Cornea and contact Lenes
Cornea and contact Lenes
Site Locations: Commonwealth Practice, New England Eye Institute, Boston, MA;
TLC The Laser Center, Waltham, MA;
Other affiliated sites in the Boston area
Established: 1996
Positions: Two
Program Coordinator: Ronald K. Watanabe, O.D.
Accreditation Status: Fully Accredited by the ACOE
MISSION STATEMENT OF THE RESIDENCY IN CORNEA AND CONTACT LENSES:
The mission of the Residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses at the New England College of Optometry is to produce optometrists with extensive clinical expertise in advanced contact lens fitting and management, diagnosis and management of ocular surface abnormalities and disease, and co-management in corneal and refractive surgery. Through advanced clinical education, teaching assignments and opportunities for scholarly activity, residents will be prepared for leadership careers in clinical eye care, optometric education, and clinical research.
GOALS:
§ To provide a diverse, advanced clinical experience in the design and fitting of specialty contact lenses.
§ To provide advanced clinical training in the diagnosis and management of corneal and ocular surface disease.
§ To provide advanced clinical training in the co-management of post-corneal surgery patients.
§ To provide the resident with experience in clinical and didactic teaching.
§ To stimulate life-long learning and academic contributions to the profession by providing the resident with opportunities for research and other scholarly activity.
§ To prepare the resident for professional careers with leadership roles in the areas of specialty contact lens care and corneal disease management (clinical practice, education, and/or research).
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
§ To examine, fit and manage a large number of specialty contact lens patients of sufficient diversity to provide a broad-based experience in specialty contact lens types.
§ To examine and manage a large number of ocular surface disease patients according to currently accepted standards of care.
§ To examine and co-manage a large number corneal and refractive surgery patients, including appropriate selection, counseling, and co-management according to currently accepted clinical protocols and standards of care, and appropriate contact lens fitting when indicated.
§ To develop the resident's teaching skills through clinical supervision, laboratory instruction, and lecture presentations.
§ To regularly participate in scholarly activity during the year, and to develop and complete an original manuscript of publishable quality.
§ To develop opportunities in both clinical and research areas by expanding the residents professional network through clinical activities and at professional meetings.
RESIDENT ACTIVITIES:
The residents are expected to be engaged in residency related activities for 40 to 50 hours per week. These activities include the following:
§ Direct optometric patient care to include contact lens fitting and follow-up care, diagnosis and management of anterior segment disease, and pre-operative and post-operative care of refractive surgery patients. Direct care will occur at several of the following clinical facilities:
§ Commonwealth Practice of the New England Eye Institute, primary eye care facility of the New England College of Optometry: general and specialty contact lens care
§ TLC Laser Center: co-management of refractive surgery patients
§ Boston Foundation for Sight: specialty contact lens care including scleral lenses, ocular surface disease management
§ Boston Medical Center: general and specialty contact lens care
§ Dimock Community Health Center: general and specialty contact lens care
§ Private Practice of Dr. Dennis Karambelas: general and specialty contact lens care
§ Charles River Eye Associates: anterior segment disease surgery and management
§ Teaching activities, including laboratory instruction in the Contact Lens courses, supervised clinical instruction in the Contact Lens Service, and lecturing and instructing in contact lens workshop programs.
§ Scholarly activities to include an original research project or case report, and a presentation at the Annual NECO Residency Conference and possibly a regional or national optometry conference. Other scholarly pursuits are encouraged.
LENGTH OF RESIDENCY:
The residency will be one calendar year in length, beginning July 1, 2011 ending June 30, 2012.
FINANCIAL ASPECTS:
The resident will receive an annual stipend of $36,000 for 2011-12. In addition, the resident will receive health care benefits, two weeks of paid vacation, no cost continuing education at the College, a travel stipend and malpractice insurance coverage during residency activities at College affiliated sites.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Application instructions can be obtained from the Optometric Residency Matching Service (ORMS) at www.orms.org or from Dr. Ronald Watanabe, Residency Program Supervisor.
The application information should include the following:
§ Applicant must have earned a Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited school or college of optometry prior to the onset of the program year. Official transcripts must be provided.
§ Applicant must have taken and passed Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exams. Official scores must be provided.
§ A letter of intent describing the applicant's reasons for applying to the program and the applicant's career goals.
§ Three letters of recommendation.
§ Current curriculum vitae.
Application deadline is February 1, 2011.
A personal interview is required and will be scheduled by the Program Coordinator after receipt of all application materials.
All applicants will be evaluated without regard to gender, race, age, citizenship, or non-disqualifying physical disabilities.
CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION OF THE RESIDENCY:
§ The resident is required to keep a detailed log of all program activities, which will be reviewed by the Program Coordinator and the Director of Residencies. The log will include patient demographics, services provided, and level of involvement in the care of the patient.
§ The resident is required to deliver patient care services at a satisfactory level to those responsible for the supervision of the various aspects of the residency program.
§ The resident is required to write a paper suitable for publication in a refereed optometric journal. The paper should be based upon the resident's original research project or a suitable clinical case. The initial draft of the paper is due April 1 to the Program Coordinator. The final paper is due by June 30.
§ The resident will be expected to perform in a professional manner in the delivery of patient care services and to observe those properties of conduct and courtesies that are consistent with the rules and regulations governing each clinical facility at which the resident is assigned.
§ The resident will be apprised periodically of evaluations received from clinical faculty and informed of recommendations or suggestions made to enhance performance. Upon evidence of satisfactory performance in meeting all requirements of the program, the resident will be awarded a Certificate of Completion by the College.
For more information, please contact:
Ronald Watanabe, OD
Program Coordinator, Residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses
The New England Eye Institute
930 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 262-2020
or
Douglas Hoffman, OD
Director of Residencies
The New England Eye Institute
940 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 2
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 587-5511 x 5177