Emory University School of Medicine

Allied Health Professions 1997-1999

Ophthalmic Technology

Department Chairman T. Aaberg, M.D.

Program Director M. Gemmill, M.M.Sc., C.O.M.T.

Co-Medical Directors H. Grossniklaus, M.D., T. Wojno, M.D.

Research Project Director H. Edelhauser, Ph.D.

Professors T. Aaberg, M.D., R. Church, Ph.D., H. Edelhauser, Ph.D., B. McCarey, Ph.D., P. Sternberg, Jr., M.D.,R. Stulting, M.D., Ph.D., G. Waring III, M.D.

Associate Professors G. Broocker, M.D., R. Brown, M.D., C. Drews-Botsch, Ph.D., D. Geroski, Ph.D., H. Grossniklaus, M.D., S. Lambert, M.D., M. Lynch, M.D., N. Newman, M.D., J. Nickerson, Ph.D., T. Wojno, M.D.

Assistant Professors A. Beck, M.D., A. Capone Jr., M.D., A. Drack, M.D., D. Martin, M.D., D. Palay, M.D., L. Taub, M.D., K. Thompson, M.D.

Instructors L. Achiron, O.D., F.A.A.O., S. Primo, O.D., F.A.A.O., M. Ward, B.S., F.C.S.L.A., N. Witkin, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Senior Associates L. DuBois, M.Ed., M.M.Sc., C.O., C.O.M.T., M. Gemmill, M.M.Sc., C.O.M.T., R. Waldron, M.M.Sc., C.O.M.T., C.R.A.

Associates D. Loupe, M.M.Sc., C.O., C.O.M.T., M. Lynn, M.S., C. Moore, M.M.Sc., C.O., C.O.M.T., A. Stewart, M.S., C.O., C.O.T.

MASTER OF MEDICAL SCIENCE DEGREE

The Ophthalmic Technology Profession

Certified ophthalmic medical technologists (C.O.M.T.s) have become widely used in the ophthalmic medical practice and, therefore, persons with this certification are in great demand. There are approximately twenty thousand board-certified ophthalmologists in the United States, while the Joint Commission for Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) lists the number of active and inactive C.O.M.T.s in the United States as approximately seven hundred.

Ophthalmologists have come to expect a high level of expertise and knowledge in clinical skills and diagnostic testing. A wide variety of employment opportunities is available for the C.O.M.T.

The Emory Ophthalmic Technology Program

There is a great ongoing need for comprehensively trained, qualified personnel to support ophthalmologists in the clinical practice of medicine, and in ophthalmic research. The Department of Ophthalmology offers a program that will grant a masters of medical science degree as well as prepare its students to sit for national board examinations in order to become certified ophthalmic medical technologists.

The program is provisionally accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Ophthalmic Medical Personnel, 2025 Woodlane Drive, St. Paul, MN 55125-2995, 800-284-3937 or 612-731-2944.

Admission Requirements

The following requirements must be satisfied for admission.

1. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree earned at a satisfactory level of achievement from an accredited institution (or, for foreign students, completion of equivalent study). A major in science with a background in biology or physics is preferred. Non-science major applicants will be considered if they have demonstrated an aptitude in the required courses.

2. The following courses are required of all applicants: biology, six semester hours; physics, six semester hours; chemistry, three semester hours; statistics, three semester hours; and general psychology, three semester hours.

   In addition, these courses are recommended and preferred within three years of matriculation: optics, three semester hours; anatomy, three semester hours with lab; physiology, three semester hours with lab.

3. Satisfactory completion of verbal, quantitative, and analytic sections of the GRE (institutional code 5196).

4. Three recommendations, with at least two professional or educational references.

5. Students receiving education in a country where English is a foreign language must successfully complete the written and spoken Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), as well as provide transcripts verifying completion of one year of schooling in the United States, preferably in the basic sciences. All transcripts must be submitted by the applicant to a credential evaluation agency for determination of equivalency to U.S. educational standards.

6. Prior to admission, the applicant must undergo a complete physical examination and a thorough (dilated) eye examination, and comply with the program requirements listed under "Technical Standards."

7. On-campus interviews with the program admissions committee are required before formal acceptance. From March to May, completed applications will be reviewed for the individual's qualifications. Each will receive a letter informing the candidate of his/her status. Qualified candidates will be invited for an on-campus interview that must be arranged prior to the date of intended matriculation and before notification of acceptance.

8. Approval of admission by the ophthalmic technology admissions committee and faculty.

Application materials will be accepted from January 1st to April 30th of the year of intended matriculation. No application will be considered without the application fee. Applicants are encouraged to submit all materials prior to the deadline. Incomplete applications or those received after the deadline will be considered when all materials are received and at the discretion of the program director and the admissions committee.

Applicants should be aware that the recommended deadline for financial aid applications is during February and March. A delay in submission of these aplications may cause a delay in the receipt of any award. See the financial aid handbook of the Emory University School of Medicine for more specific details.

Technical Standards

For successful completion of the master of medical science in ophthalmic technology program, the applicant must possess skills and abilities which are essential to the practice of ophthalmic technology. These include communication, critical thinking, physical mobility, fine motor ability, sensory ability, and mental/emotional stability.

These skills require that applicants have the ability to meet technical standards that have been established for this program. They are:

I. Communication

The individual must be able to communicate effectively and relate interpersonally with other individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

Examples include obtaining a patient history, instructing the patient in his/her treatment regimen, answering patient and family questions regarding the patient's diagnoses, instructing and informing the patient and family regarding testing procedures and treatment.

II. Critical Thinking

The individual must be able to function appropriately in interpersonal relationships by exhibiting use of good judgment, empathy, reliability, and emotional stability; must possess the ability to practice appropriately in stressful situations and to work acceptably with others in order to:

A. Review and evaluate patient needs by administering tests, measurements, and evaluations,

B. Assist the physician in the plan and preparation of treatment programs that:

(1) Include realistic goals in terms of diagnosis, prognosis, physical/psychosocial status and anticipated lifestyle of the patient.
(2) Include effective treatment methods that provide a high probability of achieving treatment goals.
(3) Are within resource constraints.
(4) Provide for periodic provision according to changes in the patient's physiological state.
(5) Contain specificity and comprehensiveness to the level of personnel who will execute the plan.

III. Physical Mobility and Fine Motor Skills

The individual must possess adequate motor skills and hand/eye coordination in order to:

A. Operate and adjust ophthalmic equipment for patient examination and testing.

B. Perform and administer ophthalmic diagnostic tests.

C. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

IV. Mental and Emotional Stability

The individual must be able to effectively:

A. Interact with patients and families in a manner which provides the desired psychosocial support by:

(1) Recognizing his/her own reaction to illness and disability.
(2) Recognizing patients' and families' reactions to illness and disability.
(3) Respecting individual, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic differences in people.
(4) Utilizing appropriate communicative processes.

B. Demonstrate safe, ethical, and legal practice as stated by the profession.

C. Engage the greatest possible degree of patient motivation and cooperation in treatment.

D. Function effectively with other health care practitioners in providing appropriate patient care and improving the quality of patient care,

E. Be responsive to ideas and techniques that might be more appropriate or safe.

Degree Requirements

1. A minimum residence of six semesters of study.

2. Continuous enrollment from matriculation to graduation.

3. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of ninety semester hours of instruction, which will include thirty-three credit hours of didactics, thirty-five credit hours of clinical practicum and twenty credit hours of a research project. In addition, students will be required to attend at least two grand rounds and seminar courses during their course of study.

4. Satisfactory completion of all courses with a B average.

5. Satisfactory completion of a special research project with oral presentation to the research project committee.

National Certifying Examination

In order to become nationally certified as an ophthalmic medical technologist, the student or graduate must successfully pass a Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology written examination for ophthalmic medical technologists. The candidate is then invited to take the Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology written examination for ophthalmic medical technologists. The candidate is then invited to take the JCAHPO performance test, which is a practical examination of clinical skills.

Required Didactic Courses

501. Grand Rounds and Seminar
Fall. Credit, one hour
Students will attend weekly grand rounds and Wednesday research seminars and maintain a journal of new terminology, case presentation techniques, and research methods.

502. Grand Rounds and Seminar
Spring. Credit, one hour.
Continuation of 501.

503. Grand Rounds and Seminar
Summer. Credit, one hour.
Continuation of 502.

505. Clinical Practicum: Clinical Observation
Fall. Credit, four hours.

510. Introduction to Medical Assisting
Fall. Credit, one hour.
This course will include medical terminology, medical law and ethics, and general psychology.

515a and b. Clinical Practicum: Visual Fields
Fall. Credit, one hour Spring. Credit, two hours.

520. General and Ocular Anatomy and Physiology
Fall. Credit, one hour.
General anatomy of the heart and circulatory system and autonomic nervous system. Structure and physiology of ocular anatomy.

525. Clinical Practicum: Introduction to Eye Examination
Fall. Credit, one hour.

530. Introduction to Ophthalmic Examination
Fall. Credit, three hours.
This course includes basic ocular motility, basic optics, ophthalmic pharmacology, and introduction to diseases of the eye.

531. Abnormalities of Binocular Vision
Summer. Credit, one hour.
Evaluation of motor fusion and sensory fusion and physiology, paralytic strabismus, structural and innervational anomalies, and surgical and nonsurgical treatment.

532. Neuro-Ophthalmic Anatomy
Summer. Credit, two hours.
Anatomy and function of brain, spinal cord, and neurons. Characteristics of the peripheral and cranial nerves and autonomic nervous system.

535. Clinical Practicum: General Eye Examination
Spring. Credit, one hour.

540. Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures
Fall. Credit, three hours.
History-taking, examination of visual acuity and pupils. Proper techniques of performing slit-lamp biomicroscopy, tonometry, pachometry, keratometry, perimetry, photokeratoscopy, videokeratoscopy, and obtaining cultures of the eye and adnexa.

545. Clinical Practicum: Oculoplastics
Spring. Credit, two hours.

550. Physiologic Optics
Spring. Credit, one hour.
The optics of the human eye. The theory of retinoscopy and the principles of refractometry.

551. Surgical Assisting
Summer. Credit, one hour.
Terminology and principles of sterile technique. Sterilization techniques, and the proper method of surgical assisting in various ophthalmic procedures.

555. Clinical Practicum: Glaucoma
Spring. Credit, two hours.

560. Introduction to Contact Lenses/Microbiology
Spring. Credit, two hours.
Contact lens nomenclature, lens designs, and principles of fitting contact lenses. Microbiology terminology and classification of bacteria, identifying factors, and the effects of bacteria on the eye.

561. Advanced Contact Lens and Photography
Summer. Credit, one hour.
Modification, inspection, polishing techniques and verifications of proper contact lens parameters. Problem solving in contact lens fitting as well as advanced photography techniques of fluorescein angiography and ICG.

565. Clinical Practicum: Contact Lenses
Spring. Credit, two hours.

570. General Medical Knowledge
Spring. Credit, one hour.
This course will cover systemic disorders and their ocular manifestations.

575. Clinical Practicum: Cornea
Summer. Credit, two hours.

580. Ancillary Testing and Equipment Maintenance
Spring. Credit, three hours
This course will include ophthalmic photography, care and maintenance of ophthalmic equipment, electrophysiology, low vision, and supervision of ophthalmic medical personnel.

585. Clinical Practicum: Low Vision
Summer. Credit, one hour

591. Clinical Research Methods I
Summer. Credit, two hours.
Development of a research project by writing a study protocol, developing a consent form, and submitting it to the internal review board for approval.

595. Clinical Practicum: Pediatric Ophthalmology and Electrophysiology
Summer. Credit, two hours.

596. Clinical Practicum: Retina
Summer.Credit, two hours.

597. Clinical Practicum: Echography
Summer. Credit, one hour.

601. Grand Rounds and Seminar
Fall. Credit, one hour.

602. Grand Rounds and Seminar
Spring. Credit, one hour.

603. Grand Rounds and Seminar
Summer. Credit, one hour.

605a and b. Clinical Practicum: Surgical Assisting
Fall. Credit, two hours. Spring. Credit, one hour.

610. Review of Anatomy
Fall. Credit, one hour.

615. Visual Fields/Photography
Summer. Credit, two hours.

620. Review of Optics and Pharmacology
Fall. Credit, one hour.

630. Review of Microbiology and Contact Lens
Spring. Credit, two hours.

631. Review of Ocular Motility
Spring. Credit, one hour.

635a and b. Clinical Practicum: Photography
Fall. Credit, one hour. Spring. Credit, one hour.

640. Diagnostic Procedures Review
Summer. Credit, one hour.

645. Clinical Practicum: Motility
Fall. Credit, one hour.

650. General Medical Knowledge
Spring. Credit, one hour.

655. Clinical Practicum: Glaucoma
Fall. Credit, one hour.

660. Ancillary Testing Review
Summer. Credit, one hour.
Review of echography, photography, microbiology, and electrophysiology.

665a and b. Clinical Practicum: Contact Lenses
Fall. Credit, one hour. Spring. Credit, one hour.

670a, b, and c. Research Project I
Fall. Credit, five hours. Spring. Credit, five hours. Summer. Credit, ten hours.

680. Review of Eye Disease
Summer. Credit, one hour.

691. Clinical Research Methods
Fall. Credit, two hours.
Use the principles covered in 591 to perform clinical research, recruit qualified patients, collect patient data, and analyze and communicate findings orally and in writing.

695a and b. Clinical Practicum: Electrophysiology
Spring. Credit, one hour. Summer. Credit, one hour.

696. Clinical Practicum: Neuro-Ophthalmology
Spring. Credit, two hours.

697. Clinical Practicum: Echography
Summer. Credit, two hours.

MASTER OF MEDICAL SCIENCE DEGREE FOR RETURNING GRADUATES

Graduates of the program in orthoptics and ophthalmic technology at Emory University or an equivalent institution can apply to resume their studies in order to obtain a master of medical science degree for ophthalmic technologists.

The master of medical science degree curriculum for returning graduates is composed of didactic, clinical, and research project development and presentation to be completed during two academic semesters. Specific didactic lectures and clinical rotations will be offered to update clinical skills and to aid the student in the development of a research project which will be presented to the research project committee for oral defense and also to be submitted for publication.

Admission Requirements

1. The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree.

2. The applicant must be actively certified (by JCAHPO) as an ophthalmic medical technologist.

3. The applicant must have attended and successfully completed a two-year accredited program in ophthalmic technology.

4. The applicant must have the recommendation of the program director or department chairman of his/her technology program.

5. All applicants will be admitted only with the recommendation of the admissions committee and the completion of the personal interview process.

6. Satisfactory completion of the verbal, quantitative, and analytic sections of the GRE (institutional code 5196).

Application materials must be submitted two months prior to the date of intended matriculation. Interviews with program faculty must be arranged prior to date of intended matriculation.

Degree Requirements

1. A minimum residence of two semesters in the masters of medical science program in ophthalmic technology.

2. Enrollment from matriculation to graduation.

3. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of twenty-five semester hours of instruction to include six credit hours of didactic course work, four credit hours of clinical practicum, and fifteen credit hours of research project.

4. Satisfactory completion of all courses with an overall average of B or higher.

5. Satisfactory completion of a special research project with an oral presentation to the research project committee.

Required Courses

601. Grand Rounds and Seminar
Fall. Credit, one hour.
Students will attend weekly grand rounds and Wednesday research seminars and maintain a journal of new terminology, case presentation techniques, and research methods.

602. Grand Rounds and Seminar
Spring. Credit, one hour.
Continuation of 601.

670a. Research Project I
Fall. Credit, five hours..

670b. Research Project II
Spring. Credit, ten hours.

691a. Clinical Research Methods I
Fall. Credit, two hours.
Development of a research project by writing a study protocol, developing a consent form, and submission to the internal review board for approval.

691b. Clinical Research Methods II
Spring. Credit, two hours.
Use the principles covered in 691a to perform clinical research. Recruit qualified patients, collect patient data, and analyze and communicate findings orally and in writing.

693. Clinical Elective/Specialization
Fall. Credit, four hours.
The student will select an area of subspecialty or interest and develop specialized clinical skills and improve patient examination techniques.

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