Doctor of Optometry Microcredentials Catalog 2022-2023

Doctor of Optometry Microcredential Programs 2022-2023

What is a Microcredential?

Microcredentials are short, focused credentials designed to provide in demand skills, know-how and experience.

How does a Microcredential work? SUNY College of Optometry Microcredentials combine course work from the Doctor of Optometry Program, innovative applied learning experiences, journal clubs, projects, and advanced clinical skills and management workshops.

Who teaches Microcredentials? SUNY College of Optometry Microcredentials are taught by SUNYOPT faculty. Students have access to academic supports and campus resources.

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What are the benefits of completing a Microcredential?

Microcredentials verify, validate and attest that specific skills and/or competencies have been achieved. It will attest to your advanced knowledge in the given optometric specialty area, giving you a competitive edge for select residency or employment opportunities. Microcredential students:  Receive small group mentorship from a faculty member.  Obtain personalized, student-centered learning through thoughtfully and strategically tailored elective course work, clinic assignments, and educational opportunities.  Gain academic leadership and professional skills through case conference instruction, scholarly presentations, journal clubs, and other educational opportunities of interest.  Engage in scholarly activities, including presentations at national and international professional meetings.  Enhance their written and verbal communication skills at a professional level.  Extend their training and professional development, gaining a competitive edge for select Residency or employment opportunities.

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Microcredentials

SUNY College of Optometry offers several Microcredential Programs designed for students to receive advanced academic, clinical and professional opportunities beyond what is provided in the core professional Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree curriculum. Microcredential students explore an area of optometric practice in greater depth, while gaining complementary skill sets and experience. The Microcredential Programs are offered at no cost to students. Students enrolled in a Microcredential Program are exempt from the Doctor of Optometry elective requirements and are given priority registration for relevant electives and relevant externship placement. Successful completion of a Microcredential Program will be recorded on the student’s permanent transcript indicating the specialty area. Additionally, students are presented with a certificate of completion at graduation. A Microcredential is not equivalent to residency training and will not be considered evidence of achieving specialist certification.

Goals  To advanced knowledge and clinical skillset in a selected specialty.

 To develop appreciation of scholarly activities and pursuit of life-long learning.  To enhance written and verbal communication skills at a professional level.  To provide small group faculty mentorship to students in a selected specialty.

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MICROCREDENTIAL PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Specialty Area

Faculty Mentor

Cornea and Contact Lenses

Dr. Sharon P. Keh Dr. Anupam Laul Dr. Rebekah Lin Dr. Shelby Leach Dr. Steven Ritter

Glaucoma

Low Vision–Ocular Disease

Pediatrics

Vision Rehabilitation

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Microcredential Programs have limited enrollment and are highly competitive. Acceptance to a program is based on didactic and clinic performance, and subject to availability.

Several Microcredential Programs have special requirements, please review the relevant program page for more information.

To be considered for admission, the following requirements must be met:

 Enrolled as a full-time, second year, Doctor of Optometry (OD) student at the SUNY College of Optometry.  Students enrolled in a dual degree program are also eligible to apply (dual degree programs: OD/MS in Vision Science, OD/Advanced Graduate Certificate in Optometry Business Management, or the OD/MBA in Healthcare Leadership).

 Be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

 Demonstrate a course grade of B or higher in prerequisite academic coursework.

 Active participation in professional and/or student organizations, leadership roles preferred.

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APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS & TIMELINE

Microcredential Program Applications are reviewed by the program faculty. Interested students may only apply to one Microcredential Program specialty area.

Complete and submit the online Microcredential ProgramApplication.

APPLY NOW

Application Requirements  Statement of Intent: The statement should indicate your interest in the Microcredential Program specialty area and future professional goals (maximum 1 Page).  Prerequisite Academic Coursework MidtermGrades: All pending courses must be successfully completed with a grade of B or higher by the start of the third year in the OD program.  Cornea & Contact Lenses Microcredential: Contact Lens I Midterm Grade.  Glaucoma Microcredential: Ocular Disease I Midterm Grade.  Low Vision/Ocular Disease Microcredential: Ocular Disease I Midterm Grade.  Vision Rehabilitation Microcredential: Anomalies of Visual Sensory-Motor Functions I Midterm Grade. Application Timeline  Applications are due on April 5.  Interviews, as deemed necessary, will be scheduled in April by the Microcredential Program Faculty.  Admissions decisions will be sent to student’s SUNY Optometry E-Mail.  Admissions to a Microcredential Program is contingent on meeting the eligibility requirements (minimum 3.0 GPA and a B or higher in prerequisite coursework) by the start of the third year in the OD program.

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MICROCREDENTIAL CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

Please review the relevant Microcredential Program page for program specific requirements. General Requirements  Active participation in Microcredential Journal Club Meetings in the third and fourth years.  Meetings, scheduled by the program faculty, includes discussions of clinical cases, current scientific literature, impending research areas, preparation of professional case reports/publications, etc.  Active participation in professional and/or student organizations; leadership roles preferred.  Advanced Clinical Skills and Management Workshops as assigned by program faculty. Third Year Requirements  One Elective in the program specialty area is required (electives are subject to change).  The Independent Study in Evidence Based Practice elective, can be used to fulfil this requirement with prior approval from the program faculty.  Specialty Clinic Rotation (5-Week/15-hour commitment).  Eight Additional Specialty Clinic Sessions (approximately 4 hours/session). Fourth Year Requirements  Specialty Externship Clinic Rotation in the Fourth-Year (12-week commitment).  One Final Project  Grand Rounds Lecture/Presentation  Poster Presentation at a recognized national/international conference  Scholarly Paper  Written Case Report  Research Study

MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

Students enrolled in a Microcredential Program are expected to:  Maintain a minimum term and cumulative GPA of 3.0.  Earn a course grade of B or higher in relevant academic coursework as indicated by program.  Earn a course grade of B or higher in Third Year Optometric Clinic and Fourth Year Clinical Internship course sequences with competent or higher Professionalism grade.  Successfully complete the Microcredential Program requirements.

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CORNEA & CONTACT LENS MICROCREDENTIAL

Dr. Sharon Keh

Background Contact lenses are prescribed medical devices worn by millions of people worldwide, that provide effective vision correction and life-changing therapeutic protection of the ocular surface. There exists a wide range of contact lens types from soft, daily disposable contact lenses to custom, profilometry-designed scleral lenses.

As contact lenses are constantly evolving, it is important that practitioners stay current on the newest lens designs, indications, and fitting techniques of both irregular and regular cornea patients. Practitioners eager to gain intensive clinical and professional experience in the theory and application of contact lenses will benefit from an increased and early commitment to personal learning and growth through specialized clinical and course opportunities.

Mission Statement The Cornea and Contact Lenses Microcredential allows students to gain professional, clinical, and research experience in the theory and application of contact lenses on both healthy and diseased corneas. Students will be provided with rigorous patient-care opportunities to manage anterior segment disease, contact lens care, and corneal disease. Learning Objectives  To explore in greater depth and detail the subspecialty of Cornea and Contact Lenses.  To achieve an advanced understanding of the role of contact lens fitting and design beyond the competency achieved at the completion of the Optometry Degree.  To gain exposure to cosmetic and medical necessary contact lenses as well as corneal pathology and prosthetic fitting.  To attain experience with and knowledge of patients with complex anterior segment pathology through effective co-management.  To intimately understand at minimum three internationally-recognized contact lens designs through achieving professional certifications or attending fitting seminars/webinars.

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Cornea & Contact Lens Microcredential Curriculum Requirements

General Requirements  Active participation in the Cornea and Contact Lenses Microcredential Journal Club.  Active participation in professional and/or student organizations, e.g., CLEAR Club, leadership roles preferred.

Second Year Requirements  Letter grade of B or higher in Contact Lens I course. Third Year Requirements  Successful completion of one of the following electives:

 ELC-602: Management of the Irregular Cornea  ELC-601: Advanced Contact Lenses: Scleral Lenses  Letter grade of B or higher in Contact Lens II course.  Successful completion of the following Clinic Assignments (as assigned):  Third Year Specialty Contact Lens Clinic Rotation.  Eight Additional Contact Lens or Myopia Control Clinic Sessions.

Fourth Year Requirements  Letter grade of B or higher in the Contact Lens Externship Rotation.  Successful completion of Advanced Clinical Skills and Management Workshops, including:  Mini-competency of contact lens-related skills  Professional Workshops (e.g., residency application preparation, career planning, network building, case report writing)  Successful completion of a Final Project.

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GLAUCOMA MICROCREDENTIAL Dr. Anupam Laul

Background As primary eye care providers, optometrist are on the front line of the detection and management of Glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Glaucoma is estimated to affect 3 million Americans and it accounts for 9% to 12% of all cases of blindness in the US. Mission Statement The Glaucoma Microcredential is designed to enhance students’ knowledge and skills in all aspects of caring for a patient with glaucoma, from diagnostic and therapeutic management. Students will gain advanced expertise in exam procedures relevant to glaucoma (i.e., Gonioscopy, HVF, various tonometry methods, optic nerve visualization and drawing, various imaging methods) and explore and interpret in-depth imaging (i.e., OCT, VF, photos). Learning Objectives  To explore in greater depth and detail the group of disease defined as Glaucoma.  To improve exam procedure techniques required to effectively examine and diagnosis patients.  To review and analyze landmark studies in glaucoma.  To gain exposure and increase knowledge of surgical procedures relevant to glaucoma with possible observation.

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Glaucoma Microcredential Curriculum Requirements

General Requirements  Active participation in the Glaucoma Microcredential Journal Club.  Active participation in the SUNY Student Glaucoma Society.  Successful completion of Advanced Clinical Skills and Management Workshops (in third and fourth years), including:  Mini-Competency of Glaucoma Related Procedures (OCT Acquisition; Humphrey & Octopus VF; Gonioscopy).

 Summary of Landmark Glaucoma Studies.  Gonioscopy Assignment (Photo Review).  Structure-Function Assignment.  Intro to Case Report Writing Assignment.

Second Year  Letter grade of B or higher in Ocular Disease I course. Third Year  Successful completion of one of the following electives:  ELC-520: New Issues in Glaucoma  ELC-523: Clinical Decision Making in Glaucoma

 ELC-525: Visual Field Techniques and Applications in Glaucoma  Successful completion of the following Clinic Assignments (as assigned):  Third Year Specialty Rotation in the Glaucoma Clinic.  Eight Additional Glaucoma Clinic Sessions. Fourth Year  Letter grade of B or higher in the Glaucoma Externship Rotation.  Successful completion of a Final Project.

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LOW VISION/OCULAR DISEASE MICROCREDENTIAL Dr. Rebekah Lin

Background As experts in visual function and ocular disease, optometrists are uniquely qualified to provide low vision rehabilitation services. With optometry’s shift to a more medical model, low vision services have decreased, even through the number of visually impaired patients is increasing. This void leaves many patients that would benefit from low vision rehabilitation without proper referrals and without proper care. Low vision rehabilitation has profound implications for patient independence, activities of daily living, and quality of life. Without medical treatments to reverse leading causes of visual impairment, such as dry age-related macular degeneration, low vision rehabilitation remains the standard of care for managing these patients. The number of patients that are visually impaired is projected by the National Eye Institute to double to more than 8 million by 2050. There is and will continue to be a significant need for low vision rehabilitation to maintain independence and quality of life for these patients with ocular disease. Mission Statement The Low Vision/Ocular Disease Microcredential is aimed at increasing students' expertise in all aspects of caring for a patient with ocular pathology, from medical management of disease to rehabilitation of vision impairment. Students will not only develop the necessary technical skills to be competent providers, but they will study the art of doctoring to truly care for these patients with humanity and compassion. Learning Objectives  To develop understanding of the management of low vision rehabilitation services.  To increase knowledge of the various delivery models of patient care and how they are influenced.  To obtain additional exposure in advanced care.

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Low Vision/Ocular Disease Microcredential Curriculum Requirements

General Requirements  Active participation in the Low Vision/Ocular Disease Microcredential Journal Club.  Successful completion of Advanced Clinical Skills and Management Workshops.

Second Year  Letter grade of B or higher in Ocular Disease I course. Third Year  Successful completion of one of the following electives:  ELC-522: Clinical Decision Making in Low Vision

 ELC-525: Visual Field Techniques and Applications of Glaucoma  ELC-520: New Issues in Glaucoma  Letter grade of B or higher in the Ocular Disease II & III courses.  Letter grade of B or higher in the Low Vision course.  Successful completion of the following Clinic Assignments (as assigned):  Third Year Specialty Rotation in Low Vision Clinic.  Eight Additional Low Vision Clinic Sessions.

Fourth Year  Letter grade of B or higher in the Specialized Low Vision Rehabilitation and Advanced Care In-House Externship Rotation, which includes:  4 Sessions of Low Vision Rehabilitation.  5 Sessions of Advanced Care (Glaucoma; Retina; Neuro-Optometric Care; Electro Diagnostics/VEP; Specialty Contact Lens).  1 Session of Medical Humanities (social work intakes; participation in low vision support groups; review of literature and studies on topics related to ocular disease, low vision, and the art of doctoring).  Successful completion of a Final Project. 13

PEDIATRIC MICROCREDENTIAL Dr. Shelby Leach

Background Vision plays a major role in a child’s learning and development. Kids often do not complain of issues with their eyes; therefore, optometrists capable of performing a thorough examination and appropriate management is vital to ensuring a lifetime of optimal vision and eye health. According to the American Optometric Association, a child’s first eye exam should be between 6 and 12 months of age. By pre-school, around 1 in 5 children have vision problems and 1 in 4 school-aged kids wear corrective lenses. Common pediatric ocular conditions such as uncorrected refractive error, amblyopia, and strabismus must be managed promptly to avoid serious vision loss. Most optometrists are not comfortable examining young children since exam flow usually needs to be adapted on the spot and remain continually flexible. The testing must be ability appropriate and rely on both objective and subjective results. Hands-on experience in the various pediatric clinics is the most direct way to become comfortable with examining all ages and levels of development. Mission Statement The Pediatric Microcredential is meant to develop students' expertise in the areas of general pediatrics, children with disabilities, infant vision care, and myopia management. Students will learn how to efficiently and effectively examine the pediatric population while building a solid foundation in a variety of pediatric ocular conditions and diseases. Learning Objectives  To explore the field of pediatric optometry through multidisciplinary and collaborative care.  To develop techniques required to effectively examine the pediatric population, including infants and children of all ages, from basic to complex cases.  To gain exposure and learn how to diagnose and manage a variety of complicated and uncommon pediatric ocular diseases.  To increase knowledge and experience in emerging myopia management options.  To gain experience working in a hospital setting and co-managing with pediatric ophthalmology.  To increase familiarity with a wide variety of genetic and childhood acquired vision disorders.  To foster a life-long passion for enhancing the visual quality of life in the disabled population.

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Pediatric Microcredential Curriculum Requirements

General Requirements  Active participation in the Pediatric Microcredential Journal Club.  Successful completion of Advanced Clinical Skills and Management Workshops (in third and fourth years), including:  Vision Screenings  Pediatric Bootcamp  Mini-Project(s) Third Year  Successful completion of the (ELC-544) Advanced Topics: Pediatric Ocular Disease elective.  An additional elective is recommended, but not required:  ELC-542: Vision and Learning Intensive  Letter grade of B or higher in Pediatric Optometry and Vision Development (POVD) course.  Successful completion of the following Clinic Assignments (as assigned):  Third Year Specialty Rotation in in the Pediatrics, Myopia, or CSN Clinics.  Eight Additional Pediatrics, Myopia, or CSN Clinic Sessions. Fourth Year  Letter grade of B or higher in the Pediatric In-House Externship Rotation.  Successful completion of a Final Project.

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VISION REHABILITATION MICROCREDENTIAL Dr. Steven Ritter

Background As experts in visual function, optometrist have a unique opportunity to help patients maximize the visual function and develop treatment strategies tailored to each individual patient. The overall goal of vision rehabilitation is to treat vision problems that cannot be treated successfully with eyeglasses, contact lenses and or surgery alone. The void of training in this specialty leaves many patients that would benefit from vision rehabilitation without proper referrals and without proper care. Vision rehabilitation has profound implications for patient activities of daily living, and quality of life. There is evidence to suggest an improvement in overall quality of life and emotional wellbeing after vision rehabilitation Benoit (2010). While medical treatments address the physical manifestations and signs of many conditions, vision rehabilitation remains a treatment modality to improve patient’s visual function and activities of daily living. Mission Statement Vision Rehabilitation is an umbrella term encompassing, binocular and oculomotor visual skills, strabismus/amblyopia, traumatic brain injury, biofeedback, and visual perceptual difficulties as well as low vision field loss. The mission of the Vision Rehabilitation Microcredential is to guide highly motivated students in becoming more capable and confident in the independent diagnosing and managing of these patients. Learning Objectives  To increase knowledge and experience in binocular vision disorders including but not limiting to amblyopia, strabismus, nystagmus, acquired brain injury.  To advance expertise in developing and implementing individualized treatment plans with goals and session planning.  To gain experience working with ophthalmologist, physiatrists, neurologist, psychologist, occupational and physical therapists to care for patients.

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Vision Rehabilitation Microcredential Curriculum Requirements

General Requirements  Active participation in the Vision Rehabilitation Microcredential Journal Club.  Active participation in COVD or NORA club/organization.  Successful completion of Advanced Clinical Skills and Management Workshops. Second Year  Letter grade of B or higher in Anomalies of Visual Sensory-Motor Functions I course.

Third Year  Successful completion of one of the following electives:

 ELC-513: Neuro-Optometric Management of Acquired Brain Injury  ELC-542: Vision and Learning Intensive

 ELC-603: Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Management in Vision Rehabilitation  Letter grade of B or higher in Anomalies of Visual Sensory-Motor Functions II course.  Successful completion of the following Clinic Assignments (as assigned):  Third Year Specialty Rotation in the Vision Rehabilitation Clinic.  Learning Disabilities Clinic with Dr. Larson or Dr. Pass (Psychologist).  Head Trauma Intake and/or Support Groups with the Social Worker.  Skills/Strab Work-Up and Therapy.  Eight Additional Vision Rehabilitation/Head Trauma Clinic Sessions. Fourth Year  Letter grade of B or higher in the Specialized Vision Rehabilitation In-House Externship Rotation, which includes:  Biofeedback Skills Work-Ups and Therapy; Perceptual Work-Ups; Strabismus Work Ups and Therapy; Hybrid Head Trauma Work-Up and Therapy.  A day at Ezra Medical Center performing comprehensive pediatric eye exams, skills and strabismus work ups, myopia control (examinations and treatment with atropine and soft multifocals), perceptual work ups and rehabilitation.  Placement in Low Vision Rehabilitation in the 4th Year Clinical Internship.  Placement in Biofeedback Visual Skills Clinic if not completed in the Externship.  Successful completion of a Final Project. 17

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