|
|
|
| ||||
Module: The Human Eye
Mosaic
Project Overview
The
Human Eye Mosaic is a module designed to incorporate current scientific research
into the existing classroom curriculum of a secondary level Human Anatomy and
Physiology course. The laboratory
research used in this module involves the use of a dual-tracer method of
fluorescent angiography as a tool for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy in the
early stages, thus possibly saving the vision of many people with diabetes.
The central focus of this module is Patient X who is suffering from an
eye disorder. The students are
asked to help diagnose the medical problem of Patient X.
Challenge
1 introduces
students to the anatomy and physiology of the human eye.
Students are divided into teaching teams and each team is assigned
specific structures of the eye to research and present to the class.
Next, students study the physiology of vision by doing laboratory
investigations. Students are then
asked to use their knowledge of anatomy and physiology to determine the parts of
the eye that might be involved in the medical problem of Patient X.
They are asked to justify their choices using the scientific principles
they have just studied. Challenge
2
introduces students to various diagnostic tests that might be useful in
determining the cause of the medical problem of Patient X.
After testing themselves, the students are asked to analyze the lab test
results of Patient X and determine the relevance of each test to the medical
condition in question. Next, students research diseases of the eye and prepare
multimedia presentations to give to the class.
After the presentations, students are asked to determine the disease
causing the medical problems of Patient X and to evaluate their choices of the
structures of the eye involved. Challenge
3
involves students in researching and discussing the treatment options currently
available for diabetic retinopathy. Students study membrane permeability and
learn the structural and physiological effects of diabetic retinopathy on the
eye. They end the module by
practicing some of the methodology involved in a new research study of retinal
vascular permeability determined by using dual-tracer fluorescence angiography. If
successful, this research will provide a method for early diagnosis of increased
permeability in the retinal vasculature before the vessels begin to hemorrhage.
This condition could then be treated earlier and could lessen or prevent
damage to the eyes of people with diabetes. |
*opens in new browser window