01/30/2023

Ohio State Curriculum Supports the Growing Optometric Scope of Practice  

Dr. Greg Nixon 

The Ohio State University College of Optometry takes great pride in educating the next generation of optometrists. Given that our students are both recruited from across the US and Canada, and that many practice outside of Ohio after graduation, the college must teach to the highest scope of practice and not just to Ohio’s scope. As such, the curriculum must be comprehensive to train students to practice to the fullest scope of practice in whatever state they choose. As the scope of practice has expanded in several states in recent years, so has the OSU optometry curriculum. For example, the college owns a laser and trains optometry students to perform selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), peripheral iridotomy (PI), and YAG capsulotomy in a laboratory setting. Similarly, students are involved in laboratories where they demonstrate proficiency in intramuscular, intravenous, and subconjunctival injections. Basic suturing and wound healing are covered. The college also recently purchased a radiofrequency device for training removal of skin tags of the periocular skin.  

It should be emphasized that the college is not teaching these modern procedures at the expense of other specialty areas of optometric practice. All students still enjoy robust and comprehensive training in refractive and binocular care, including ophthalmic optics, myopia management, vision therapy, low vision rehabilitation, and contact lenses. Comprehensive management of ocular disease and complications of systemic disease is addressed through clinic rotations both on and off campus. All students have clinical rotations at a VA medical facility, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), and private optometry and ophthalmology offices. Last academic year, our students examined over 130,000 patients which involved over 11,000 therapeutic prescriptions and scores of surgical co-management cases.  

In short, graduating OSUCO students are trained to perform at the highest scope of practice available. They are equipped to thrive in all areas of modern optometry and have formed an excellent foundation to build as the field continues to grow.