Dunstone Insight

Derek Dunstone has considerable experience teaching and is an Examiner and Assessor for the College of Optometrists

Private tutorials are also available — practical and theoretical tuition by appointment.

Courses are held in private Practice in South Suffolk for Ophthalmologists and other eye care practitioners. Courses can be tailor made if required and be held at alternative locations or countries by arrangement. For example, a one week course in optics, refraction (including advanced retinoscopy techniques) and low vision service was held in Mater Dei Hospital, Malta in October 2011.

Thank you for your interest in this course, which has been held at least three times each year since September 2000. I am an Assessor and Examiner for The College of Optometrists and the course is held in my private practice in South Suffolk. Hadleigh is a historic market town, which has a good choice of accommodation and is situated 9 miles from Ipswich.

The object of the course is to teach the theory and practice of refraction and is of particular help for those studying for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Practical Refraction Certificate examination. A detailed step-by-step guide on to how to successfully refract will be taught giving an enormous amount of tips, which will mean you can return to practice your refraction with much more confidence. Tuition will be provided into each of the 16 OSCE station subject areas. The course is suitable both for doctors just starting to refract, as well as those wishing to fine-tune their technique.

The course covers in lectures, demonstrations and workshops the following topics: -

Refraction skills will be assisted by supervised practice on fellow delegates and model eyes. Each delegate may thus be asked to have soft contact lenses inserted to induce ametropia.

Registration is from 2pm on the Friday, with lectures running from 2.30pm to 8.30pm. The course then runs 9.30am - 5pm on the Saturday. The Friday session teaches Geometric and Clinical Optics (including ametropia and its correction), Assessment of Vision, and Retinoscopy and Subjective Clinical Refraction lectures. The Saturday session will run 9.30pm – 5pm and includes refraction demonstration, refraction workshops (where delegates can practice on each other and ask questions in small groups) and focimetry workshop. The fee for this two day course is £458 (£424 + £34 VAT), and includes supper on the Friday and lunch on Saturday.

If you are unable to attend the course you are most welcome to attend for individual tuition, which is available by appointment and can be provided in person or via Skype! I often provide individual tuition for those unable to attend a course, or who want assistance in a specific area of refraction or optics, and this teaching is always found to be very useful by the delegates. The sessions can be from anything from 3 hours up to 12 hours (over 2 days) and normally include a couple of hours theory/teaching, a refraction demonstration, practice on patients and mock examination if required. The sessions can be tailored to your own requirements and my fee is £130 per hour.

To secure your place at any of these courses, please complete the application form and forward with payment. A map, details of recommended local accommodation and receipt will be posted once your application form and payment are received. (Directions and recommended local accommodation are also included on the Map page of this website).

"Excellent course- really enjoyed the weekend. This is a very good introduction to practical refraction delivered by a very friendly and experienced team of opticians. I would strongly recommend this course to any trainee preparing for the RCOphth refraction Certificate." Robert Barry Sept 2011

"Excellent summary of practical refraction and optics! Very good presentation with enthusiastic and engaging manner. Another practical session would be useful to consolidate some of the princilples but otherwise great refresher for exam! Also very much enjoyed Sally's cakes!" Sarith Makuloluwe, June 2011

"An excellent introduction to refraction theory and practice, particularly for anyone who has little experience in refraction". Neda Minakaran, Feb 2011

"Excellent course, good value for money, very keen and pleasant teacher" Peter Cikatricis, Feb 2011

"Very systematic approach to learn refraction. Really helped build up my confidence for future exam as well as clinical practice." Shweta Singh, September 2010

"Comprehensive. Very useful insight, gives various pitfalls." Cindy Chia, September 2010

"Excellent course. Very informal, friendly and taught in a pleasant atmoshere that encourages interactive learning." Gustavo Fleveiredo, Sept 2010

"Very comprehensive. Fantastic preparation for exams. Learnt a lot that I never could have just by reading books. Friendly and supportive." Luke Nicholson May 2010

"I attended the course with no previous experience of refraction. The lecture component was extremely clear and accompanied by a handout of all the lecture slides. The hands on practical experience which was conducted in small groups by Derek and his very able colleague was invaluable and made all the difference. By the end of the two days we all had a clear insight into what is important for the Certificate in Refraction. Of equal importance, I felt that I am now equipped to begin practising at full refractions using a structured methodology which is applicable to all groups of patients. Supper at the pub on Saturday evening was a pleasant social experience. In summary this course is to be highly recommended" Dr Chris Carter January 2010

"I would highly recommend this course. Derek Dunstone is an extremely skilled teacher with lots of invaluable advice for those just starting to refract or for those already quite experienced". Andrea Ryan

".... thank you for the excellent tuition on your course at the beginning of January. I think that the main thing I gained from the course was the development of a reliable system for refracting, developed through all your useful tips, that would stand me in good stead for whatever was thrown at me in the exam. " Dr Oliver Comyn

"Excellent tips and practice in clinical refraction with a good overview of optics and use of instruments." Dr Arun Moreira

"Excellent introduction that I feel will serve me well as I gain clinical experience- thank you" Dr Ben Drew

"I did the course with you nine months after starting in ophthalmology and passed my part 2 at the first attempt. I had not done any refraction prior to the course and felt it was a very good introduction to both the optics of refraction and actual practical refraction. I also thoroughly enjoyed the course." Clare Kelliher MRCOphth

"Thank you for providing clarity on a potentially confusing subject. Lots of practical tips given. Well worth attending." Shivani Kasbekar, May 2010

"Excellent course with fantastic refraction teaching. I feel much more confident with refraction now." Sonali Nagenoran, May 2010

I am not currently providing courses or tuition for Pre-registration Optometrists due to my responsibilities as a College of Optometrist OSCE Examiner and Assessor.

Please contact me derek@dunstoneinsight.com if you have any questions regarding the courses held in the practice or if you are interested in individual tutorial or mock examination.

Derek Dunstone 01473 823755