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Vision Rehabilitation - Brain Injury

Mission Statement

The residency program in Vision Rehabilitation with an emphasis in Brain Injury Vision Rehabilitation (BIVR) seeks to attract highly qualified optometric graduates and to provide them with advanced knowledge and concentrated clinical experience in all aspects of brain injury rehabilitation including: the vision care of patients with neuro-degenerative disease, patients recovering from traumatic or other acquired brain injury, and patients with other special needs; the evaluation, management, and co-management of binocular vision anomalies; the evaluation and management of multiply-challenged patients of all ages; and the evaluation and management of patients in need of low vision rehabilitation. Residents who complete the program are expected to provide an advanced level of clinical care in brain injury vision rehabilitation.

Program Description

The program is designed to aid the resident in acquiring the advanced clinical skills and knowledge required for the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vision deficits in patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). The resident will provide comprehensive clinical care of patients with neuro-degenerative disease, patients recovering from traumatic or other acquired brain injury, and patients with other special needs. The resident will be an integral part of the interdisciplinary management of these patients and will interact with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals. Additionally, advanced clinical training in the management of binocular vision anomalies in patients of all ages, care of multi-challenged children and adults, and low vision rehabilitation is provided. The residency achieves this goal by combining patient care with a series of didactic lectures and research. The resident will interact with an outstanding clinical and graduate faculty. In addition, the resident will participate in the emergency call service.


Program Site:

University of Houston College of Optometry

Available
Positions

1


Length of Program

55 weeks

Hours of attendance

The typical week for the resident is 43 hours of attendance including patient care, seminars, and teaching assignments, with up to 47 hours inluding On-Call responsibilities. On Call responsibilities are shared by the residents at the College. During On Call, residents provide triaging and emergency/urgent care outside of business hours (nights, weekends and holidays)

Benefits

  1. Health benefits
  2. Retirement program
  3. Vacation
  4. Sick leave
  5. Financial support to professional meetings
  6. Institutional malpractice insurance
  7. Access to University courses, and continuing education offered by the College.

Completion Acknowledgement

  • Certificate (Residency)

Salary / Stipend

$41,000

Application Deadline

January 31st

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Program Coordinator/Contact

University of Houston College of Optometry
4401 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Houston TX, 77204

Muriel L. Martinez
(713) 743-0310
(713) 743-5942
mlmart11@central.uh.edu

Program Videos

Educational Opportunities

Direct supervised patient care experiences in the Brain Injury Vision Rehabilitation and Pediatric and Binocular Vision Services, along with in-patient hospital care at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) as well as other rehabilitation settings. Patient care opportunities in Family Practice, Contact Lens, and Medical Services are also available. Participation in graduate courses which are related to the field of interest. Attendance and participation in faculty and resident seminars and clinical grand rounds. Interaction with pediatric/adult strabismus ophthalmologists who serve as clinic faculty at the University Eye Institute.

Teaching Responsibilities

Laboratory teaching in such areas as primary care procedures, medical procedures, and pediatrics. Supervise third year professional students in the Family Practice Services as skills develop.

Research Responsibilities

The resident, under the guidance of his/her advisor, will select a research project; clinical investigation, laboratory investigation, or extensive library research. A written report suitable for publication in an optometric journal is required.

Completion Requirements

  1. The resident is required to deliver clinical services at a level, which demonstrates they have attained the core competencies specific to their program. This attainment will be determined through formal evaluations of the resident's patient care.
  2. The resident is required to keep a log of patient names and associated information.
  3. The resident must complete the scholarly project requirements specific to their program. This is either original or library research resulting in a paper of publishable quality.
  4. The resident is required to deliver three rounds-style presentations.
  5. The resident is required to successfully complete all clinical rotations assigned in the core and elective curriculum.
  6. The resident is required to successfully complete all teaching assignments.
  7. The resident must attend required seminars, journal clubs and case discussions.
  8. The resident must complete all required evaluations of clinical attendings, rotations, their Program Coordinator and of the Residency Program.
  9. The Director of Residency Programs in conjunction with the Residency Program Coordinator will recommend the granting and certification to the Dean. Upon completing all requirements of the program to the satisfaction of the Program Coordinator and Director of the Residency Programs, a certificate of completion will be awarded to the resident.

The following are required for program admission:

  1. Doctor of optometry degree (OD) from a school or college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE)
  2. Two letters of reference from clinical faculty members
  3. Copy of all optometry transcripts
  4. Curriculum Vita and a letter of intent
  5. Passage of all parts of the NBEO prior to the beginning of the residency
  6. A State of Texas Optometry license (completion of jurisprudence testing prior to beginning of program)
  7. Preference is given to candidates with a 3.0 (out of 4.0) GPA or higher

Application Deadline

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Accreditation Status

Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Suite 301, St. Louis, MO 63141. Phone: 800-365-2219. www.theacoe.org

The policy of the University of Houston System and its components is to ensure equal opportunity in all its educational programs and activities, and all terms and conditions of employment without regard to age, race, color, disability, religion, national origin, veteran's status, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identify or status, or gender expression, except where such a distinction is required by law.

Enhancing Health and Vision for Life