There has been renewed interest in regional cooperation since the economic downturn began in late 2007. In 2012, 14 of 15 Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) states are facing dramatic cuts in their budgets, and economists are cautious about predicting exactly when the economy might begin to improve. Fortunately, the…

Regional cooperation is crucial in times of economic downturn. In 2011, 14 out of 15 of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) states are facing dramatic cuts in their budgets and the trend is expected to continue. Despite hard times, students and their families in the West continue to benefit from hundreds of millions of…

The organization, history, and goals of the Association of Optometric Educators are highlighted. (JMF)

Describes the external optometric education program at the Sidney Hillman Health Centre (Chicago, Illinois). Discusses the history of the clinic, its administrative and educational philosophy, and its affiliation with two prominent hospitals and the Illinois College of Optometry. (DB)

The simulation of the running of an optometric office through the use of computers is described. The addition of class speakers, visits to optometric practices, and instruction in elementary aspects of the use of computers in office settings has been well received by the students. (MLW)

A simulation of the decreased visual acuity of individuals with amblyopia is used in one optometry program to help students understand how amblyopia patients see. Students act as patient, then as doctor, proceeding through clinical diagnosis. (MSE)

The New England College of Optometry's two separate but integrated clinical postgraduate programs, one providing Veterans' Administration residencies and the other, college-based fellowships, are described. The shared curriculum components, exchange process, and evaluation system are highlighted. (MSE)

Describes a program at the State University of New York College of Optometry targeted at training younger clinical faculty who wish to become involved in continuing professional education. Covers the program's purpose and the institution's experiences with implementation. (DB)

The University of Montreal is the only French-speaking optometry school following the North American model. Its history, clinical activities, research, and students are described. (Author/MLW)

Two optometry schools, established at the University of the North and the University of Durban-Westville in South Africa which were authorized by separate government departments for Black and Indian ethnic categories, are described. No attempt is made to evaluate the relative quality of the two programs. (MLW)

The full-cost tuition plan in effect at Southern College of Optometry is discussed including education cost per student and contributions from federal, state, and regional sources. (JMF)

Synopses of the state of optometry and optometric education in nine foreign countries (Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, and Sweden) look at training programs, licensing, facilities, and alternatives in optometric services. (MSE)

A clinical program developed for Veterans Administration optometry residents and rotating Southern California College of Optometry interns consisted of clinical patient examination followed by case discussion, a formal lecture corresponding to the ocular and systemic diseases presented in the examination, and student testing. (MSE)

An optometric residency program at The Eye Institute of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry that focuses on clinical training in the areas of low vision rehabilitation, pediatric optometry, visual training, behavioral vision, primary care optometry and hospital based optometry is discussed. (MSW)

A written clinical simulation exercise known as patient management problems (PMP) developed by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry is discussed. The new PMP format is considered standardized in the sense that the "visible" portion of the problem will be identical. (MLW)