The ACO Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics is designed to ensure the development of appropriate knowledge, skills and competencies to ensure graduates meet contemporary standards of therapeutic practice and are equipped with the skills to adapt to changes in the scope of therapeutic practice. The course will cover general principles and the therapeutic management of a range of ocular diseases.
Accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ) and approved by the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA), successful completion of this course will enable scheduled medicines endorsement for registered optometrists.
The course offers a flexible learning environment, ideal for rural or remote optometrists and those balancing work and other commitments.
Commencement
14 April 2025- Duration
15 – 18 months 
CPD Points Australia:
2024: 103T (58i) (1st Year: 53T/8i, 2nd Year: 50T/50i)
2025: Allocation Pending- Fees
More info
Commencement
Duration
CPD Points Australia:
FeesHow to apply
Complete the fillable form attached to the 2024 course brochure and email it to acocot@aco.org.au
Features
- Accreditation by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand
- Live, interactive webinars with expert presenters
- Online forums and networking opportunities
- Local clinical placements*
- Includes lecture on oral therapeutics in optometry
*Please note: Candidates are required to organise their own placements at a practice local to them.
Entry requirements
Candidates must be an optometry graduate and registered as an optometrist in Australia or New Zealand. Course enquiries from overseas applicants or optometrists with limited registration are welcome and should be directed to acocot@aco.org.au.
Contact Us
2025 Fees | Australia (Inc GST) Early bird (Before 15 Dec 2024) | Australia (Inc GST) | New Zealand (ex GST) Early bird (Before 15 Dec 2024) | New Zealand (ex GST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACO Member | $11,505 | $11,912 | $10,454 | $10,829 |
| Non Member | $12,158 | $12,503 | $11,042 | $11,367 |
Meet Shane, 2023 Graduate
Experienced optometrist Shane Duggan found that not having therapeutic endorsement was “restricting his ability to practice on a clinical level”. He decided to set himself a challenge to revise and update his knowledge across many areas of presenting pathology by enrolling in the Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics.
“I hoped to achieve a result whereby I felt that my knowledge of presenting symptoms and signs were sufficient that I had the capability when required to offer a patient a therapeutic solution. More importantly after many years of practice I wanted to do a refresher course on the clinical side of optometry that did not require a repeat of the full undergraduate course!
My great working relationship with our local ophthalmologists was only enhanced by spending time with them in their clinics.
Without fail, they were encouraging, willing to share their knowledge and discuss individual cases.
My clinical placements also impressed the need for all of us optometrists to provide really good referral letters. A therapeutic qualification allows deeper understanding of a presenting ocular disease or condition which makes for more comprehensive referral letters.
I am currently managing a case of severe dry eye. Having done the course, I find that I have a clearer plan of action on how to provide treatment over a longer period. I am better positioned to address the underlying causes and pathophysiology of dry eye rather than simply treating symptoms with over-the-counter lubricant eye drops.
I do recommend the course because quite simply, the optometrist graduating from this course is clinically a better optometrist. Knowing that the care that you can provide to the patient has stepped up a notch is very rewarding
Completing this course enhances one’s professional abilities, provides greater job satisfaction and gives a greater sense of personal achievement in the day-to-day business of providing optometric care in the community.”
