The School of Optometry(Doctor in Optometry)

Andrés Pagán, OD, MPHDean of The School of Optometry

Inter American University of Puerto Rico

Founded in 1981 as part of the Metropolitan Campus, autonomy unit since 1993.

New school building since 2007, dorms available for students since 2008.

The School operates 5 optometric clinics called “Instituto Interamericano del Ojo” that are the practical educational center for our students in a 75% of their total clinic time scheduled. The main clinic is located here in the School building.

MSA accreditation since 1982; ACOE first accreditation in 1985.

The IAUPR School of Optometry

One of 22 accredited School of Optometry in USA. The only accredited bilingual program (spanish/english) in USA and Caribbean.

All lectures, examination and written material are presented in English language. Spanish is used for the clinical practice.

For the current academic year, 9 out of 10 students come from outside of Puerto Rico.

Inter-religious ecumenical principles.

Special Characteristic of the School of Optometry…

Dean

Dean for Academic Affairs

CAI

Residency Program

Director of Research

Continuing Education

Director Academic Affair

Dean for Students Affairs

Students Services and Financial Aid

Registration Office

Financial Aids Office

Professional Counselor

Dean for Administration

Human Resources

Bursar Office

Property

CIT

Dean for Clinical Affairs

Marketing & Promotion

Bayamon Clinic

Directors of External Clinic (5)

Optical Services

3rd year Coordinator

Executive Assistant

Religious Life Director

External Resources

Assessment & Monitoring

Administrative Organization

To educate, develop and train, within a bilingual environment and supported by committed and competent collaborators a diverse student population from Puerto Rico, the United States and the rest of the world to become Doctors of Optometry who are knowledgeable, skilled and ethical primary health providers, dedicated to community service. In addition, the School promotes lifelong learning and provides support services to the profession in and outside Puerto Rico.

The Mission of the School of Optometry

According with the American Optometric Association (AOA):

Doctors of optometry (ODs) are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.

The Profession of Doctor of Optometry in USA…

Accredited since 1985 from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), belonging to the American Optometric Association.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), accredited since 1982.

Accreditations of the Optometric Program

Four years academic program composed by 8 semester and 2 summer sections

First Year: 2 semester (fall and spring) 1 summer section (June)

Second Year: 2 semester (fall and spring)

Third Year: 1 summer section (July) 2 semester (fall and spring)

Fourth year: 2 semester ( fall and spring)

The Academic Program Description…

The Academic Program Description…

Credits Lecture hours

Laboratory / Demonstration

hours

Screening hours

Clinic hours

150.26 1305 645-765 60 2140

Program Totals Hours: 4,150-4,270

First Year Courses Fall Semester Courses CreditsOpto SBS1: Systemic Biomedical Sciences I 4Opto APP1: Applied Pharmacology I 3Opto APO1: Applied Optics I 4Opto PCO1: Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry I 2Opto CCO1: Cultural Competency in Optometry I 2Opto CCL1: Cultural Competency Language Lab I (Optional) (1)Opto HDA0: Human Development and Aging 2Opto OAP1: Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology I 2.5

Totals 19.5 (20.5)

Spring Semester Courses CreditsOpto SBS2: Systemic Biomedical Sciences 2 4Opto APO2: Applied Optics 2 4Opto PCO2: Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 2 2Opto VS01: Vision Screenings 0.5Opto CCO2: Cultural Competency in Optometry 2 2Opto CCL2: Cultural Competency Language Lab 2 (Optional) (1)Opto OAP2: Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 2 3Opto APP2: Applied Pharmacology 2 3Opto OCD1: Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 1 1

Totals 19.5 (20.5)

Summer Term (June) Courses CreditsOpto LFC0: Perception of Light, Form and Color 4

Totals 4

Total Credits First Year 43 .00 (45.00)

Second Year Courses

Fall Semester Course CreditsOpto PCO4: Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 4 5Opto CLK1: Clinical Clerkship 1Opto CSA0: Comprehensive Clinic Skills Assessment 0.1Opto PCL0: Primary Care Contact Lenses 3Opto ODS2: Ocular Diseases 2 4Opto DVT1: Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 1 3Opto EPH0: Epidemiology and Public Health 2Opto OCD3: Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 3 0.5

Totals 18.6

Fall Semester Course CreditsOpto SBS3: Systemic Biomedical Sciences 3 4Opto APO3: Applied Optics 3 4Opto PCO3: Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 3 5Opto VSC1: Vision Screenings and Clerkship 1Opto MBV0: Ocular Motility and Binocular Vision 4Opto ODS1: Ocular Disease 1 4Opto OCD2: Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 2 0.5

Totals 22.5

Totals Credits Second Year 41.1

Third Year Courses

Fall Semester Courses CreditsOpto ODS3: Ocular Diseases 3 4Opto DVT2: Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 2 3Opto PLV0: Primary Care Low Vision 3Opto GRO0: Geriatric Optometry 1.5Opto PDO0: Pediatric Optometry 1.5Opto EBO0: Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-Based Optometry 1Opto POE0: Profession of Optometry and Ethics 1Opto PCO2: Patient Care 2 4Opto PBM0: Publishable Manuscript Submission 0.5

Totals 19.5

Fall Semester Courses CreditsOpto ODS3: Ocular Diseases 3 4Opto DVT2: Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 2 3Opto PLV0: Primary Care Low Vision 3Opto GRO0: Geriatric Optometry 1.5Opto PDO0: Pediatric Optometry 1.5Opto EBO0: Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-Based Optometry 1Opto POE0: Profession of Optometry and Ethics 1Opto PCO2: Patient Care 2 4Opto PBM0: Publishable Manuscript Submission 0.5

Totals 19.5

Summer term (July) Courses CreditsOpto PC01 : Patient Care 1 0.66Opto OVR0: Vision Research 2

Totals 2.66

Total Credits Third 39.16

Fourth YearFall and Spring Semesters Clinic Site Assignment Credits

Opto PC40: Patient Care- Bayamón Clinic 2.5Opto PC41: In- House Satelite Clinics- Rio Piedras Clinic 2.5Opto PC42: In- House Satelite Clinics- Caguas Clinic 2.5Opto PC43: In- House Satelite Clinics-Santurce Clinic 2.5Opto PC44: In- House Satelite Clinics-Hato Rey Clinic 2.5Opto PC45: In- House Satelite Clinics-Juana Diaz Clinic 2.5Opto LE01: Local Externships Sites-Site 1 2.5Opto LE02: Local Externships Sites-Site 2 2.5Opto LE03: Local Externships Sites-Site 3 5.0Opto LE04: Local Externships Sites-Site 4 5.0Opto EA01: Externships Sites Abroad- Externship Site 1 2.5Opto EA02: Externships Sites Abroad- Externship Site 2 2.5Opto EA03: Externships Sites Abroad- Externship Site 3 5.0Opto EA04: Externships Sites Abroad- Externship Site 4 5.0

Totals *25

Total Credits Fourth Year 25.00

To be considered for admission, an applicant must have successfully met the following criteria:

1. Minimum of 90 credits approved from accredited University with General Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 or greater.

2. Have approved 54 prerequisites credits with 2.50 (GPA) or grater: general biology, microbiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, physics, statistics, biochemistry, psychology, social science and English)

3. Optometry Admission Test of 3004. Interview

Admission Requirement

To receive the degree of Doctor of Optometry (OD) the students must: 

Pass all courses comprising the curriculum with an overall grade point average of 2.00 or better.

Submit to the faculty advisor a publishable research manuscript which must also be approved by the Dean for Academic Affairs

Transfer Students must complete at least two years in studies at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry.

Approve part I (ABS) of the National Board Examiner in Optometry (NBEO)

Graduation Requirements

Students

Our current student body is 228 The School admit only 60 students per

year, this current year we had 4.48 application by available seat

We promote the student’s diversity

Students…

Diversity

Currently, we have an student’s representation of among 20-25 nationalities…

Orientation Week

Student’s Services Activites…

White Coat Ceremony

Student’s Services Activities…

Wellness Program

Student’s Services Activities…

FACULTY

 

 

THE FACULTY OF THE SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRYEducative level Full-time Part-time Total

BS 1 0 1MA 0 1 1OD 9 18 27

OD + Residency 5 0 5OD + Residency +

MPH1 0 1

OD + MA 1 1 2OD + MPH 1 0 2OD + PhD 2 0 2

MD + Residency + Fellowship

1 0 1

MD + Residency + MPH

0 1 1

MD + Residency 0 1 1

Totals 21 22 43

ASVO/VOSH Eye exam and delivery of eyeglasses to poor

communities of Dominican Republic.

Happy Children Tour Eye screening, teaching values and pet therapy

Vision in contrast Exhibition and sale of works of arts

Communities Projects…

Thank you…