Curriculum

Biochemistry for Optometry

This course is designed to help optometry students integrate biochemistry with concepts related to ocular pathology, and therapeutic treatment.

General and Histological Anatomy

Gross and microscopic anatomy of the body with emphasis on head and neck anatomy and organ systems.

Geometric Optics

Vergence, ray tracing and image formation. Refracting and reflecting surfaces, lenses, prisms, model eyes. Magnification, apertures and stops, astigmatism, prismatic effects of lenses, aberrations.

Introduction to Primary Care Testing I

Through lecture and direct patient care, students will learn technical skills for parts of the optometric examination. Interpretation of tests will be covered superficially. Professionalism and interpersonal skills will be emphasized.

Ocular Anatomy

Human gross anatomy of the head and neck with special emphasis on the eye and orbit; histology and embryology of the eye and associated structures.

Introduction to Optometry Business**

Introduction to the business aspects of the profession of optometry to help students understand and better prepare for their future as an optometrist from a business and financial perspective.

Pathophysiology I

Provides a comprehensive introduction to pathology, including: inflammation, genetic disease, and neoplasia. Pathophysiology of blood, GI, endocrine, and respiratory systems will be examined in detail.

Practice of Optometry

Professionalism, clinical decision making, SOAP format, medical records, patient rights, HIPAA, clinical ethics in optometry, diversity and cultural competency.

Epidemiology, Public Health and Environmental Vision

This course will explore epidemiological theories as they related to public health. Community aspects of providing vision care, environmental influences on visual performance, and protection from diseases/hazards to the eye and visual system will also be covered.

General and Visual Neuroanatomy

Anatomy of the central and peripheral nervous system with special emphasis on autonomic system and anatomy of the visual system.

Introduction to Primary Care Testing II*

Through direct patient care experiences, students will learn technical skills for parts of the optometric examination. Interpretation of tests will be covered superficially. Professionalism and interpersonal skills will be emphasized.

Microbiology for Optometry

This course is designed to help optometry students integrate microbiology with concepts related to ocular pathology, and therapeutic treatment.

Ocular Physiology

Functions and organic processes of the components of the eye and surrounding structures.

Optics of the Eye

Optics of ametropias and their correction, classification and etiology of refractive errors, schematic eyes, retinal image size, optics of clinical instruments, optics of accommodation, aberrations of the eye.

Pathophysiology II

The pathophysiology of the nervous system, muscle systems, cardiovascular, renal, and immune systems. Students will integrate information from VisSci 6130.

Physical Optics and Photometry

Principles of photometry and colorimetry; light sources; diffraction, polarization, interference, electromagnetic waves, quantum optics, lasers.

Introduction to Clinical Diagnostic Reasoning in Optometry

A week long Keystone course taken at the end of first year. Using a problem-based learning format, optometric cases will be utilized to model and develop diagnostic reasoning skills emphasizing basic science and systemic disease.

OptomEyes

The OptomEyes seminar is designed to help new students explore their personal identity and increase self-awareness, navigate the transition to optometry school, identify opportunities to personalize their education, and launch their development as leaders.

Anterior Segment Ocular Disease

Abnormalities and diseases of anterior segment of the eye with emphasis on identification, diagnosis and general management.

Basic and Ocular Pharmacology

An introduction to the mechanism of action and side effects of pharmacologic agents.

Ocular Care Techniques

Introduction to techniques used in assessment of ocular health and diagnosis and management of ocular disease.

Ophthalmic Optics

Optics of single-vision and multifocal lenses; measurement and fitting of spectacles; lens materials, design and manufacturing; aberrations; prism and centration; managing anisometropia; tints and coatings.

Optometric Examination

The underlying concepts and interrelationships of optometric tests to permit the development of diagnosis and treatment plans for a specified series of optometric problems.

Advanced Ocular Care Techniques

Investigation of advanced clinical techniques used in the assessment of ocular health and in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease.

Clinical Ocular Pharmacology

Application of pharmacology principles in the clinical setting with emphasis on differential diagnosis and matching drug selection and dosage determination with disease severity.

Billing and Coding**

This course introduces students to the billing & coding aspects of the profession of optometry. This knowledge is critical to the successful practice of optometry, regardless of career path. This course is designed to help the students understand and better prepare for their future as an optometrist from a billing and coding perspective.

Diagnosing and Prescribing

Techniques of investigating special types of vision anomalies; diagnosing and prescribing for vision anomalies; coding and billing. Emphasis on case analysis.

Introduction to Primary Care Practice*

Introduction to clinical experience in examining the visual system and carrying out corrective procedures.

Posterior Segment Ocular Disease

Abnormalities of the posterior segment with emphasis on vitreoretinal disease, vascular disease, and macular disease.

Visual Neurophysiology and Perception

Spatial, temporal and chromatic aspects of visual sensation by retina, lateral geniculate, cortex and other brain centers; psychophysics of visual perception; disorders affecting visual pathway.

Ophthalmic Dispensing*

Clinical experience in ophthalmic design and dispensing; education and experience in dispensary management.

Contact Lenses

Optics, design, materials, and measurement of contact lenses, theory, fitting and prescribing of sphericals and torics, post-fitting care, contact lens solutions.

Contact Lens Lab

Measurement, verification, and fitting of rigid gas permeable and soft spherical contact lens designs.

Eye Movements and Binocular Vision

Characteristics of and clinical evaluation of monocular and binocular eye movements.

Management of Glaucoma

Glaucoma diagnosis and management including epidemiology, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, risk assessment, testing strategy and interpretation, medical and surgical management.

Ocular Neurology

Neurology and neuro-pathology of the visual system and basics of visual field testing and interpretation.

Vision of Children

Examination of pediatric patients, including special examination procedures, development of refractive error, prescribing, ocular health, and child abuse.

Intermediate Clinical Diagnostic Reasoning in Optometry

A week long Keystone course at the end of summer. Using a problem-based learning format, optometric cases will be utilized to further develop clinical diagnostic and management skills requiring basic and clinical science integration.

Advanced Contact Lenses

Theory, fitting, and prescribing of specialty contact lens designs including but not limited to torics, multifocals, corneal reshaping and fitting the diseased or irregular cornea.

Advanced Contact Lens Lab

Fitting of specialty contact lens designs, such as toric, multifocal, corneal reshaping, and scleral designs.

Clinical Binocular Vision

Classification, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of nonstrabismic and strabismic binocular vision disorders, accommodative anomalies, amblyopia, oculomotor deficiencies, and visual perceptual lags.

Optometric Business Management I**

This course covers the business aspects of the profession of optometry including practice metrics, human resources, optical management, organizational structure, marketing, business relationships, business plans, financial accounting, entrepreneurship, your professional team, and more.

Systemic Disease for Optometry

Systemic and ocular manifestations of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hematology, inflammatory disorders, thyroid disorders, neurological disorders, immunology, infectious disorders, macular degeneration management, laboratory blood work.

Injections, Lasers and Advanced Ocular Techniques

Practical experience in injections, ophthalmic lasers and advanced ocular techniques.

Low Vision Rehabilitation and Gerontology

Assessment and management of mild to moderate visual impairment, especially related to reading and driving, with special emphasis on the needs of older adults.

Surgery and Co-management of Ocular Disease

Advanced management, pre and post operative management and surgical procedures for ocular disease.

Optometric Business Management II

This course dives deeper into the business aspects of the profession of optometry. This knowledge is critical to the successful practice of optometry, regardless of career path. This course is designed to help the students understand and better prepare for their future as an optometrist from a business and financial perspective.

Advanced Ophthalmic Dispensing (One semester)

Advanced clinical experience in ophthalmic design, dispensing and dispensary management.

Community Outreach (One semester)

Clinical experience in specialized phases of optometric practice: community outreach.

Introduction to Contact Lenses (5 weeks Autumn or Spring)

Clinical experience in specialized phases of optometric practice: contact lenses.

Ocular Disease Practice (One Semester)

Clinical experience in specialized phases of optometric practice: diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease.

Primary Care Practice (All three semesters)

Clinical experience in examining the visual system and carrying out corrective procedures.

Vision Screening (Autumn and Spring semesters)

Clinical experience in specialized phases of optometric practice: binocular vision and pediatrics.

Vision Therapy (One semester)

Clinical experience in specialized phases of optometric practice: orthoptics and vision therapy.

Binocular Vision and Pediatrics Service

Comprehensive care to infants, toddlers, children and patients of all ages with eye coordination difficulties. Special attention is paid to binocular and accommodative functioning as it relates to vision and learning. Exposure to patients with acquired brain injury and exceptional patients who may not respond to the traditional clinical examination.

Contact Lens Service

Primary eyecare for contact lens wearers and specialty lens fitting including exposure to keratoconus, post-surgical lens fitting, and other medically necessary contact lenses.

Low Vision Rehabilitation Service

Low vision consultation and training to patients with reduced visual function. Special emphasis is placed on providing individual care and training with visual aids such as magnifiers, telescopes, prisms, and electronic viewing devices.

Private Practice and Community Care

Clinical exposure to either primary care patients in a private optometric setting with emphasis on practice management or an ophthalmology subspecialty with emphasis on preoperative and postoperative surgical management.

Clinical care in Ohio State Optometry satellite Community Care clinics including Bioptic, Lower Lights Christian Health Center, Ohio State School for the Blind, and Pickerington.

Veteran’s Administration Medical Center Optometry Clinics

Comprehensive eye health and vision care delivery to patient populations with ocular disease and ocular manifestations of systemic disease.

Ophthalmological practices and surgical co-management centers OR - Clinical exposure to an ophthalmology subspecialty with emphasis on preoperative and postoperative surgical management.

Optometric offices with distinctive practice structures, unique settings, or noteworthy clinic services - Clinical exposure to primary care patients in a private optometric setting with broad exposure to multiple subspecialties of care including contact lenses, pediatrics, binocular vision, vision therapy, or low vision.