Competence Upgrade Diagnostica

• You know the basics of clinical optometry.
• You know the anatomical structure of the eye and its physiology.
• You know the general pathology, can recognise it in the eye and act accordingly.
• You know the basic optometric examination methods (skiascopy, ophthalmoscopy, topography) and are proficient with the slit lamp (incl. slit lamp flow).

• You know the pharmacological effects and side effects of topical diagnostic ophthalmic drugs.
• You know the necessary pre- and post-treatment examinations when using diagnostics.
• You know the relevant emergency plans and measures and be able to implement them in your company.
• You know the legal regulations for the acquisition, use and storage of diagnostics.
• You have a basis for decision-making on the use of diagnostics and will be able to use them appropriately.

• You are able to systematically assess the posterior segment of the eye with the aid of suitable examination methods (including the use of diagnostic ophthalmics) and appropriate medical technology.
• You know the typical pathological changes in the peripheral retina, the optic disc and the macula.

• You are able to make decisions about the use, dosage and type of cycloplegics in children, apply them appropriately for their age, interpret the results and communicate them.
• You know the changes in the ocular system caused by cycloplegia and are able to take these into account in interpretation and prescription.
• You are able to recognise the risk of myopia progression, initiate appropriate measures and review the course.

• You directly apply what they have learned in practice / in their daily work and implement this accurately.
• You document the anamnesis, measurements, potential diagnosis of the patient correctly and in such a way that it is understandable for others (ophthalmologists, orthoptists).
• You know how to write referrals to ophthalmologists (or other doctors) and formulate what you have seen and measured correctly and understandably.
• You are able to discuss specific cases in colloquium and with colleagues.

• You know the new legal situation (GesBG) and the corresponding rights and duties.
• You are able to decide on the use of medical technology under economic aspects.
• You will be able to adequately calculate the costs of your services and charge them in a market-economical way.

Dr. med. habil. Gábor Márk Somfai, PhD is senior physician at the Stadtspital Waid and Triemli since 2020, before that he worked as senior physician and head of education and training at the Augenzentrum Olten (Pallas Kliniken). His focus is on retinal imaging, diabetic retinopathy and cataract

Manuel Fahrbach is project manager and PhD student at the Swiss Institute for Small and Medium Enterprises at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). He leads ERFA groups in various industries and is a lecturer in executive education. Before his doctorate, he worked for two years at a large management consultancy.

Didier Herrmann has been a lecturer at the FHNW since 2020. Most recently he was head of the contact lens department at the USZ ( Zurich), where he treated patients with complex corneal problems as well as infants from the age of 8 weeks with contact lenses. Mr. Herrmann attended the SHFA course and was one of the first Swiss to successfully complete the ECOO European Diploma in 2006, he also graduated the MAS Optometry at the FHNW.

The upgrade is exclusively offered to graduates of the «SHFA/IFAO» or owners of an equivalence of «diplomierter Augenoptiker/in Schweiz» and with the additional education Bachelor of Science or Master of Science of Salus University (PCO) or Master of Science of Aalen University.

The university course gives the participants the skills to use diagnostic ophthalmic according to Swiss law (GesBG). The Upgrade includes the following parts: diagnostics, ocular pathology, pediatrics, business and law.

Additional Workshop for equivalence "diplomierte/r Augenoptiker/in"
06.09.2021, Olten

1. Workshop
25.-26.10.2021, Olten

2. Workshop
29.11.-30.11.2021, Olten

Practical exam for equivalence "diplomierte/r Augenoptiker/in"
01.12.2021, Olten

3. Workshop
24.01.-25.01.2022, Olten

Practical Exam 
26.01.2022, Olten

• Bachelor of Science of Optometry FHNW
• The university course gives the participants the skills to use diagnostic ophthalmic according to Swiss law (GesBG)

Unfortunately, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SBFI and its contractor for the examination of the equivalence of foreign titles, the Swiss Red Cross SRK, still does not seem to see any possibility for the recognition and equivalence of foreign MSc titles to the BSc Optometry FHNW. This assessment is the sole responsibility of the Swiss Confederation and the above-mentioned authorities and may change at any time.

With the Competence Upgrade Diagnostica, the FHNW is initially enabling a specific, clearly defined group of colleagues to attend the upgrade and at the same time receive a Bachelor of Science in Optometry from the FHNW.

In order to be able to credit the preliminary work to a BSc degree course, as in this case, the specific content of the BSc must be precisely known and proven by means of hours and competence descriptions. Unfortunately, the educational structure in Europe and worldwide in the field of optics, ophthalmic optics and optometry is extremely heterogeneous. An optometrist from Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Spain, England or any other country has received a partly completely different education with completely different competences in the clinical field.

The training contents of the SHFA/IFAO, on the other hand, are well known. The previous institution has conducted these preparatory courses itself. The contents were precisely tailored to the Swiss market, including clinical orientation and the corresponding Swiss legislation 

It is not possible for the Institute of Optometry at this point in time to credit other higher education courses, even with the corresponding equivalence from the federal government, as preliminary work in such a way that the award of a BSc Optometry with an upgrade course could be justified.

Of course, we see the need and try to offer this possibility in the form of a slightly different, extended training. Unfortunately, our resources are limited, as we are simultaneously developing a part-time BSc program.

We know in detail the skills you have acquired at the SHFA. If you can present the entire course of the SHFA with the corresponding final certificate, you will be admitted to the Competence Upgrade Diagnostica with the corresponding additional MSc/MAS/BSc.

Unfortunately, the SHFA was not a real higher technical college (not accredited by the Swiss Government) and only lasted two instead of three years. The SBFI, therefore, does not allow the "later acquisition of NTE diplomas ", which is normally intended for graduates of HF schools, to be used in optometry. An upgrade of the old training of the SHFA to the BSc in Optometry is expected to take about one year of full-time training. This offer will only be available after we can offer the BSc in parallel to work. 

Please contact the SRK (Swiss Red Cross) for an equivalence check.

Depending on the nature of your higher education, you may need to apply to the authorities for an equivalence test. Please contact the SRK (Swiss Red Cross) for an equivalence assessment.