This study of the effects of lenses of different colors on the visual abilities and comfort of 20 patients with retinal disease found that, in home trials, the critical issue was density more than color. Office tests of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity with colored lenses did not predict subjective benefit. (Author/JDD)

A survey of second and third year students (n=1,092) at 16 optometric schools found 5.5 percent admitted to cheating in optometry school (and 13.9 percent admitted cheating in college), a finding similar to that found for medical students, whose self-reported cheating ranged from 4.7 percent to 10 percent. (Author/DB)

A survey of 14 optometric schools and colleges found frequent and regular use of student ratings of instructors with a variety of methods used to ensure validity. Urges a multifaceted approach to teaching assessment to include input from those who deliver the instruction (teacher self-evaluation) and from objective colleagues (peer evaluation).…

This report by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry identifies desired attributes of students graduating from schools and colleges of optometry. Introductory information includes information on the report's development and assumptions. Personal and professional attributes are then listed followed by a list of 10 knowledge-area…

Examines how the curricula of optometry programs can be modified to prepare graduates to meet the needs of patients from special populations. Addresses student attitudes and the clinical encounter, including the case history, clinical examination, clinical decision making and determination of patient management plans, and case discussion of the…

Attempts to dispel rumors concerning contact lenses and tries to supply prudent-use practices for allowing contact lenses in industry and laboratories. Discusses federal regulations that impact the use of contact lenses in industry, policy statements from medical organizations on use of contact lenses in industrial environments, and the…

METHODS, PROCEDURES, AND TECHNIQUES FOR TEACHING READING, ESPECIALLY TO LOW- AND NON-ACHIEVERS, WHICH DIFFER FROM TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM PRACTICES ARE DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED IN TERMS OF RECENT RESEARCH IN THE AREA OF READING. THESE METHODS ARE CLOSELY RELATED TO THE FIELD OF OPTOMETRY AND ARE CONCERNED WITH PROBLEMS OF LATERAL DOMINANCE.…

Considerations to be made in designing an optometry curriculum for treating patients with eye diseases are reviewed, including the scope of practice and specific areas of instruction in the biomedical, basic vision, and clinical vision sciences. (MSE)

The present optometric education and licensing model, which includes the state boards, National Board, schools and colleges, Council on Optometric Education, and an external review committee, as well as future practitioners, is examined. Criticism of the challenge examination method is discussed in this context. (MSE)

The optometry program at the Inter American University in Puerto Rico is profiled, with highlights of admission criteria, temporary and permanent facilities, faculty, governance structure, curriculum, research opportunities, and relationship with the university as a whole. (MSE)

Advances have been made in testing optometrists' clinical skills, particularly with the use of simulation techniques. Further research into these techniques will probably receive the most attention, although a shift in research emphasis from correlational studies of test validity and reliability to test development studies is needed. (MSE)

The role of optometry in the study of learning difficulties and the problems of interpreting research results in the fields of optometry and ophthalmology are discussed. Limitations of school visual screening are described, and it is suggested that many children with learning difficulties should be referred for a full clinical visual examination.…

An inexpensive, flexible, and practical method for providing students with immediate feedback, not only on tests but also on other forms of instructional materials, is described. Latent image materials needed include: a spirit master, a transfer sheet, a spirit duplicator, and a latent image developer. (MLW)

A survey, taken of 13 colleges of optometry in the United States to ascertain the size of continuing education programs, is described. Information includes: (1) number of courses offered, (2) number of classroom hours, (3) number of enrollments, (4) man hours, and (5) number of persons employed in continuing education. (MLW)

Optometry educators can be assisted in making complex concepts understandable to students by using rhetorical devices such as metaphors, similes, analogies, parables, and allegories. As an example, the difficulties in communicating everyday but complex clinical concepts regarding inflammatory disorders are discussed and use of rhetorical devices…