State University of New York State College of Optometry

The State University of New York State College of Optometry (SUNY-Opt) was established in 1971 as a result of a legislative mandate of New York State, USA. It is located in midtown Manhattan in the City of New York next to Bryant Park. It is a center for research on vision and the only school of optometry in New York State.

The College grants a professional degree, the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.), and two academic degrees, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Vision Science and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Vision Science. Continuing education courses for practicing optometrists are also provided by the College.

The University Optometric Center provides eye care, corrective lenses, and vision therapy to the public. The Optometric Center is the largest outpatient eye clinic in the country, serving over 200,000 patients annually.

The Optometric Center of New York, established in 1956, is a foundation affiliated with the College to support vision science research, patient care, scholarships, and fellowships at the College and its clinical facilities.

SUNY-Opt is ranked among the top Optometry schools in the U.S. with NBEO Part I pass rates that are well above the national average (97% - 2006, 96% - 2007; National average ~75%). The College offers residencies to optometrists from around the world including specializations in subfields of optometry.

The College enrolls approximately 75 optometry students per year. About a dozen of these students seek an M.S. degree by doing research in collaboration with faculty. Three to six graduate students enter the Ph.D. program each year; the College recently increased graduate student stipends by more than 50% in response to a perceived need to train students for positions as faculty in schools of optometry and elsewhere.

External links

* [http://www.sunyopt.edu State University of New York State College of Optometry]