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Optometry

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Education and Training

VA Education and Training:

Education of trainees in medicine and associated health care disciplines is an important component of VHA's patient care mission. VA offers optometry education through student externships, post-doctoral residency education, and post-residency fellowship clinical and research programs.

Residency Training

All optometry residents receive training in primary eye care and ocular disease management, serving as part of an interdisciplinary team working to provide high quality patient care. Residents augment their training through various medical service rotations, grand rounds and/or other professional development activities.

Optometry Residency Offerings can be found at ORMatch | Index (natmatch.com).

VA Optometry Residency Programs Listing 
VA Optometry Residency Programs Brochure

Graduate Optometric Education - Post-Residency VA Advanced Fellowship Programs:

The purpose of the Post-residency VA Advanced Fellowship is to ensure the continuation and future development of select VA health care professionals, including Optometrists, to aid in the growth of exceptional clinical and/or research capabilities in emerging health professions and services of particular importance to VA and the Nation.  Through creative partnerships, use of new technology, and innovative educational modalities, these fellowship programs promote and foster the highest standards of leadership, intellectual integrity, research, and patient care.

Optometry Externship Programs:

VA medical facilities provide clinical education and training opportunities for optometry students, enrolled in a four-year post-baccalaureate ACOE accredited Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) Professional Optometric Degree Program, at over 125 VA medical facilities nationwide.  About 70% of the 1,500 to 1,600 annual graduates of the ACOE accredited Schools and Colleges of Optometry in the United States are trained at VHA facilities every year.

VA Optometry Externship Programs Listing

For additional information on VA Education and Training Programs: VA Office of Academic Affiliations - Information for Clinical Trainees

 

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