Transcript Optometry 101 - University of Mississippi

Ryan S. Wally, OD
Oxford Eye Clinic/Vision Source!
2167 South Lamar Blvd.
Oxford, MS 38655
[email protected]
How I got here
 University of Alabama at Birmingham, Doctor of
Optometry 2008
 University of Mississippi, Bachelor of Arts, Magna
Cum Laude 2004
What the public thinks we do….
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8GMFkc3iSA
What we really do……
 Optometry defined:
“Doctors of Optometry (ODs) are the independent primary
health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists
examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases injuries,
and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated
structures as well as identify related systemic conditions
affecting the eye.”
-American Optometric Association
What we really do……
 Outlook for the profession:
According to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Statstics,
job opportunities should be very good over the next decade.
Why?
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Favorable work conditions
Regular hours
Minimum emergency calls
Types of Optometric Practice:
 Individual/Group Private Practice
 Retail/Optical Settings
 Optometric/Ophthalmologic Professional Settings
 Military/Public Health
 Academic/Research
Optometry Areas of Emphasis
 Family Practice Optometry
 Primary Eye Care
 Cornea Contact Lenses
 Geriatric Optometry
 Pediatric Optometry/Vision Therapy
 Low Vision Rehabilitation
 Ocular Disease
 Refractive and Ocular Surgery (LASIK/LASEK)
Pictures of a typical day
Pictures of a typical day
Herpetic Keratitis:
Pictures of a typical day
Diabetic Retinopathy:
Pictures of a typical day
Diabetic Retinopathy:
Pictures of a typical day
Macular Degeneration:
Pictures of a typical day
Macular Degeneration:
Pictures of a typical day
Hypertensive Retinopathy:
Where do I start?
 Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)
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https://www.ada.org/oat/
Download OAT Guide
Test Fee: $270
Computerized examination
Administered at Prometric Testing Centers
• Nearest in Tupelo, MS
Where do I start?
 Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)
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Scope of examination:
• The OAT is a standardized examination designed to measure
general academic ability and comprehension of scientific
information.
• Four Subtests:
• Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, Organic
Chemistry)
• Reading Comprehension
• Physics
• Quantitative Reasoning
Where do I start?
 Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)
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Scored on a scale of 200-400
Average Score is between 300 and 310.
Testing is available year-round, and examinees are allowed to
take the computerized OAT an unlimited number of times.
However, you must wait at least 90 days between testing
dates.
Where do I start?
 OptomCAS-Optometry Centralized Application
www.optomcas.org
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Allows optometry applicants to use a single web-based
application and one set of materials to apply to multiple
schools and colleges of optometry.
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Applicants will pay a fee of $150 to enter the system and apply
to one school or college of optometry. An additional $50 fee
will be charged for each additional school or college to which
the student wishes to apply.
OptomCAS
 University of Alabama at Birmingham(UABSO)
• Birmingham, AL
• $75 Supplemental fee
• Deadline to submit OptomCAS and supplemental
applications is March 1, 2014.
Source: www.optomcas.org
OptomCAS
 University of Houston College of Optometry
• Houston, TX
• $50 Supplemental fee
• Deadline to submit OptomCAS is February 17, 2014 and
supplemental applications is March 17, 2014.
Source: www.optomcas.org
OptomCAS
 Southern College of Optometry
• Memphis, TN
• $50 Supplemental fee
• Deadline to submit OptomCAS and supplemental
applications is March 1, 2014.
Source: www.optomcas.org
Admissions Profile
SREB Contracts
 Southern Regional Education Board
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Allows out-of-state students to pay in-state tuition
Some states require a service commitment (Mississippi)
SREB Contracts
 University of Alabama at Birmingham (UABSO)
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Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) contract positions
presently are available to students from the following states:
Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, and West
Virginia. Applicants must be certified as residents of the states
from which they apply. Students accepted for the SREB
contract program pay in-state tuition.
Number of positions vary by state.
SREB Contracts
 University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO)
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Non-Resident Competitive Tuition Waiver (Awarded by
UHCO Scholarship Committee)
Non-Resident Service Contract Tuition Waiver (MS, NE
Residents only)
SREB Contracts
 Southern College of Optometry (SCO)
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Offered to residents of Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, West
Virginia
Must be legal-resident of state
Number of positions vary by state.
Important links
 Association of Colleges and Schools of Optometry: www.opted.org
 OptomCAS: www.optomcas.org
 OAT: https://www.ada.org/oat/
 UABSO: www.opt.uab.edu
 UHCO: www.opt.uh.edu
 SCO: www.sco.edu
Ryan S. Wally, OD
Phone: 662-234-6683
[email protected]