Fellowship Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing

Fellowship Dispensing Diploma (FBDO)

The three-year diploma course in Ophthalmic Dispensing leads to the ABDO Level 6 FBDO qualification. The course is three years long and prepares students for the Fellowship Diploma examinations (FBDO). The course is made up of units of coursework, assignment questions, block release study and practice-based learning.

The Fellowship Dispensing Diploma course is based around the ABDO Syllabus and the GOC Core Curriculum for Dispensing Opticians. Both of these documents are available on request from the appropriate body.

Year 1

Theory:
Ophthalmic Lenses, Optics, Professional Conduct and Communication.
Practical:
Ophthalmic Dispensing Practice.

Year 2

Theory:
Theory in Ophthalmic Dispensing, Advanced Theory of Ophthalmic Lenses, Abnormal Ocular Conditions and Standards of Practice, Ocular Anatomy, Paediatric Dispensing and Communication.

Year 3

Theory:
Refractive Management, Low Vision and Contact Lenses.
Practical:
Advanced Ophthalmic Dispensing Practice

BSc Hons in Ophthalmic Dispensing

Provided by ABDO College working in conjunction with Canterbury Christ Church University, this a two-year Foundation Degree course followed by a third year BSc Degree course in Ophthalmic Dispensing – leading to BSc (Hons) and the ABDO Level 6 FBDO qualifications.

The programme is made up of two parts and takes three years in all. The first two years form the Foundation Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing. In the third year, students have a choice of completing a BSc (Hons) in Ophthalmic Dispensing and the FBDO or just the FBDO. We will discuss the options open to them and help to choose a suitable course when the time comes. In both cases, students will complete the examinations set by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians in order to qualify as a dispensing optician.

There are six, twenty credit, modules in each of the first two years. They are all compulsory.

In the first year the modules are:

• Foundations for Learning
• Introduction to Optics
• Introduction to Ophthalmic Lenses
• Theory of General Optics
• Theory of Ophthalmic Lenses
• Communication in Ophthalmic Practice

In the second year the modules are:

• Evidence Based Ophthalmic Practice
• Standards of Practice
• Advanced Theory of Ophthalmic Lenses
• Ocular Anatomy & Physiology
• Theory of Ophthalmic Dispensing
• Paediatric Dispesning

The third year will depend on which option you choose; however, both courses will include Refractive Management, Low Vision and Contact Lenses.

The Foundation Degree and BSc (Hons) courses are based around the ABDO Syllabus and the GOC Core Curriculum for Dispensing Opticians. Both of these documents are available on request from the appropriate body.