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Optometry: A Focus on Vision. Brian Godard, O.D. Optometrist Presentation created by: Taline Farra , OD, MSc , FAAO Associate Professor of Optometry New England College of Optometry Director of Admissions. What is a Doctor of Optometry?. A primary health care professional for the eye.
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Optometry: A Focus on Vision Brian Godard, O.D. Optometrist Presentation created by: TalineFarra, OD, MSc, FAAO Associate Professor of Optometry New England College of Optometry Director of Admissions
What is a Doctor of Optometry? • A primary health care professional for the eye. • Examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures. • Identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye. - American Optometric Association
What do Doctors of Optometry do? • Healthy eyes • Myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia • Binocular vision • Eye diseases • Treated with pharmaceutical agents • Systemic disease with ocular manifestations • DM, HTN, thyroid, cancer, HIV • Provide pre/post-op care • Cataract, refractive, retinal, laser surgery
The 3 O’s • Optician • Fit, grind and dispense spectacles • Optometry • Primary eye care provider • Ophthalmology • Medical Doctor specializing in eye disease and surgery
Why Optometry? • Job satisfaction • Provide meaningful work • make difference in people’s lives • Immediate gratification • Clean work • Patients like coming to see you! • Regular hours (full time vs part time) • Minimal emergency calls • Good income • Freedom in choosing location to live and practice • = Good quality of life ______________________________________________________
Go eyes! • Optometry ranked 2nd best profession • US News and World Report Jan 5, 2006 • Optometry rated “excellent” in a guide to careers • US News and World Report March 19, 2007 • Optometry rated as one of “Best Careers 2008” • US News and World Report Dec 19, 2007 Alcon
Modes of Practice • Solo Private Practice • Partnership or Group Practice • Interdisciplinary Care • Retail/Optical Settings • Optometric/Ophthalmologic Professional Settings • Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) • Military/Public Health • Academic/Research • Corporate/Industrial • Consultants
Annual Net Income Potential - 2007 American Optometric Association Economic Survey For estimated figures by location, visit: www.salary.com
Colleges of Optometry • 16 Colleges/Schools of Optometry in the US. • No valid ranking of Optometry schools. • Accreditation • Private vs. state • University v. Independent • Ranges in tuition • Financial aid available NECO
Biology with lab Chemistry with lab Physics with lab Organic chemistry Biochemistry with lab Microbiology with lab 3 + 4 year program Calculus Psychology Statistics English Social Sciences Other Humanities Common Prerequisite Courses
Requirements for Optometry School • A properly completed application for admission, including a personal essay • Official transcripts from all colleges attended • Official Optometry Admission Test (OAT) scores (for more info: www.opted.org) • Letters of recommendation • Optometry experience/exposure • Personal interview
4 year curriculum Health science Vision science Ocular disease Systemic disease Optics Binocular vision Clinical Rotations Optometric Education
Research Masters PhD Residency Primary Care Optometry Pediatric Optometry Geriatric Optometry Vision Therapy Low Vision Cornea and contact lens Ocular Disease Post-Optometric Education
Licensure • Doctor of Optometry degree • Pass National Board Examinations in Optometry • Individual State Requirements
Significant Future Demand! • Aging population of baby boomers will increase demand for optometric services • Replacement of retiring optometrist
Important Websites • www.aoa.org and www.opted.org Any additional questions? drgodard@gmail.com
The New England College of Optometry Dr Taline Farra Director of Admissions
Current Colleges of Optometry • Illinois College of Optometry • Indiana College of Optometry • Inter American University of Puerto Rico • Michigan College of Optometry (Ferris State) • New England College of Optometry • Northeastern State University (in Oklahoma) • NOVA Southeastern University • The Ohio State University • Pacific University (in Oregon) • Pennsylvania College of Optometry • Southern California College of Optometry • Southern College of Optometry • State University of New York • University of Alabama (Birmingham) • University of California (Berkeley) • University of Missouri (St Louis) • University of Houston
Our Main Objective • Dedicated to making you a successful and cutting-edge optometrist in any setting you choose.
What’s so different about NECO? • Clinical Program • Curriculum 2010 • Research • College Community • Boston and Back Bay
The New England Eye InstituteThe Clinical Affiliate of NECO • Clinical network dedicated to patient care and clinical teaching. • Widely distributed throughout Boston
The New England Eye InstituteAssociate Traditional Clinical Organizations • NEEI Commonwealth • Community health centers • BU Boston Medical Center • Tufts New England Medical Center • VA hospitals
The New England Eye InstituteInnovative Clinical Programs • Homeless Service • Low vision and Geriatrics Service • Pediatric school health programs and rehabilitation programs • International Programs • VOSH
The New England Eye InstituteStudent Involvement • 1st year: Screenings • 2nd year: Clerkships • 3rd year: Primary Care Rotations • 4th year: Full-time patient care • Community-based health center • Veterans Affairs Medical Center • Special Populations • Elective Rotation
Curriculum 2010 • Prepares you to practice as a future optometrist. • Prepares you for Credentialing and Privileging within the NEEI system.
Research • Among the top optometry schools in National Eye Institute research funding. • Only private optometry school committed to research • Combined M.Sc./O.D. Program for selected students
College Community • Small private college • Professional yet relaxed atmosphere • Friendly students and approachable faculty • Social events • Beautiful building and facilities
College Community State of residence for NECO students over the last 4 years International: Bulgaria - 1 Cambodia - 1 China - 3 Ghana - 1 India - 3 Iran - 2 Israel - 1 Nigeria - 1 Pakistan - 2 Panama - 1 Russia - 2 Spain - 1 Taiwan - 1 UK - 6 Yugoslavia - 1
Boston and the Back Bay • A cultural center and educational leader • Top businesses: • Education • Health Care • Safe Area!
NECO Pre-requisites • Biology (with lab): 2 sem or 3 quarters • Chemistry (with lab): 2 sem or 3 quarters • Physics (with lab): 2 sem or 3 quarters • O-Chem (with lab): 1 sem or 2 quarters • Microbiology: 1 sem or 2 quarters • Math (incl calc): 2 sem or 3 quarters • Psychology: 1 sem or 2 quarters • English: 2 sem or 3 quarters
NECO Current 1st Year Stats • Ave GPA: 3.34 ± 0.29 • Ave OAT AA: 331 ± 19 • Class size: 115 (total apps: 739) • Males: 31 Females: 84