ORTHOPTIC PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE
Admission criteria vary from school to school, however; national regulations require completion of a baccalaureate degree prior to sitting for the national certifying exams.
Students entering orthoptic programs may be recent college graduates, transfers from an associated allied health field or changing from an unrelated career. Most students have a basic science background although there are no required course prerequisites. The Graduate Record Examination is not required.
Ophthalmic medical personnel, with current JCAHPO certification at the COT or COMT level, may also be eligible for advanced standing status in an Orthoptic Program. Applicants must meet the routine admission criteria of the training program and established requirements for AOC certification. Advanced standing is granted on a case-by-case basis by the American Orthoptic Council, based on the qualifications of the applicant. Advanced standing students must complete a minimum of 12 months of training in an accredited program, with the length of training to be determined by the Council.
PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES
Orthoptic Program of Children’s Hospital LA Division of Ophthalmology Mailstop #88 4650 Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90027 Paula Edelman, CO (323) 669-5697 Fax (323) 662-9080 |
GBMC Orthoptic Fellowship Program 6569 N. Charles St. PPW Suite 505 Baltimore, MD 21204 Cheryl McCarus, CO, COMT (443) 849-8097 Fax (443) 849-2648 |
University of Iowa Orthoptic Teaching Program Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences 200 Hawkins Drive Iowa City, IA 52242 Pamela Kutschke, CO (319) 356-3863 Fax (319) 384-9831 |
University of Michigan Orthoptic Program W.K. Kellogg Eye Center 1000 Wall Street Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Bruce A. Furr, CO (734) 764-7558 Fax (734) 763-7114 |
University of Minnesota Orthoptic Program 516 Delaware St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 Kimberly Ann Merrill, CO (612) 625-4107 Fax (612) 626-3119 |
Orthoptic Fellowship at Park Nicollet Clinic Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus 3900 Park Nicollet Boulevard Minneapolis, MN 55416 Lisa Rovick, CO, COMT (952) 993-3737 Fax (952) 993-0288 |
The Ross Eye Institute Orthoptic Program 3580 Sheridan Drive, Suite 140 Amherst , NY 14226 Kyle Arnoldi, CO, COMT (716) 834-1445 Fax (716) 834-0081 Website |
Orthoptic Teaching Program of Tulsa 6606 South Yale Suite 110 Tulsa, OK 74136 Amy G. McCarthy, CO, COT (918) 481-2781 Fax (918) 481-2785 |
Orthoptic Program – University of Wisconsin Department Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences 2880 University Ave. Room 212 Madison, WI 53705-9030 Jacqueline Shimko, CO, COT (608) 263-7189 Fax (608) 263-4247 |
Allied Health Program in Orthoptics NYEE Infirmary 310 E. 14th Street New York, NY 10003 Sara Shippman, CO, COMT (212) 979-4375 Fax (212) 979-4564 |
PROGRAMS IN CANADA
IWK Grace School of Orthoptics& Ophthal Med Tech 5850 University Ave. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3J 3G9 Karen McMain, OC(C), COMT (902) 470-8959 Fax (902) 470-7207 Website |
School of Orthoptics Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Avenue, Orthoptic Clinic, Room M109 Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 1X8 Jennifer Schofield , OC(C), COMT (416) 813-5798 (416) 813-6261 |
Orthoptic Clinic Eye Care Centre 701 Queen St. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, S7K 0M7 Ronna Hjertaas, OC(C), COT (306) 655-8058 |
Vancouver Orthoptic Program BC Children’s Hospital 4480 Oak St. Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6H 3V4 Christy GiligsonOC(C) (604) 875-2326 |
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The study of orthoptics follows a logical sequence of courses vital to the understanding of the visual system. Course work is integrated with hands-on clinical approach. The primary aim of the Orthoptic Program is to prepare students to become efficient members of the vision health care team. For two intensive years of instruction, orthoptic students interact with medical students, ophthalmology residents, fellows and medical professionals in a clinic setting.
Subjects Include:
Anatomy
A thorough investigation of the structures of the human visual system with concentration on the anatomy of the eye and surrounding structures. A basic knowledge of human anatomy is recommended.
Neuro-Anatomy
A basic introduction to the central and peripheral nervous systems and to the parts of the brain which are essential to vision and eye movements.
Physiology
An in-depth study of the coordination of eye movements and principles of visual perception. Pathological processes which may interfere with vision are introduced.
Pharmacology
The study of diagnostic and therapeutic drugs used in ophthalmology. The properties and reactions of specific agents is studied as well as the proper clinical indications for the prescription of specific ophthalmic drugs.
Diagnostic Testing & Measurement
An introduction to the clinical techniques necessary for an orthoptist to perform a diagnostic examination. The application and interpretation of specific testing procedures is covered in-depth throughout the course of study.
Systemic Diseases & Ocular Motor Disorders
Visual symptoms are often the presenting sign of a serious systemic illness. The pathogenesis, signs and symptoms of various disease processes are discussed. A systematic overview of the visual disorders encountered by the orthoptist is provided.
Principles of Surgery
Introduces the student to the essentials of pre and postoperative patient care. Provides an overview of the indications for surgery and the types of surgery performed by an ophthalmologist to correct eye alignment and eye movement disorders.
Basic Ophthalmic Exam Techniques
Orthoptic programs provide instruction in the principles of ophthalmic technical procedures such as refractometry, visual field testing, and contact lens fitting which are useful adjuncts to the specialized skills of an orthoptist. Some programs offer clinical proficiency in these technical skills while others focus primarily on theoretical concepts.
Ophthalmic Optics
Examines basic principles from the genesis and propagation of light to the laws of applied optics relative to ophthalmic lenses and prisms. A basic knowledge of algebra and physics is recommended.
Orthoptic Treatment
An introduction to the various forms of non-surgical treatment encompassing theoretic principles and clinical application.
Additional subject areas may include:
- Principles of Genetics
- Child Development
- Learning Disabilities
- Clinical Research Methods
- Medical Writing
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