Education and Training

This page contains information and documentation related to optometry education and training programs at VA medical facilities.

Education of trainees in medicine and associated health care disciplines is an important component of VHA's patient care mission.

Graduate Optometric Education - Research Fellowship Program:

The purpose of the post-residency VA Optometric Research Fellowship Program is to ensure the continuation and future development of VA optometric research, to stimulate research in age-related eye diseases and vision disorders, to improve visual rehabilitation capabilities, and to enhance visual outcomes.

This two-year post-residency fellowship offers research, educational, and clinical training to selected optometrists. These include outstanding optometrists who have completed Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) accredited residency programs in geriatrics, hospital-based, ocular disease, low vision rehabilitation, or primary eye care.

Selected fellows receive guidance from one or more preceptors with proven records of optometric clinical research, or research relevant to optometry, such as biomedical research, clinical science research and development, health services research and development, and rehabilitation research and development.

Research, education, and clinical fellowship training experiences in this two-year fellowship program may focus on areas such as: eye and vision disorders; age-related vision loss from macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, etc.; use of new technologies, including telemedicine, for glaucoma, diabetic, and other eye disease conditions; low vision rehabilitation strategies; low vision device development and evaluation; dual sensory impairment issues; visual rehabilitation outcomes, etc.

The fellowship program is designed to develop individual potential for research careers relevant to VA optometry. At least 75 percent of the fellowship time is to be devoted to biomedical, clinical, rehabilitation, or health services research, including didactic education related to research. Up to 25 percent of the fellowship time may be allotted to advanced clinical and/or teaching activities.

Applicants must:

• Be citizens of the United States
• Have successfully completed an ACOE accredited optometric residency program
• Possess a full and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia before the beginning of the fellowship. NOTE: The license does not have to be from the state where the fellowship program is located.

Click here for a brochure on the VA Optometric Research Fellowship Program 

Including the Optometric Research Fellowship Program, there are other VA Advanced Fellowship Program one-year Clinical Track and two-year Research Track opportunities available to post-residency trained optometrists.

• Geriatrics  
• Health Services Research and Development  
• Health Systems Engineering  
• Medical Informatics 
• Nomination and Appointment of Fellows for all Fellowship Programs (see bottom of page) 
• Optometric Research Fellowship Program  
• Patient Safety 
• Polytrauma and Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation 

Click here to view the current locations of other VA Advanced Fellowship Programs with optometrists.

Graduate Optometric Education - Optometry Residency Programs:

The Department of Veterans Affairs has the largest optometry clinical training program in the United States. There are over 170 Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (Note: Links to a website outside VA) accredited post-graduate residents and over 1,250 externship positions available annually for clinical training. Former VA residents are among the most successful and nationally recognized individuals within the profession.

In today's changing health care environment, it is important to plan for the future. All current indicators suggest that the demand for optometrists with residency training will continue to increase. Already, many of the best jobs require post-graduate residency certification.

Regardless of ultimate career goals, a VA residency can be an excellent "stepping stone". The opportunity to acquire an outstanding position within a practice or managed care organization is enhanced by having completed a VA residency. Prior VA residents are also given preference for VA staff positions. Many others have obtained faculty appointments at a School or College of Optometry due to their VA residency credentials.

Each VA Residency Program is unique as experiences and opportunities are different at each site. More specific residency program information can be obtained by contacting the individual sites.

Unique Benefits of a VA Residency:

• An outstanding 12 month (July 1st - June 30th) clinical patient care experience serving a challenging and rewarding veteran population
• A stimulating interdisciplinary environment where the resident learns to coordinate quality primary optometric eye care services with other health care providers to maximize patient care outcomes and learning experiences
• Research and academic opportunities mentored by experienced clinicians who are among the most published optometrists worldwide
• Opportunity for emphasis in either Primary Eye Care or combined Primary Eye Care/Low Vision Rehabilitation
• Vacation, national holidays, and sick days along with authorized absence for approved continuing education
• Health & Life Insurance plans available
• Competitive annual salary

Residency Training

All residents receive training in primary eye care, serving as part of an interdisciplinary team working to provide high quality patient care. With a primarily geriatric patient population, ocular disease management is a significant portion of the training experience. Residents augment their training through various medical service rotations, grand rounds and/or other professional development activities.

Low Vision Rehabilitation Residency

In addition to the above mentioned advanced competence areas, certain programs offer some training in low vision care. This experience typically includes exposure to a professional team of highly qualified providers with unique skills for care of visually impaired Veterans.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be citizens of the United States
• Be graduates with the degree of Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) resulting from a course of education in optometry. The degree must have been obtained from an ACOE accredited School of College of Optometry or an Optometry School (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia as qualifying for full and unrestricted licensure
• Obtain licensure in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia before completion of the first year of VA residency

Application

Transcripts, NBEO scores, letters of recommendation, and on-site interviews are factors considered for acceptance to a VA residency program. All applications are submitted through the Optometry Residency Matching Service, Inc. (ORMS) at: http://optometryresident.org Note: Links to a website outside VA.

Residency Training Programs at VA medical facilities offer outstanding educational opportunities for graduate optometrists to obtain advanced clinical competence. These programs are designed to enhance residents' knowledge and experience in areas of primary and secondary eye care, low vision, ocular and systemic disease, and research.
 
VA residency programs are one-year in length, starting on July 1st and ending June 30th. The application process is coordinated through the Optometry Residency Matching Service, Inc.

VA Optometric Residency Training Programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE). Programs are required to follow guidelines set forth in the ACOE Accreditation Manual: Optometric Residency Programs, including the ACOE Optometric Residency Standards.

After successful completion of optometry residency requirements, VA residency-trained optometrists are eligible to take the Advanced Competence in Medical Optometry (ACMO) Examination administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.

The VA also has its own policies and procedural requirements regarding residents. These may be found below:

VA Optometric Residency, Fellowship and Other Related Policies:

• Billing Guidance for Services Provided by Supervising Practitioners and Residents Directive 
• Eye Clinic Space Planning Criteria
• Leave Accrual for Optometry Residents and Fellows, 5 U.S.C., Chapter 63:
  • Annual Leave Accrual, U.S. Office of Personnel Management 
  • Sick leave Accrual, U.S. Office of Personnel Management
• Mandatory Training
• Resident Supervision Handbook 
• VHA/ACOE Business Associate Agreement 
  • ACOE Letter about VA/ACOE Business Associate Agreement 
  • ACOE Policy on Personal Health Information (PHI) De-identification
• VHA Directive 2002-064, Associated Health Interns, Residents and Fellows Appointment Regarding Insurance Benefits
  • OAA Guidance on Appointment of Year-Long Trainees: Eligibility for Federal Health and Life Insurance
• VHA Eye Care Handbook 

A student observes clinic procedures.

VA Trainee Application and Information:  

• Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) Note: Links to a website outside VA
• ACOE Standards, Manuals and Accredited Programs Note: Links to a website outside VA
• Advanced Competency in Medical Optometry (ACMO) Examination Note: Links to a website outside VA
• Application for Health Profession Trainees - VA Form 10-2850D 
• Appointment Affidavits 
• Brochure of VA Optometry Residency Programs 
• Credential Supplemental Information 
• Clinical Trainee Registration, VHA Directive 2003-032 
• Declaration for Federal Employment (OF 306) 
• Directory of VA Optometry Fellowship Programs 
• Directory of VA Optometry Residency Programs 
• Optometry Residency Matching Service, Inc. (ORMS) Note: Links to a website outside VA
• Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions
• Request for Personal Identity Verification Card 
• Supervision of Associated Health Trainees 
• VA National Rules of Behavior - VA Handbook 6500, Appendix G 
• VA Office of Academic Affiliations - Information for Clinical Trainees 

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, in Optometry Externship Programs at over 120 VA medical facilities nationwide. About 70% of the 1,400 to 1,500 annual graduates of the ACOE accredited Schools and Colleges of Optometry in the United States have performed public health care services at VHA facilities to distinguished citizens of the United States, our Nation's Veterans.

Each VA medical facility must have an affiliation agreement with an Accreditation Council on Optometric Education accredited sponsoring School or College of Optometry.

Students, Candidates and Trainees

Optometry students or candidates assigned to VA Optometric Externship Program rotations must:

• Be enrolled in an ACOE-accredited program
• Come from school(s) or college(s) of optometry with an affiliation agreement with the VA facility
• Be appointed on a without compensation (WOC) basis

Additional Links: 

• ACP Physicians' Information and Education Resource (PIER) Note: Links to a website outside VA
• Affiliation Agreement Template for Developing VA Optometry Residency and/or Externship Programs
• Additional Information Regarding the Educational Affiliation Agreement
• Mandatory Training
• NEI David G. Cogan Ophthalmic Pathology Collection
• VA Office of Academic Affiliations
• VA Office of Academic Affiliations - Application Forms for Clinical Trainees & Residents
• VA Office of Academic Affiliations - Educational Affiliation Agreements for Associated Health
• VA Policy on Affiliation Partnership Councils