The curriculum for the qualification will be based on the guidelines outlined by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in The Ophthalmic Common Clinical Competency Framework
The curriculum will provide practitioners with the skills and knowledge to:
- Recognise the signs and symptoms of cataract
- Perform a comprehensive examination of a patient with cataract
- Inform patients about cataract, the prognosis and management, providing them with relevant and accessible information and advice
- Make appropriate management decisions in a patients with cataract
- Plan with patients their target refraction and demonstrate an understanding of IOL power calculations
- Identify patients who are at higher risk of complications during cataract surgery and explain the risks to the patient
- Evaluate the principles of consent, where it applies and demonstrate an understanding of the consent process
- Analyse the surgical techniques that are used to minimise intraocular complications, maximise visual outcome and optimise patient satisfaction
- Perform a post-operative assessment of a patient who has undergone cataract surgery
- Identify and appropriately manage post-operative complications
- Understand the roles and aims of allied health professionals in cataract shared care and appraise local cataract pathways in achieving these aims
