CourseCatalog 2021-2022

Micro-Credential Elective Programs SUNY College of Optometry offers several Micro-Credential Elective Programs designed for a select group of students to receive advanced academic, clinical and professional opportunities beyond what is provided in the core professional Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree curriculum. Completion of a micro-credential will provide additional competencies and specificity to student’s optometric education that can make them more competitive for select residency or employment opportunities. A micro-credential is not equivalent to residency training and will not be considered evidence of achieving specialist certification. The Micro-Credential Elective Programs comprises of elective course work, specialty clinic assignments during the third year, assignment to an externship in the fourth year, and a final project. Successful completion of a Micro- Credential Elective Program will be recorded on the student’s permanent transcript indicating the concentration area beyond what is provided in the OD degree curriculum. The Micro-Credential Elective Programs have limited enrollment and is very competitive. Second Year OD students, who are in good academic standing may apply for enrollment. Acceptance to the program is based on didactic and clinic performance, and subject to availability. The Micro-Credential Elective Program is offered at no cost to the student. Advanced Cornea & Contact Lenses Micro-Credential The College of Optometry's Advanced Cornea & Contact Lenses Micro-Credential was designed to provide a group of highly motivated optometry students advanced academic, clinical, and professional opportunities in the areas of corneal disease and specialty contact lenses. This concentration allows for deeper and more dedicated learning beyond what is provided in the core professional OD curriculum. Students will increase their knowledge and expertise of therapeutic contact lens management options, review major research findings on the effect of contact lenses on the ocular surface, and gain experience co-managing advanced corneal disease. The final project is one guided by a dedicated, residency-trained faculty mentor with the goal of presentation at a national or international professional conference. Glaucoma Micro-Credential The College of Optometry's Glaucoma Micro-Credential is a competitive program designed to provide a group of highly motivated students advanced academic, clinical, and professional opportunities in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of the group of diseases defined as glaucoma. This concentration allows for deeper and more dedicated learning beyond what is provided in the core professional OD curriculum. Students will review and summarize major studies on glaucoma, learn advanced competencies in examination procedures relevant to glaucoma, obtain in-depth training of imaging interpretation, and increase knowledge of surgical procedures relevant to glaucoma via glaucoma specific electives, in-house seminars, workshops and external meetings/conferences. The final project is one guided by a dedicated, residency-trained faculty mentor. Low Vision – Ocular Disease Micro-Credential: Caring for the Whole Patient The College of Optometry's Low Vision/Ocular Disease Micro-Credential was designed to provide a group of highly motivated optometry students advanced academic, clinical, and professional opportunities in in all aspects of caring for patients with ocular pathology from diagnosis and medical management of disease to rehabilitation of vision impairment. This concentration allows for deeper and more dedicated learning beyond what is provided in the core professional OD curriculum. These students will not only receive a concentration on the necessary technical skills for competency with the low vision patient, but they will also receive advanced training in patient communication and compassionate care of the patient with severe, visually debilitating eye disease. The final project is one guided by a dedicated, residency-trained faculty mentor.

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