Summary

Year of study Credits Lecture hours Lab / Demo hours Screening hours Clinic hours
First Year 43(45) 510 255(315) 30 0
Second Year 41.1 435 270 30 150
Third Year 39.16 360-390 120-180 0 390
Fourth Year 25 0 0 0 1600
Program Totals 150.26 1305 645-765 60 2140
Total Program Hours 4150-4270

Sequential

Team Opto Course Credits
1st Year: Fall SBS1 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 1 4
APP1 Applied Pharmacology 1 3
APO1 Applied Optics 1 4
PCO1 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry I 2
CCO1 Cultural Competency in Optometry I 2
CCL1 Cultural Competency Language Lab I (Optional) (1)
HDA0 Human Development and Aging 2
OAP1 Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology I 2.5
1st Year: Spring SBS2 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 2 4
APO2 Applied Optics 2 4
PCO2 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 2 2
VS01 Vision Screenings 0.5
CCO2 Cultural Competency in Optometry 2 2
CCL2 Cultural Competency Language Lab 2 (Optional) (1)
OAP2 Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 2 3
APP2 Applied Pharmacology 2 3
OCD1 Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 1 1
1st Year: Summer LFC0 Perception of Light, Form and Color 4
Team Opto Course Credits
2nd Year: Fall SBS3 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 3 4
APO3 Applied Optics 3 4
PCO3 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 3 5
VSC1 Vision Screenings and Clerkship 1
MBV0 Ocular Motility and Binocular Vision 4
ODS1 Ocular Disease 1 4
OCD2 Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 2 0.5
2nd Year: Spring PCO4 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 4 5
CLK1 Clinical Clerkship 1
CSA0 Comprehensive Clinic Skills Assessment 0.1
PCL0 Primary Care Contact Lenses 3
ODS2 Ocular Diseases 2 4
DVT1 Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 1 3
EPH0 Epidemiology and Public Health 2
OCD3 Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 3 0.5
Team Opto Course Credits
3rd Year: Summer PC01 Patient Care 1 0.66
OVR0 Vision Research 2
3rd Year: Fall ODS3 Ocular Diseases 3 4
DVT2 Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 2 3
PLV0 Primary Care Low Vision 3
GRO0 Geriatric Optometry 1.5
PDO0 Pediatric Optometry 1.5
EBO0 Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-Based Optometry 1
POE0 Profession of Optometry and Ethics 1
PCO2 Patient Care 2 4
PBM0 Publishable Manuscript Submission 0.5
3rd Year: Spring ACL0 Advanced Contact Lenses 2
AVT0 Advanced Vision Therapy 2
ALV0 Advanced Low Vision 2
NOR0 Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation 2
AOD0 Advanced Ocular Diseases 2
AEP0 Advanced Electrophysiology 2
SSV0 Sports Vision 2
PMT0 Practice Management 2
RVS0 Review Seminar 1
PCO3 Patient Care 3 4
Team Opto Course Credits
4th Year Clinic Program PC40 Patient Care, Bayamón Clinic 2.5
PC41 In- House Satelite Clinics, Rio Piedras Clinic 2.5
PC42 In- House Satelite Clinics, Caguas Clinic 2.5
PC43 In- House Satelite Clinics, Santurce Clinic 2.5
PC44 In- House Satelite Clinics, Hato Rey Clinic 2.5
PC45 In- House Satelite Clinics, Juana Diaz Clinic 2.5
LE01 Local Externships Sites, Site 1 2.5
LE02 Local Externships Sites, Site 2 2.5
LE03 Local Externships Sites, Site 3 5
LE04 Local Externships Sites, Site 4 5
EA01 Externships Sites Abroad, Externship Site 1 2.5
EA02 Externships Sites Abroad, Externship Site 2 2.5
EA03 Externships Sites Abroad, Externship Site 3 5
EA04 Externships Sites Abroad, Externship Site 4 5
Total 150.25

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 the 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

The Primary Eyecare Residency Program emphasizes:

  • Advanced post-doctorate training to develop proficiency in primary eye care optometry
  • Enhanced experiences within multi-disciplinary clinical settings
  • Training in pre-and post-ophthalmic operative care

This one-year residency program will also provide the resident with experience in teaching and research. The Resident will receive a $25,000 stipend. The Primary Eyecare Residency is sponsored by the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry.

Apply Now!

  1. Complete application before December 31 of the previous year through the ORMatch. (https://natmatch.com/ormatch/)
  2. Eligibility Criteria:
    • Applicants must have attained the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from a school or college accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE)
    • NBEO Part I, II and III completed
    • Eligible to be licensed as an optometrist in the United States
    • Three recommendation letters: 1 Director and 2 Full-time professors.
    • Essay of interest in the program
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Be available for interview
    • Basic conversational Spanish language skills