children. Trainees can expect to learn about ophthalmic manifestations of pediatric systemic disease. Trainees will be exposed to ophthalmic history taking and the pediatric eye exam. Medical students will have the opportunity to evaluate new outpatients, see interesting hospital consultations, and observe surgery. This course will provide an introduction to management of ophthalmic diseases, including injuries, strabismus, and amblyopia in children. Students will be invited to attend educational lectures and grand rounds in addition to clinical work.

Target Students: This elective is designed for third- or fourth-year medical students interested in developing Ophthalmology knowledge and exam skills in the pediatric population.

Course Description: The purpose of the elective course is to expose medical students to the practice of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus. Third- or fourth-year medical students will rotate through the Pediatric Ophthalmology service for a 2-week elective experience. Students will work with pediatric ophthalmology faculty in the clinical setting to gain exposure to the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric eye disease. They will observe surgical management with the faculty and see operative patients for follow up after treatment to understand the postoperative recovery and visual rehabilitation. They will be involved in outpatient clinic, inpatient consult rounds, and the operating room as scheduling permits. Students will participate in educational lectures and grand rounds. Students will be expected to develop the skills to see patients (with appropriate supervision) and present their findings.

Course Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Practice taking a history for a new patient presenting to the pediatric ophthalmologist.
  2. Describe external and anterior segment anatomy and perform a slit lamp exam.
  3. Perform a sensorimotor exam in a pediatric patient.
  4. Discuss differential diagnosis for a patient with pediatric ophthalmic concern.
Additional Notes

Pre-requisites:

  • Basic orientation to the OR at GWU.
  • OPHT 381 (this is highly recommended, but this requirement may be waived for a satisfactory reason upon application at the discretion of the course director).
  • Students should explore the strabismus simulator just prior to starting the course: Strabismus Simulator - American Academy of Ophthalmology (aao.org)

Students will be expected to:

  • Attend lectures, grand rounds, and journal clubs occurring during the elective.
  • Prepare for surgery by reviewing the charts, relevant anatomy, and procedure prior to observing surgery.
  • Have the option to see patients with the on-call resident and to observe on-call surgeries; however, students will not be required to take call.