Science education for optometry must go beyond therapeutic patient management to more preparation for biologically based care. Optometry faculty should be involved in research driven by specific patient problems and should prepare professionals to address patient quality-of-life and daily living needs. Interdisciplinary collaboration is needed.…

A survey of 4,692 health care providers received 1,763 responses that assessed whether future continuing education programs could be designed in an interdisciplinary fashion and still meet the perceived needs of 5 health care professions. It found that program content, date, time, and location are the most important factors influencing attendance.…

Aspects of laboratory preparation necessary for undergraduate or graduate optometric training in the use of therapeutic drugs are discussed, including glaucoma therapy, anterior segment techniques, posterior segment, and systemic procedures. (MSE)

Economic demand analysis is used to examine optometric personnel supply and demand and the potential for a glut or undersupply of eye care services in the near future. (MSE)

A survey of the professional and graduate level degrees of the deans in each discipline at major health care education institutions found some patterns. Most administrators have only a single professional or combined professional/master's degree. Optometry has the most combined professional/doctoral degrees. (MSE)

Results of a study of the characteristics of 10 Veterans Administration optometric residency programs are presented and compared with results of an earlier survey. Factors analyzed include resident characteristics, specializations, program design, residents' salaries and health insurance, and post-residency employment options. (MSE)

A model for a geriatric optometry curriculum that defines key content areas and addresses the values essential for effective practice and basic therapeutic modalities used in treatment regimens with older adults is outlined. (MSE)

In 1972 the New England College of Optometry instituted a new curriculum that provided accelerated optometric education leading to an O.D. degree for qualified candidates with a Ph.D. degree in the sciences. That experience is summarized. (MLW)

Some cautions regarding the early educational uses of optical aids with visually impaired children are suggested, based on widely held assumptions and recent findings in the fields of perception and reading. The change from the sight conservation era to one advocating the maximum use of remaining vision is traced. (Author/SW)

A computer-assisted curriculum evaluation effort at Pacific University assessed the extent to which the existing curriculum addressed the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry's (ASCO) recommendations, possible duplication of effort, and areas taught but not included in the ASCO models. (MSE)

Studies from various institutions report faculty spend from 25 to 41 hours per week in teaching activities. The variability in total hourly work week reported tends to be a function of time spent in research endeavors rather than assigned teaching load. (MLW)

A survey undertaken by the American Optometric Association reveals research projects, investigators, and in some cases, funding sources for research in the areas of low vision, ophthalmic lenses, pharmacology, anatomy and pathology, and sensory and motor functions. A total of 205 projects are charted. (MSE)

Optometry, as a primary eye/vision care provider, serves as a valuable resource in providing detection, education, referral, and follow-up services for patients with high blood pressure. A 1977 survey of 500 optometrists and a 1980 survey of schools and colleges of optometry are discussed. (MLW)

An inexpensive computer graphics systems (Commodore PET), used as a video aid for teaching students advanced case analysis, is described. The course provides students with the analytical tools for evaluating with graphical and statistical techniques and treating with lenses, prisms, and orthoptics various anomalies of binocular vision. (MLW)

A statement of the priorities and purposes of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry to provide a basis for decision making in allocating its funds and resources is provided. Priorities inclue lobbying, maximizing external visibility, identification of funding sources, profession planning, central repository, and internal information…