SCAM25053U Companion Animal Ophthalmology - Advanced Companion Animal Ophthalmology

Volume 2025/2026
Education

This course is a specialization course at the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science. The Master is a post graduate education targeted small animal veterinarians seeking Continual Professional Development (CPD).

 

Read more about the  Master of Companion Animal Clincal Science.

Content

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with theoretical and practical skills to perform diagnostic work-up, establish prognosis, and develop therapeutic strategies for the management of:
 

1) Dogs and cats with adnexal diseases.

2) Dogs and cats with anterior segment diseases.

3) Dogs and cats with posterior segment diseases.

4) Exotic animals and horses most common ophthalmic diseases.
 

To provide the student with hands-on knowledge in the field of advanced diagnostic testing for ophthalmic diseases; including cytology, pathology, and electroretinography. To demonstrate the use of advanced CT and MRI in veterinary ophthalmology.

By theory and practical exercises to extend the student’s knowledge, practical skills and competences within the clinical decision-making and diagnostic procedures with regards to companion animal ophthalmic diseases.

Learning Outcome

Having completed the course, the student shall be able to:
 

Knowledge

  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with adnexal diseases.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of anterior segment diseases.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of posterior segment diseases.
  • Know etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of adnexal, anterior-, and posterior segment diseases in dogs and cats at an advanced level.
  • To define, identify, and evaluate veterinary methodology and the use of general and advanced veterinary diagnostic methods for veterinary ophthalmology patients.


Skills

  • Apply evidence-based approaches to dogs and cats with complex ophthalmic symptoms.
  • Perform oral presentation of patient history, symptoms, and diagnostic plan for both specialist and non-specialist colleagues and clients.
  • Discuss relevant problems and questions within the systematic approach to patients with complex ophthalmic symptoms.
  • Use and adjust slit lamp biomicroscopy.
  • Use and adjust the headset for indirect ophthalmoscopy.
  • Perform ocular ultrasonographic examination at a basic level.
  • Interpret, assess, and reflect on collected patient data in order to identify/localize the cause of ocular disease occurrence, make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis, and apply and integrate evidence-based scientific approaches to plan and administer further diagnostics, patient therapy, and management.

 

Competences

  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and lay-persons involved in companion animal patient management.
  • Plan, evaluate, and manage a diagnostic work-up and treatment of patients with complex ocular diseases.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge at a specialty level within complex ocular diseases.

 

Updated literature list will be posted 1 month prior to course start. The participant should have theoretical knowledge updated prior to participation.

Inclusion criteria for Master's Programme in Companion Animal Clinical Science: Degree in veterinary medicine and at least two years of relevant work experience.

SCAM13001U, SCAM13002U, SCAM13003U, SCAM13004U or one of the following certifications in Companion Animal Diseases:
• Danish Certificate in Small Animal Diseases, in danish known as "Fagdyrlæge i sygdomme hos hunde og katte".
• Swedish Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Swedish known as "Steg 1".
• Norwegian Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Norwegian known as "Specialisering i veterinærmedisin, spesialitet smådyr".
• Finnish Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Finnish known as “Pieneläinsairauksien erikoiseläinlääkäri".

SCAM13029U Basic Companion Animal Ophthalmology.
A mixture of lectures, e-learning, theoretical and practical exercises. Case-study work.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 82
  • Exercises
  • 20
  • Exam
  • 40
  • Total
  • 162
Written
Oral
Credit
1 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
Type of assessment details
The Ongoing Test consists of three parts:
a) a minimum of 80% active participation,
b) preparation and oral presentation of a problem-oriented clinical case,
c) a written assignment: an evidence-based procedure.

To pass the course, students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Aid
All aids allowed except Generative AI
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Re-exam

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the grade passed, the student shall be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of adnexal (eyelid) diseases.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of ocular surface and anterior segment diseases.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of adnexal diseases.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of lens and posterior segment diseases.
  • Know etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of adnexal (eyelid) diseases in dogs and cats at an advanced level.
  • Know etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of ocular surface and anterior segment diseases in dogs and cats at an advanced level.
  • Know etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of lens and posterior segment diseases in dogs and cats at an advanced level.

 

Skills

  • Apply evidence-based approaches to dogs and cats with complex ocular symptoms.
  • Perform oral presentation of patient history, symptoms, and diagnostic plan for both specialist and non-specialist colleagues and clients.
  • Discuss relevant problems and questions within the systematic approach to patients with complex ocular symptoms.
  • Interpret, assess, and reflect on collected patient data in order to identify/localize the cause of ocular disease occurrence, make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis, and apply and integrate evidence-based scientific approaches to plan and administer further diagnostics, patient therapy, and management.

 

Competences

  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and lay-persons involved in companion animal patient management.
  • Plan, evaluate, and manage a diagnostic work-up and treatment of patients with complex ocular diseases.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge at a specialty level within complex ocular diseases.
Credit
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Type of assessment details
The written assignment includes an exam with multiple-choice, short answer, and/or essay questions.

To pass the course, students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Examination prerequisites

Students may attend this examination without approval of Exam 1 (SCAM25053E Ongoing Test).

Aid
All aids allowed except Generative AI
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Re-exam

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade 12, the student shall be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of adnexal (eyelid) diseases.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of ocular surface and anterior segment diseases.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of adnexal diseases.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of the systematic approach to the patient with symptoms of lens and posterior segment diseases.
  • Know etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of adnexal (eyelid) diseases in dogs and cats at an advanced level.
  • Know etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of ocular surface and anterior segment diseases in dogs and cats at an advanced level.
  • Know etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of lens and posterior segment diseases in dogs and cats at an advanced level.

 

Skills

  • Apply evidence-based approaches to dogs and cats with complex ocular symptoms.
  • Perform oral presentation of patient history, symptoms, and diagnostic plan for both specialist and non-specialist colleagues and clients.
  • Discuss relevant problems and questions within the systematic approach to patients with complex ocular symptoms.
  • Interpret, assess, and reflect on collected patient data in order to identify/localize the cause of ocular disease occurrence, make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis, and apply and integrate evidence-based scientific approaches to plan and administer further diagnostics, patient therapy, and management.

 

Competences

  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and lay-persons involved in companion animal patient management.
  • Plan, evaluate, and manage a diagnostic work-up and treatment of patients with complex ocular diseases.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge at a specialty level within complex ocular diseases.