SOS PRESENTS: OPTOMETRY SCHOOL SEMINAR

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SOS PRESENTSOPTOMETRY SCHOOL SEMINAR

• By John Anjali

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AGENDA

• About Optometry
• Available Schools
• Application Process
• After Graduation

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ABOUT OPTOMETRY

• A Doctor of Optometry
• provincially licensed, independent, primary
  health care provider
• specializes in the examination, diagnosis,
  treatment, management and prevention of diseases
  and disorders of the human visual system, the
  eye, and the associated structures
• Optometrists diagnose and manage diseases ie.
  Hypertension and Diabetes
• Provide pre- and post-surgical care for various
  conditions and procedures

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What they do...

• Prescribe glasses and contact lenses
• Rehabilitate the visually impaired
• Diagnose and treat ocular diseases
• Perform comprehensive examinations of both the
  internal and external structures of the eye
• Evaluate patients vision and determine
  appropriate treatments
• Treat clarity problems or eye diseases such as
  glaucoma and ulcers
• Diagnose complications due to the aging process,
  accidents, or malfunction

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Where Can I Study Optometry?

• In Ontario ? University of Waterloo School of
  Optometry
• In Quebec ? Université de Montreal
• In the US ? 18 Schools in the USA

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List of schools in the US

• University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Midwestern University- Arizona College of
  Optometry
• University of California, Berkeley
• Southern California College of Optometry
• Nova Southeastern University
• Illinois College of Optometry
• Indiana University
• New England College of Optometry
• Michigan College of Optometry
• University of Missouri St. Louis
• State University of New York
• Ohio State University
• Northeastern State University
• Pacific University
• Pennsylvania College of Optometry
• Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, School
  of Optometry
• Southern College of Optometry
• University of Houston
• University of the Incarnate Word

We will only be focusing on the University of
Waterloo School of Optometry in this seminar
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About the Program

• in the Doctor of Optometry program
• this is a four year program
• arrange for a place to stay in Waterloo
• purchase equipment books
• study
• maintain Optometry course averages
• practice in the clinics
• graduate

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Applying to an Optometry School

• Enter a university science program
• Enrol in the Optometry prerequisite courses
• Minimum of 3 years of undergraduate education
  required
• GPA of 3.8 or higher is recommended
• Reference letters (3 required for Waterloo,
  varies with other schools)
• Get experience in an optometry field (volunteer
  at an optometry clinic, shadow an optometrist)
• Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)
• Get immunized

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Applying to an Optometry School

• Apply online on school-by-school basis. Usually
  an Application for Admission to the School of
  Optometry form will be emailed to you from each
  school
• Each school may have its own requirements, common
  ones are
• Referral letters
• Autobiographical sketch
• Official university transcripts OAT scores to be
  sent to each Optometry school by May deadline
  (arranged by you)
• Interview

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Prerequisites for University of Waterloo School
of Optometry

• English 1 semester
• Introductory Ethics 1 semester
• Introductory Psychology 1 semester
• Biology with a lab component 2 semesters
• Microbiology 1 semester
• Human or Animal Physiology 2 semesters
• General Chemistry with lab component 1 semester
• Biochemistry 1 semester
• Organic Chemistry 1 semester
• Calculus 1 semester
• Statistics 1 semester
• Physics with a lab component 2 semesters

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Post Graduation

• after graduation
• write and pass the professional board
  jurisprudence exams for the geographic regions
  you wish to practice
• find a place to practice, be a resident, or enter
  grad studies
• enjoy your career

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Any Questions???
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Thanks For Coming!!
For more information, Check out this
website http//www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/
Or come visit us at BC 208 (ie. The SOS office)