One of the missions of the UAB School of Optometry is to produce graduates fully qualified to provide quality comprehensive eye care services to the public. To fulfill this mission, the School must ensure that students demonstrate satisfactory knowledge and skills in the provision of optometric care. The Admissions Committee, therefore, considers a candidate's capacity to function effectively in both academic and clinical environments, as well as a candidate's academic qualifications and personal attributes.
To provide guidance to those considering optometry as a profession, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) has established functional standards for optometric education. The ability to meet these standards, along with other criteria established by individual optometric institutions, is necessary for graduation from an optometric professional degree program.
The functional standards for optometric education require that the candidate/student possess appropriate abilities in the following areas: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) sensory and motor coordination; 4) intellectual- conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities; and 5) behavioral and social attributes. Each of these areas is described in this document.
In any case where a student's abilities in one of these areas are compromised, he or she must demonstrate alternative means and/or abilities to meet the functional requirements. Upon receipt of appropriate documentation, the Functional Standards Advisory Committee of the School of Optometry will review the request, and will determine the feasibility and nature of the accommodation requested and possible alternatives, if any.
Observation Abilities
The student must be able to acquire a defined level of required knowledge as presented through lectures, laboratories, demonstrations, patient interaction, and self-study. Acquiring this body of information necessitates the functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic sensation enhanced by the functional use of other sensory modalities. Examples of these observational skills in which accurate information needs to be extracted in an efficient manner include:
- Visual Abilities (as they relate to such things as visual acuity, color vision, and binocularity)
- visualizing and reading information from papers, films, slides, video, and computer displays
- observing optical, anatomic, physiologic, and pharmacologic demonstrations and experiments
- discriminating microscopic images of tissue and
microorganisms
- observing a patient and noting non-verbal signs
- discriminating numbers, images, and patterns associated with diagnostic tests and instruments
- visualizing specific ocular tissues in order to discern three-dimensional relationships, depth and color changes
Auditory Abilities
- understanding verbal presentations in lecture, laboratory, and patient settings
- recognizing and interpreting various sounds associated with laboratory experiments, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
Tactile Abilities
- palpating the eye and related areas to determine the integrity of the underlying structures
- palpating and feeling certain cardiovascular pulses
Communication Abilities
The students must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently, and sensitively with patients and their families, peers, staff, instructors, and other members of the health care team. The student must be able to demonstrate established communication skills using traditional and alternative means. Examples of required communication skills include:
- relating effectively and sensitively to patients, conveying compassion and empathy
- perceiving verbal and non-verbal communication, such as sadness, worry, agitation, and lack of comprehension from patients
- eliciting information from patients and observing changes in mood and activity
- communicating quickly, effectively, and efficiently in oral and written English with patients and other members of the health care team
- reading and legibly recording observations, test results, and management plans accurately
- completing assignments, patient records, and correspondence accurately and in a timely manner
Sensory and Motor Coordination Abilities
Students must possess the sensory and motor skills necessary to perform an eye examination, including emergency care. In general, this requires sufficient exteroception sense (touch, pain, temperature), proprioceptive sense (position, pressure, movement, stereognosis, and vibratory), and fine motor function (significant coordination and manual dexterity using arms, wrists, hands, and fingers). Examples of skills required include:
- instillation of ocular pharmaceutical agents
- insertion, removal, and manipulation of contact lenses
- assessment of blood pressure and pulse
- removal of foreign objects from the cornea
- simultaneous manipulation of lenses, instruments, and therapeutic agents and devices
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- reasonable facility of movement
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities
Problem solving, a most critical skill, is essential for optometric students and must be performed quickly, especially in emergency situations. In order to be an effective problem solver, the student must be able to accurately and efficiently utilize such abilities as measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, judgment, investigation, memory, numerical recognition, and synthesis. Examples of these abilities include being able to:
- determine appropriate questions to be asked and clinical tests to be performed
- identify and analyze significant findings from history, examination, and other test data
- demonstrate good judgment and provide a reasonable assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients
- retain, recall, and obtain information in an efficient manner
- identify and communicate the limits of one's knowledge and skill
Behavioral and Social Attributes
The student must possess the necessary behavioral and social attributes for the study and practice of optometry. Examples of such attributes include:
- satisfactory emotional health required for full utilization of one's intellectual ability
- high ethical standards and integrity
- an empathy with patients and concern for their welfare
- commitment to the optometric profession and its standards
- effective interpersonal relationships with patients, peers, and instructors
- professional demeanor
- effective functioning under varying degrees of stress and workload
- adaptability to changing environments and uncertainties inherent in patient care
- positive acceptance of suggestions and constructive criticism
Candidates for admission or students with questions concerning their ability to meet the School of Optometry’s Functional Standards should contact Dr. Gerald Simon, Director of Student Affairs.