Summary (2021-2022, 2022-2023 Catalog)

Year of Study Credits Lecture Hours Laboratory Hours Conference Laboratory Screening Hours Clinic Hours
First Year 44.5 450 255 82.5 0 40
Second Year 41.10 (43.10) 465 228 (228) 22.5 60 20
Third Year 38.66 277.5 60 142.5 0 390
Fourth Year 26 15 0 0 0 1600
Program Totals 150.26 (152.26) 1,207.5 543 (603) 247.5 60 2,050
Total Program Hours 4,108-4,168

Sequential (2021-2022, 2022-2023 Catalog)

Term Opto Course Credits
1st Year: Fall BMS1 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 1 4
OPT1 Applied Optics 1 4
IOA1 Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 1 2.5
GCP0 General Concepts in Pharmacology 1
PPO1 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 1 1
PPL1 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 1 Laboratory 1
EPH0 Epidemiology and Public Health 2
POE0 Profession of Optometry and Ethics (1)
DCC1 Human Development and Cultural Competency in Optometry 1 2
CSC1 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 1 (1)
1st Year: Spring BMS2 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 2 4
OPT2 Applied Optics 2 4
IOA2 Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 2 3
APH1 Applied Pharmacology 1 3
PPO2 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 2 1
CCL2 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 2 Laboratory 1
DCC2 Human Development and Cultural Competency in Optometry 2 2
CSC2 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 2 (1)
CLK0 Clinical Clerkships .50
1st Year: Summer (June) PFCO Perception of Light, Form and Color 3.5
OMO0 Ocular Motility 2
Term Opto Course Credits
2nd Year: Fall BMS3 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 3 4
OPT3 Applied Optics 3 4
BVP0 Binocular Vision and Perception 3
DIS1 Ocular Diseases 1 3
APH2 Applied Pharmacology 2 3
PPO3 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 3 2
PPL3 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 3 Laboratory 1.50
ICD1 Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 1 0.50
CSC3 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 3 (Elective) (1)
SCR0 Vision Screening 0.50
2nd Year: Spring CMO0 Clinical Medicine Optometry 1.50
OPT4 Applied Optics 4 1.50
PCL0 Primary Care Contact Lenses 3
DVT1 Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 1 3
DIS2 Ocular Diseases 2 3
GDT0 Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment 2
PP04 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 4 3
PPL4 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 4 Laboratory 1.50
ICD2 Integrative Optometric Case Discussion 2 .50
CSC4 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 4 (Elective) (1)
SCK0 Vision Screening and Clerkship 0.50
CSA0 Comprehensive Clinic Skills Assessment 0.10
Term Opto Course Credits
3rd Year: Summer (July) VIR0 Optometric Research 2
 
  PCO1 Patient Care 1 0.66
 
3rd Year: Fall CLA0 Advance Contact Lenses 1.50
 
  DVT2 Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 2 3
 
DIS3 Ocular Diseases 3 2
 
PLV0 Primary Care Low Vision 3
 
NOP0 Nutrition in Optometry 1
 
ICD3 Integrative Optometric Case Discussion 3 1
 
DOP0 Diversity in Optometry 2
 
PCO2 Patient Care 2 4
 
3rd Year: Spring AVT0 Advanced Vision Therapy (Elective) 1.50
 
  ALV0 Advanced Low Vision (Elective) 1.50
 
NOR0 Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation (Elective) 1.50
 
AEP0 Advanced Electrophysiology (Elective) 1.50
 
SSV0 Sports Vision (Elective) 1.50
 
PMN0 Publishable Manuscript Submission (Elective) 1.50
 
COD0 Complex Case Discussion (Elective) 1.50
 
ODM0 Ocular Disorders Management 2
 
ILS0 Injections, Lasers and Ocular Surgical Care 2
 
EBO0 Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-Based Optometry 1
 
RSM0 Review Seminar 0.50
 
PRM0 Practice Management 1.50
 
PCO3 Patient Care 3 4
 
Term Opto Course Credits
4th Year Clinic Program OGR1 Optometric Clinic Grand Rounds 1 – First Semester 0.50
OGR2 Optometric Clinic Grand Rounds 2 – Second Semester 0.50
PC40 Primary Eye Care Services and Specialty Clinics 2.5
PC41 COSSMA Cidra Clinic 2.5
PC42 Caguas Clinic 2.5
PC43 Santurce Clinic 2.5
PC44 Hato Rey Clinic 2.5
PC45 Juana Diaz Clinic 2.5
PC46 Bayamón Mobile Unit 2.5
PC47 San Juan Mobile Unit 2.5
PC48 Extended Bayamón Clinic: 8 Weeks 5
PC49 Extended Bayamón Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC50 Extended COSSMA Cidra Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC51 Extended Caguas Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC52 Extended Santurce Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC53 Extended Hato Rey Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC54 Extended Juana Diaz Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
LE01 Local Externship Site 1 2.5
LE02 Local Externship Site 2 2.5
LE03 Local Externship Site 3 5
LE04 Local Externship Site 4 5
EA01 Abroad Externship Site 1 2.5
EA02 Abroad Externship Site 2 2.5
EA03 Abroad Externship Site 3 5
EA04 Abroad Externship Site 4 5
Program Total Credits 150.26

Integrative teaching is emphasized in both the Academic Department (didactic teaching) and Patient Care Department (clinical instruction) in the new curriculum. The concept is to provide students with a clinical perspective in basic science concepts, thereby developing conceptually based clinical reasoning skills applicable to entry-level practice.

The Academic Department is no longer differentiated into a Basic Science Department and a Clinical Science Department. Hence, courses under this curricular structure are not to be defined as purely basic science courses or clinical science courses. They are assembled and taught in one of the following three manners:

• as conceptually-inclined courses with clinical relevance
• as clinically-inclined courses with conceptual significance
• as a parallel–corresponding courses with equivalent conceptual and clinical relevance

Common denominators among courses in these categories are intended to facilitate the students’ ability to develop clinical reasoning with a conceptual background. Based on this model, emphasis on concept and application varies depending on the course modality.

Presentation of material will be cohesive and synchronized by either integrating or correlating basic and clinical concepts. Conceptually inclined courses and clinically inclined courses require an integrative presentation, whereas parallel-corresponding courses are presented correlatively. Integrative
presentations of conceptually inclined courses involve discussion of clinical associations that are pertinent to the predominant basic science topic taught. In the same manner, clinically inclined courses are taught providing basic science concepts related to the clinical topic
discussed to provide background comprehension.

Parallel-corresponding courses consist of proportioned presentations of health concepts related to primary ocular diseases and ocular diseases secondary to systemic conditions, with their respective clinical applications utilizing a complementary approach. Elective courses also form part of the new curriculum. The purpose of these courses is for optometric student to further enhance their knowledge in specific areas within optometry
in order to encourage the students to apply for optometric residency programs. All these electives are to be offered in the spring term of the third year and all will be evaluated on a pass/no pass basis. The optometric third-year student must enroll in five elective courses.

Conceptually-Inclined Course with Clinical Relevance Opto SBS1-3: Systemic Biomedical Science 1-3
Opto APP1-2: Applied Pharmacology 1-2
Opto APO1-3: Applied Optics 1-3
CCO1-2: Cultural Competency in Optometry 1-2
CCL1-2: Cultural Competency Language Lab. 1-2
Opto HDA0: Human Development and Aging
Opto OAP1-2: Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 1-2
Opto LFC0: Perception of Light, Form, and Color
Opto MBV0: Ocular Motility and Binocular Vision
Opto EPH0: Epidemiology and Public Health
Opto RVS0: Review Seminar
Clinically-Inclined Courses with Conceptual Significance Opto PCO1-4: Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 1-4
Opto OCD1-3: Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 1-3
Opto PCL0: Primary Care Contact Lenses
Opto DVT1-2: Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 1-2
Opto OVR0: Vision Research
Opto PLV0: Primary Care Low Vision
Opto GRO0: Geriatric Optometry
Opto PDO0: Pediatric Optometry
Opto EBO0: Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-Based Optometry
Opto POE0: Profession of Optometry and Ethics
Opto PMT0: Practice Management
Efective Courses Opto AVT0: Advanced Vision Therapy
Opto ALV0: Advanced Low Vision
Opto NOR0: Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation
Opto AEP0: Advanced Electrophysiology
Opto SSV0: Sports Vision
Opto ACL0: Advanced Contact Lenses
Opto AOD0: Advance Ocular Diseases
Parallel-Corresponding Courses with Equivalent Conceptual and Clinical Relevance Opto ODS1-3: Ocular Diseases 1-3
Opto AOD0: Advanced Ocular Diseases (elective course)

The Patient Care Department also has changed in the new curricular structure. Students will enroll in Vision Screenings commencing the spring term of the first year. In addition, clinical clerkships have been added to the second year program. Clinical clerkships consist of student observations in third and fourth-year interns clinical rotations to observe intern/patient, doctor/patient, and intern/doctor interactions. As students become more proficient in primary eye care procedure, they will be allowed to have limited participation in the examination.

The fourth-year clinical program consists of a total of 25 credits, to be completed before the graduation date. It will be required of all fourth-year clinic interns to provide primary eye care at the School main clinic and the in-house satellite clinics, as well as providing care in the School’s secondary care clinics. In addition, they must complete part of their clinical education at IAUSO approved external clinic sites. These sites encompass all types of clinic practice scenarios; hospitals, private single and group optometric offices, ophthalmology offices, and optometric practices that provide secondary, specialized optometric service such as vision therapy, low vision, and specialty contact lenses.

In order for any student to be able to register in the third year clinic program, all first and second year coursework must be successfully completed before registration. In order for any student to be able to register in the fourth year clinic program all first, second and third year coursework, including all clinics, must be successfully completed before registration.

1st year Opto VS01: Vision Screenings
Opto OCD1: Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 1
2nd year Opto VSC1: Vision Screening and Clerkships
Opto OCD2: Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 2
Opto PCL0: Primary Care Contact Lenses
Opto CLK1: Clinical Clerkships
Opto OCD3: Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 3
3rd year Opto PC01-PC03: Patient Care 1-3
4th year Opto PC40: Bayamon Main Clinic
Opto PC41-45: In-House Satellite Clinics (5)
Opto LE01-04: Local Externship Sites
Opto EA01-04: Externship Sites Abroad

Primary Eye Care Residency – IAUPR

Mission

The program expects to provide post-graduate training so that the resident can develop proficiency in areas of primary care optometry, gain experience with multidisciplinary settings, and obtain training in pre-and-post -ophthalmic operative care. The program also will provide the resident with experience in teaching and scholarly activities, so that he or she may further pursue a career in education and research.

Program Goals

  • Provide post-graduate training, which develops the proficiency necessary to become a full-scope primary care practitioner
  • Develop quality clinical educators and clinical researcher

 

Program Description

  • One-year residency program (beginning by the third week of August)
  • A yearly stipend of $40,000 with benefits
  • Health Insurance benefits from IAUPR
  • Professional Liability Protection from IAUPR
  • Vacations as stipulated by the Academic Calendar of the IAUPRSO
  • Sick leave: According to the Faculty Manual, page 38, section 4.6.1.1 Full time faculty accumulates sick days of 1-1/2 days per month, that is 18 days per year. Sick absences of greater than two days requires a note from a physician.
  • No tuition or fees
  • Position: One
  • Workload: 80% (32 hours per week) in Clinical, 20% (8 hours per week) in Didactical
  • Accreditation status: Accredited by ACOE
  • Bilingual School’s Setting with Spanish’s speaking patients

 

Residency Experience

  • Scholarly and teaching experience
  • Clinical experience Worksites:
    • IAUPR’s Clinic Sites (Own transportation strongly recommended)
    • External Rotations at ophthalmology sites
    • Specialty areas rotation in Contact lenses, Pediatrics, Visual Training, Low Vision, Electro-diagnostics, Prothesis
  • Library and research resources
  • Administration time

 

Certificate requirements include:

  • Optometry License in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Puerto Rico Optometry license obtained by January of the residency year.
  • Completion of Part I, II, III, and TMOD of National Boards Examination in Optometry (NBEO)
  • Successful Clinical & Didactic completion evaluations
  • Publishable quality paper

 

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Applicant must have successfully completed parts I, II, III, and TMOD of National Boards of Examiners in Optometry as a requisite for admission to the residency program.
  2. Candidates must be eligible to be licensed as an optometrist in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
  3. Recommendation letters: Three (3) are requested. One should be from the clinical director of graduating institution or chief academic officer. Two others from full-time faculty members have been involved with the applicant’s education.
  4. A brief essay stating reasons for applying to a program that is addressed to primary eye care is requested.
  5. Applicant should submit Curriculum Vitae and be available for interview.
  6. Knowledge of basic conversational Spanish language is required to communicate with the majority of the patient population although the English language is the official written language.
  7. Candidates must earn the degree of Doctor of Optometry from a school or college of optometry accredited by the Council on Optometric Education prior to the starting date of the residency program.
  8. IAUPR affirms that all candidates are evaluated without regard to sex, race, color, creed, origin, or disabilities.

 

Application Process

  1. Candidates must complete the application through the ORMatch. Deadline: February 1.
    For more INFO, refer to the ORMatch Webpage.
  2. All serious applicants are encouraged to arrange a site visit.

Contact information

For additional information contact

Coordinator name: Ariette Acevedo
Telephone: 787-765-1915
Fax: 787-756-7351Email:aacevedo@opto.inter.edu