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. ► 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 2 nd 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 MedianMean Self-Employed$140,000$175,000 Salaried$90,000$98, American Optometric Association Economic Survey For estimated figures by location, visit:

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

Common Prerequisite Courses ► Biology with lab ► Chemistry with lab ► Physics with lab ► Organic chemistry ► Biochemistry with lab ► Microbiology with lab ► year program ► Calculus ► Psychology ► Statistics ► English ► Social Sciences ► Other Humanities

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: ► Letters of recommendation ► Optometry experience/exposure ► Personal interview

Optometric Education ► 4 year curriculum  Health science  Vision science  Ocular disease  Systemic disease  Optics  Binocular vision  Clinical Rotations

Post-Optometric Education ► Research  Masters  PhD ► Residency  Primary Care Optometry  Pediatric Optometry  Geriatric Optometry  Vision Therapy  Low Vision  Cornea and contact lens  Ocular Disease

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 ► and Any additional questions?

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

2006 Mean Net IncomeMedian Net Income Self-Employed Solo$ 134,094$ 115,000 Partnership or group (2- person) $ 176,944$ 149,000 Partnership or group (3-5 person) $ 179,205$ 141,000 Partnership or group (6 or more) $ 159,300$ 92,500 Optical chain franchise or lease $ 100,704$ 90,000 Independent contractor$ 94,520$ 94,000 Other self-employed$ 128,400$ 64,000 Employed By Optometrist (s)$102,981$ 85,000 Ophthalmologist (s)$ 115,250$100,500 HMO$107,125$104,000 Hosp/clinic/other multi- discipline. $101,867$ 98,000 Optical chain$ 91,400$ 91,000 Armed forces, VA, USPHS$ 101,579$ 84,000 Other employed$ 106,000$ 95,000

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 Institute The Clinical Affiliate of NECO  Clinical network dedicated to patient care and clinical teaching.  Widely distributed throughout Boston

The New England Eye Institute Associate Traditional Clinical Organizations  NEEI Commonwealth  Community health centers  BU Boston Medical Center  Tufts New England Medical Center  VA hospitals

The New England Eye Institute Innovative Clinical Programs  Homeless Service  Low vision and Geriatrics Service  Pediatric school health programs and rehabilitation programs  International Programs  VOSH

The New England Eye Institute Student Involvement  1 st year: Screenings  2 nd year: Clerkships  3 rd year: Primary Care Rotations  4 th 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!

Boston

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 1 st Year Stats  Ave GPA: 3.34 ± 0.29  Ave OAT AA: 331 ± 19  Class size: 115 (total apps: 739)  Males: 31Females: 84

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