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
the eye.
related systemic conditions affecting
- 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


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
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!
Alcon
► Optometry
-
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
-
ranked 2nd best profession
rated as one of “Best Careers 2008”
US News and World Report Dec 19, 2007
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
Median
Mean
Self-Employed
$140,000
$175,000
Salaried
$90,000
$98,000
- 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
NECO
► Private vs. state
► University v. Independent
► Ranges in tuition
► Financial aid available
Common Prerequisite Courses
► 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
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
Optometric Education
►4
year curriculum


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

Health science
Vision science
Ocular disease
Systemic disease
Optics
Binocular vision
 Clinical Rotations
Post-Optometric Education
► Residency







Primary Care Optometry
Pediatric Optometry
Geriatric Optometry
Vision Therapy
Low Vision
Cornea and contact lens
Ocular Disease
► Research
 Masters
 PhD
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
Any additional questions?
and www.opted.org
drgodard@gmail.com
The New England College
of Optometry
Dr Taline Farra
Director of Admissions
Current Colleges of Optometry
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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 Income
Median Net Income
Self-Employed
Solo
$ 134,094
$ 115,000
Partnership or group (2person)
$ 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 multidiscipline.
$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
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!
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 1st Year Stats
Ave GPA: 3.34 ± 0.29
Ave OAT AA: 331 ± 19
Class size: 115 (total apps: 739)
Males: 31
Females: 84
Boston