Department of Special Surgery

About Us

The Department of Special Surgeries at Kenyatta University comprises four sections:

ENT Head & Neck Surgery,
Ophthalmology,
Anesthesia
Critical Care,
Dentistry/Oral Health.

We are a dynamic team, offering cutting-edge research, clinical services, and teaching programs that are relevant and up-to-date, ensuring excellence in both medical education and patient care.

Programmes

Currently, we teach Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery students on their 4^th-6^th year of study.

OPHTHALMOLOGY (3 UNITS, 105 HOURS)

PREREQUISITES

Human anatomy (HMA), Medical Physiology I & II(HMPI), Medical Biochemistry I & II (HMBI), Human Genetics (HMG 200), Pathology II (HPA II), Pharmacology (HIP), Junior clerkship internal medicine (PIM I), Junior Clerkship in surgery (HMS I), Junior clerkship in pediatrics, Junior Clerkship in Obstetrics and Gynecology (HRH).

INTRODUCTION TO OPHTHALMOLOGY

Contact hours: 35 hours, 1 unit

Purpose

To Identify the structures and functioning of the eye, which is fundamental to taking history, examination and formulating a management plan.

Expected learning outcomes

1. To recall the structures of the eye and identify their functions.

2. To describe the visual pathway.

3. To describe organogenesis of the eye.

4. To describe the processes involved in accomodation and aqueous humor dynamics.

Course content

Ophthalmic Anatomy : Structures of the eye including lid and adnexa, anterior segment, chambers of the eye, posterior segment, orbit, optic nerve, eye’s blood/ nerve supply, Ophthalmic Physiology: Visual pathways, accommodation, aqueous humour dynamics, regulation of intraocular pressure, composition and functions of the tear film.

OPHTHALMOLOGY DISORDERS

Purpose

The purpose of this course is to identify common ophthalmology disorders.

Expected Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the risk factors, genetic basis, etiology, clinical features, investigations, treatment plans for corneal disorders, refractive error, strabismus, retinoblastoma, cataract, glaucoma, optic nerve disorders, trachoma, ocular trauma and conjunctivitis.

2. Understand the pathogenesis, signs, symptoms, risk factors and list management diagnositc methods for diabetic retinopathy(DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

3. Recognize ocular manifestations of systemic diseases such as hypertensive retinopathy (HR), thyroid eye disease(TED) and sjögren's syndrome.

4. To assess, planning, implementation, and evaluation of strategies aimed at preventing, detecting, and managing eye diseases at the population level.

Course Content

The risk factors, genetic basis, etiology, clinical features, investigations, treatment plans for corneal disorders, refractive error, strabismus, retinoblastoma, cataract, glaucoma, optic nerve disorders, trachoma, ocular trauma and conjunctivitis. Pathogenesis, signs, symptoms, risk factors and list management diagnositc methods for DR and AMD. Ocular manifestations of systemic diseases; HR, TED and sjögren's syndrome. Planning, implementation, and evaluation for preventing, detecting, and managing eye diseases at the population level.

CLERKSHIP IN OPHTHALMOLOGY

Purpose of the course

The purpose of this course to enable, the student to take an ocular history, perform an ocular exam and conduct oneself professionally, maintaining high ethical standards.

Expected Learning Outcomes of the Course

1. To perform accurate assessment of visual acuity, extraocular motility, confrontation visual fields, adnexa/anterior segment examination using a pen torch and direct ophthalmoscopy.

2. Take an ocular history as well as identify common ophthalmological disorders.

3. Observe the assessment of refractive errors (RE), fundoscopy and Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT).

4. Demonstrate ability to communicate efficiently with patients regarding diagnoses and treatment.

5. To demonstrate capability to conduct oneself professional, uphold patient confidentiality and maintain high ethical standards.

Course Content

Classify distant and near visual impairment. Assess visual acuity, extraocular motility, confrontation visual fields and direct ophthalmoscopy. Adnexa and anterior segment examination using a pen torch. Observation of refraction, fundoscopy and GAT. Communicating effectively with patients regarding diagnoses and treatment plans. Professional conduct and patient confidentiality. Critical appraisal of scientific literature and evidence-based medicine. Ethical principles in ophthalmology practice.

Instructional Methods

The course will be delivered via didactic lectures, case-based discussions, role playing, rotation and clerkship in the general ophthalmology clinic as well as subspeciality clinics.

In future we shall be offering master of medicine in surgery in General surgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology and fellowship program in ophthalmology.