Course_Catalog

The Doctor of Optometry (OD) Degree Program

HEGIS Code 1209 The professional program leading to the Doctor of Optometry (OD) at The SUNY College of Optometry is four years in duration. The curriculum integrates the basic biological and vision sciences that form the foundation of clinical practice, teaches the fundamentals of optometry and develops critical thinking for patient care and clinical decision making. Patient care begins early and continues throughout all four years of the program with increasing responsibilities under the supervision of our clinical faculty at the University Eye Center (UEC) as well as through a minimum of two quarters during the fourth year at externship sites nationally and internationally. The first two years of the program concentrate on integrating basic biological and visual sciences with clinical practice, while developing and understanding the theory and fundamentals of ocular examination, treatment and therapy. Students begin working in the UEC clinics in the first year and continue with greater responsibilities in subsequent years. Direct patient care begins in the spring of the second year. The third year integrates didactic and clinical teaching further and students care for patients in primary care and in various specialty services. Clinical education in the fourth year is delivered in four, 12 week quarters. In the fourth year, students work as interns with patient care responsibilities and are assigned to multiple rotations through various clinics in the UEC and at least two external sites at various hospitals, other health care facilities and private practices as part of our externship program. Opportunities for rotations through one of the College’s international clinical affiliates also exist. After the successful completion of the fourth year, the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree is awarded. Once state licensing exams are passed, the graduate is qualified to begin practicing. Curriculum Features: Tracks and Integration The curriculum during the first, second and third years is delivered in two, 16-week semesters each year. A 10-week summer session takes place in the third year.

The curriculum features seven learning tracks: Department of Biological and Vision Sciences • Systemic and Ocular Health • Refractive Conditions • Visual Perception and Sensorimotor Control

Department of Clinical Education • Clinical Examination – Optometric Theory and Clinical Optometry • Public Health and Community Optometry • Optometric Clinic • Integrative

The Integrative track is designed to help students integrate clinical knowledge and skills with the basic sciences that form the foundation of the profession. In the third year, the integrative seminar is directly tied to the student’s patient care assignments and takes place in the clinic in units called “pods,” which are comprised of small groups of students and two clinical faculty supervisors.

9