Fourth Year Curriculum

The Externship Program is designed to broaden and enhance the student's diagnostic, treatment and management experience of ocular and visual conditions. Clinical experiences in private practice, referral centers, ophthalmology/co-management centers, Veterans Administration hospitals, Department of Defense hospitals and other hospital-based facilities are available. Participation with Doctors of Optometry and other professionals in comprehensive patient care are emphasized. Case conferences and grand round experiences may be assigned. Case presentations, evidence-based research on clinical conditions, and ongoing enhancement of examination skill proficiency as assigned by externship faculty constitutes an important component of this clinical experience.

During the fourth year, interns are assigned to clinical externship training sites for two semesters and the UIWRSO internal clinical network for one semester. The fourth-year rotations within the UIWRSO clinic network include direct supervised patient care in the Cornea and Contact Lens, Dry Eye, Ocular Health, Glaucoma, Retina, Peri-Operative, Low Vision and Rehabilitation, Pediatrics, Vision Therapy, Visual Neurophysiology, and Adult Care Services.

Comprehensive Clinical Management (Grand Rounds) will consist of case presentations and discussions. Students will select an interesting clinical case from their personal clinical experience and present it to the class for discussion and consideration. The presentation should begin with demographics and chief complaint and continue through the assessment and plan. Considerations of alternative diagnoses and additional testing that was needed to rule them out should be included. Explanation of the treatment plan, considerations for the individual’s care moving forward, and the results of any follow up visits should be incorporated into the presentation. The course allows the clinician the opportunity to step back and review the care they provided to the patient in detail, to analyze their clinical reasoning, and reflect on the course of action selected.

Multiple Day Immersion immediately following 3rd year combine with 4th Year Project. A continuation of OPT 7219 with an emphasis on the business aspect and day-to-day operations of the business of optometric practice regardless of career path. Course includes understanding profit and loss statements, banking relationships and applying for a loan, defraying student loan, opening a practice cold, valuation and purchase of practice, elements of office business plan, negotiating premises lease, employment vs 1099, credentialing, organization structure, preparing for licensure, working with insurance plans, and more.