Pathology and Pharmacology (10 cr)

Objective

Knowledge base
Students are able to
• describe about the general pharmacology in the areas of: (1) pharmacokinetics, (2) pharmacodynamics, (3) drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system, (4) analgetics and local anesthetics, (5) antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs, (6) antibiotics, (7) antiviral drugs, (8) antiallergic drugs, (9) drugs affecting respiratory and cardiovascular systems, (10) antiseptics, disinfectants, preservatives, (11) common systemic side effects of medications
• describe about the ocular pharmacology in the area of (1) factors affecting drug absorption, (2) cycloplegics, (3) mydriatics, (4) miotics, (5) local anaesthetics, (6) vital staining agents, (7) antimicrobial agents, (8) contact lens solutions, (9) tear film substitutes, (10) decongestants, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory components, (11) ocular effects of local and systemic drugs, (12) first-aid and emergency measures used by optometrists, (13) and handling of side-effects of diagnostic drugs.
• describe about the general pathology and general diseases and how they affect to the eye and vision in the area of: (1) inflammation and repair, (2) cardiovascular diseases and the eye, (3) blood diseases and the eye, (4) endocrine diseases and the eye, (5) neurological diseases and the eye, (6) nutritional disorders, (7) rheumatoid disorders, vasculitis and collagenosis, (8) infectious diseases, (9) tumours, and (10) congenital and hereditary conditions.

Content

General pharmacology:
• Pharmacokinetics
• Pharmacodynamics
• Drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system
-Cholinergic agonists and antagonists
-Adrenergic agonists and antagonists
• Analgesics and local anaesthetics
• Antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs
• Antibiotics
• Antiviral drugs
• Antiallergic drugs
• Drugs affecting respiratory and cardiovascular system
• Antiseptics, disinfectants, preservatives
• Common systemic side effects of medications

Ocular pharmacology:
General Principles
o Factors affecting ocular drug bioavailability
o Routes of ocular drug administration
Autonomic Drugs
o Functional concepts and ocular receptor types
o Ocular cholinergic agents
o Ocular adrenergic agents
Local anaesthetics
o Properties of topical ocular anaesthetics (non-injectable)
Antihistamines

Anti-inflammatory agents
o Steroid
o Non-steroids (including mast cell stabilizers)
Chemotherapeutic agents
o Antimicrobials
o Antivirals
o Antifungals
Dyes
o Topical diagnostic agents
o Oral and intravenous agents
Hyperosmotic agents
o Topical diagnostic agents
Lubricants and tear substitutes

Preparations used with contact lenses

Toxicology
o Ocular effects from topical ocular drug administration
o Ocular effects from systemic drug administration
o Systemic effects from ocular drug administration

Pathology:
Inflammation and repair
Cardiovascular diseases and the eye
o Hypertension
o Atherosclerosis
o Carotis stenosis
o Aneurysma
o Stroke
Blood diseases and the eye
o Anemia
o Leucemia
o Lymphoma
Endocrine diseases and the eye
o Diabetes
o Grave’s disease and endocrine orbitopathy
Neurologic diseases and the eye
o Headache
o Multiple sclerosis
o Brain tumors
o Intracranial pressure
o Neuromuscular diseases
Nutritional disorders
o Malabsorption
o Alcoholism
o Vitamin deficiencies
Rheumatoid disorders, Vasculitis and Collagenosis
o Rheumatoid polyarthritis
o Morbus Bechterew
o Reiters Syndrome
o Sjogren Syndrom
o Giant cell arteriitis
Infectious diseases
o Viral diseases
o Bacterial diseases
o Fungal diseases
o Parasitic diseases
Tumours
o Brain tumours and vision
o Ocular metastasis of primary tumours
Congential and hereditary conditions
o Symptoms and signs of common genetic disorders
Symptoms and signs of common congenital disorders (foetal alcohol syndrome, rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis)

Location and time

Spring Semester 2025 Department of Optometry

Materials

The tasks and materials prepared by the teacher are covered by copyright law (Tekijänoikeuslaki 404/61), which guarantees the ownership of these materials to the teacher. Tasks and MATERIALS are not permitted to be used for purposes other than for individual studying. Dissemination of these materials is only allowed with the permission given by the teacher.

Lecture notes, articles
Books
- Lääketieteellinen farmakologia ja toksikologia (A Finnish textbook of medical pharmacology and toxicology); Heikki Ruskoaho, Jukka Hakkola, Risto Huupponen, Anu Kantele, Esa R. Korpi, Eeva Moilanen, Petteri Piepponen, Eriika Savontaus, Olli Tenhunen, Kirsi Vähäkangas (ed.); 5th edition 2019; ISBN: 978-952-360-011-9.
- Clinical Ocular Pharmacology, 5th Edition by Jimmy D. Bartlett OD DOS ScD (Author), Siret D. Jaanus PhD LHD (Author), Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-0750675765 ISBN-10: 0750675764.
- Patologia (A Finnish textbook of pathology); Markus Mäkinen, Olli Carpén, Veli-Matti Kosma, Veli-Pekka Lehto, Timo Paavonen, Frej Stenbäck (ed.); 1st edition 2012; ISBN: 978-951-656-184-7.
- Pathophysiology, The biological basis for disease in adults and children, 8th Edition by Kathryn L. McCance MS PhD (Author), Sue E. Huether MS PhD (Author), Valentina L. Brashers MD FACP FNAP (Section Editor), Neal S. Rote PhD (Section Editor), Elsevier, 2019, ISBN: 978-0-323-58347-3.
- Ocular Pathology, 8th Edition by Myron Yanoff (Author) and Joseph W. Sassani (Author), Elsevier, 2020, ISBN: 978-0-323-54755-0.

Teaching methods

Lectures
Questions, discussions and revision lessons
Independently listened recorded lectures (Moodle)
Pair work seminar
- written work
- oral presentation

Employer connections

No work placement or practicals.

Exam schedules

Written examination: Pathology 13.02.2025, retake 1 24.-27.02.2025, retake 2 17.-20.03.2025

Written examination: Pharmacology 29.04.2025, retake 1 19.-22.05.2025, retake 2 12.-14.8.2025

Retakes in EXAM.

Completion alternatives

No

Student workload

Theory 10 ECTS
- Pathology 5 ECTS with 36 h lectures followed by a 1.5-hour exam
- Pharmacology 5 ECTS with 41h lectures including 8h seminar day with oral presentation followed by a 1.5 hour exam

Further information

In case a student has a decision on special support arrangements affecting the course the student needs to contact the teacher in charge right after enrollment period.


Instructions on the use of artificial intelligence during the course are given separately. Students should familiarise themselves with Metropolia's AI guidelines and follow them in their study attainments.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to:
- display learning in professional knowledge and core content in the field
- search information from a variety of sources
- work in various duties in a variety of operating environments
- show that he has achieved the targets for core competence
- display learning in the key safety practices in the field
- act according to ethical principles
- to contribute his learning for the benefit of a group or project

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student is able to:
- use concepts and knowledge in his field systematically
- find information and assess and use information sources with a critical eye
- apply professional information in professional assignments
- apply professional expertise in various work assignments
- act independently and responsibly in professional contexts
- plan operations with safety in mind
- act according to professional ethics
- act purposefully in working groups and projects

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student is able to:
- use concepts and knowledge in his field professionally
- argue the use of his sources - argue a course of action on the basis of research information or findings
- operate in a range of duties and work situations, also in international contexts
- to act in a way that is customeroriented and displays entrepreneurial spirit
- to act responsibly, taking safety issues into consideration
- argue his choices on the basis of professional ethics
- organise and manage the operation of a group and project

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to:
- display learning in professional knowledge and core content in the field
- search information from a variety of sources
- work in various duties in a variety of operating environments
- show that he has achieved the targets for core competence
- display learning in the key safety practices in the field
- act according to ethical principles
- to contribute his learning for the benefit of a group or project

Assessment methods and criteria

Written examination represent 100% of the final course mark.
Written pair assignment returned.
Oral presentation with pair.
Written assignment approved
-
Assessment criteria :
Written examinations (pharmacology and pathology): 50% is required to pass.
Pair work seminar (written+ oral presentation);returned and approved; Pass/Redo.

To pass the course, the students are expected to attend the lectures.

Permitted aids at the examination
Standard: Pen, pencil, eraser, ruler, calculator.

Qualifications

Ocular Anatomy and Physiology, Clinical Microbiology and Investigative Techniques