Optometry: A Focus on Vision

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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

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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

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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

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The 3 Os

• Optician
• Fit, grind and dispense spectacles
• Optometry
• Primary eye care provider
• Ophthalmology
• Medical Doctor specializing in eye disease and
  surgery

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Why Optometry?

• Job satisfaction
• Provide meaningful work
• make difference in peoples 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

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Go eyes!

• Optometry ranked 2nd 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
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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

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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
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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
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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

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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

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Optometric Education

• 4 year curriculum
• Health science
• Vision science
• Ocular disease
• Systemic disease
• Optics
• Binocular vision
• Clinical Rotations

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Post-Optometric Education

• Research
• Masters
• PhD

• Residency
• Primary Care Optometry
• Pediatric Optometry
• Geriatric Optometry
• Vision Therapy
• Low Vision
• Cornea and contact lens
• Ocular Disease

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Licensure

• Doctor of Optometry degree
• Pass National Board Examinations in Optometry
• Individual State Requirements

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Significant Future Demand!

• Aging population of baby boomers will increase
  demand for optometric services
• Replacement of retiring optometrist

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Important Websites

• www.aoa.org and www.opted.org

Any additional questions? drgodard_at_gmail.com
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The New England College of Optometry

• Dr Taline Farra
• Director of Admissions

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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

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2006  Mean Net Income Median Net Income
Self-Employed Self-Employed 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 Employed By 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
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Our Main Objective

• Dedicated to making you a successful and
  cutting-edge optometrist in any setting you
  choose.

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Whats so different about NECO?

• Clinical Program
• Curriculum 2010
• Research
• College Community
• Boston and Back Bay

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The New England Eye InstituteThe Clinical
Affiliate of NECO

• Clinical network dedicated to patient care and
  clinical teaching.
• Widely distributed throughout Boston

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The New England Eye InstituteAssociate
Traditional Clinical Organizations

• NEEI Commonwealth
• Community health centers
• BU Boston Medical Center
• Tufts New England Medical Center
• VA hospitals

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The New England Eye InstituteInnovative Clinical
Programs

• Homeless Service
• Low vision and Geriatrics Service
• Pediatric school health programs and
  rehabilitation programs
• International Programs
• VOSH

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The New England Eye InstituteStudent 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

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Curriculum 2010

• Prepares you to practice as a future optometrist.
• Prepares you for Credentialing and Privileging
  within the NEEI system.

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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

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College Community

• Small private college
• Professional yet relaxed atmosphere
• Friendly students and approachable faculty
• Social events
• Beautiful building and
  facilities

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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
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Boston and the Back Bay

• A cultural center and educational leader
• Top businesses
• Education
• Health Care
• Safe Area!

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Boston
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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

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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

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Boston