Illinois College of Optometry

infobox University


name= Illinois College of Optometry
established= 1872
type= Private
staff= 48
students= 616 : with 162 graduates in 2003
city= Chicago, Illinois USA
country=
website= http://www.ico.edu

The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) is a 4-year private optometry college located in the city of Chicago, Illinois. Graduating approximately 160 optometrists a year, it is the largest optometry college in the United States and is the oldest continually operating educational facility dedicated solely to the teaching of optometrists. The College complex incorporates more than 366,000 square feet including an electronically enhanced lecture center, library, computerized clinical learning equipment, and recreational & living facilities.

Facilities

The Illinois Eye Institute (IEI) is the principal clinical training facility for ICO students and is located adjacent to the College. In addition to primary eye care, a full spectrum of sub-specialty care is available including glaucoma, retina-vitreous, neuro-ophthalmic disorders, cornea-external disease, orbit-oculoplastics, pediatrics/strabismus-amblyopia and low vision rehabilitation. The IEI serves as a center for clinical research involving eye and vision problems including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), cornea and contact lenses, and pediatric eye disorders.

The Shepard Library contains a comprehensive collection of books, periodicals, CD-ROM's, slides and videocassettes relating to the visual sciences and ocular & general health. Leisure reading materials are also available in the form of fiction books and general interest magazines. The Library also provides a haven for studying, with its central skylight, large windows, enclosed courtyard, numerous group-study rooms, comfortable seating and study carrels. The Learning Resource Center is also equipped with computer stations. These computers provide connections to the Library's online catalog; VisionCite, an index database for articles in the vision sciences dating back almost two decades; high-speed internet connections; laser printers & scanners; optometric practice management software; and Microsoft Office Suite. In addition, the LRC houses a multimedia room with VCRs and slide viewers for videocassettes and clinical slides.

Other prominent ICO student organizations include the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), Student Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity (SVOSH), Multicultural Association, Private Practice Club, Canadian Students Association, and the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists.

Academics

The Illinois College of Optometry awards the degrees of Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) and Bachelor of Science in Visual Science (BSVS). The College also offers a joint program with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Chicago to obtain an O.D. Degree and a Master of Science (M.S.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. In addition, the college also offers a joint program with the Illinois Institute of Technology, where a student may obtain a BS in biology from IIT and an O.D. degree from the Illinois College of Optometry.

Pilgrim Baptist Church Fire

Historic Chicago landmark Pilgrim Baptist Church, located at 33rd and Indiana Ave., across the street from ICO, burned down on January 6, 2006 shortly after 3 pm. The church had stood for more than one hundred years and has been described as the birthplace of 20th century gospel music. The fire burned so hot that ICO students experienced mild property damage in the Residential Complex next to the church.

External links

* [http://www.ico.edu Illinois College of Optometry]

References