As one of the first optometry schools to be integrated into an academic health center, the UAB School of Optometry offers courses within its Department of Optometry and Vision Science, in addition to courses in other UAB health science departments.
The four-year curriculum begins with an emphasis on basic science and vision science and transitions to clinical content. Students are exposed to patients early and their patient care responsibilities increase as each term passes. In fact, the final year of the curriculum is devoted exclusively to clinical rotations on and off campus. Externships are an integral part of the final year of the curriculum and ensure each student is exposed to diverse clinical experiences prior to graduation.
Course subjects include optics, neuroscience, gross anatomy, eye movements, public health optometry, glaucoma, pediatric optometry, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation, binocular vision and more. The UAB School of Optometry provides a vibrant, comprehensive and ever expanding curriculum reflective of the environment in which it is offered: a world class academic medical center.
The Doctor of Optometry degree prepares students for a career as a licensed optometrist. Licenses to practice optometry must be obtained for each state or province in which the practitioner renders care to patients. UAB’s well-rounded curriculum includes training on skills approved for optometrists outside the state of Alabama. Our graduates can expect to be well prepared to complete licensure exams outside the state and beyond.
In an effort to match the changing demands of the profession, the curriculum outlined below changes periodically.
Year 1
-
Fall
Course
NumberCourse Title
Instructor
Sem. Hrs
OBHS 111
Fundamentals in Dentistry and Optometry I
5
OPT 111
Introduction to Optometry
2
OPT 112
Geometric and Clinical Optics
5
VS 111
Ocular Anatomy
4
VS 112
Physiology of the Eye
4
VS 113
Biochemistry of the Eye
2
OBHS 112
Fundamentals in Dentistry and Optometry 2
5
-
Spring
Course
NumberCourse Title Instructor Sem. Hrs OBHS 121
Systems 1: Neuroscience Pittler 4 OBHS 122
Systems 2: Gross Anatomy Resuehr / Kadisha 2 OBHS 123
Systems 3: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Smith 3 OPT 121
Clinical Evaluation of the Visual System I West 1 OPT 122
Ocular Microbiology Khanal 1 OPT 124
Optometric Clinical Seminar 102 Steele .5 VS 121
Visual Optics Oechslin 5 VS 122
Visual Psychophysics Liu 3 -
Summer
Course
NumberCourse Title Instructor Sem. Hrs CLN 131
Clinical Rotation I (partial groups for each session)
1.5
OBHS 131
Systems 4: Renal (3 weeks) Smith 2 OPT 132
Clinical Evaluation of the Visual System II West 4 OPT 133
Clinical Ophthalmic Optics Gordon 1 OPT 134
Professional Communications Sims 1 VS 131
Neurobiology of the Visual System Gawne 2 VS 132
Eye Movements & Principles of Binocular Vision Oechslin / Quinet 4
Year 2
-
Fall
Course
NumberCourse Title Instructor Sem. Hrs OBHS 211 Systems 5: Gastrointestinal & Musculoskeletal/Skin Smith 4 CLN 211 Clinical Rotation II Call 1.5 CLN 212 Community Eye Care I Sims 1.5 OPT 213 Clinical Evaluation of the Visual System III Call 10 OPT 212 Ocular Pharmacology Turner 4 VS 211 Visual Perception Sincich 3 OBHS 212 Systems 6: Hematology & Endocrine Smith 3 -
Spring
Course
NumberCourse Title Instructor Sem. Hrs CLN 221 Clinical Rotation III Call 1 CLN 222 Community Eye Care II Sims 1.5 CLN 224 Primary Eye Care Clinic I (Spring B) Call .5 OPT 221 Clinical Evaluation of the Visual System IV Call 3 OPT 222 Diseases of the Anterior Segment Pate 5 OPT 224 Anomalies of Binocular Vision I Hopkins 3 OPT 225 Diseases of the Posterior Segment I Swanson 2 OPT 226 Clinicolegal Aspects of Optometry Spear 2 OPT 228 Public Health Optometry Gordon 2 OPT 516 Spanish for Eye Care Elective* Hirn / Montejo 1 OPT 600 Clinical Skills Lab (AIODP students only) Craig 1.5 OPT 601 AIODP Ocular Pharmacology (AIODP students only) Turner 4 OPT 2210 Business Fundamentals I Kaplan 1 OPT 2211 Optometric Clinical Seminar 202 Steele / Sims 1 *Elective
-
Summer
Course
NumberCourse Title Instructor Sem. Hrs OPT 231 Ophthalmic Imaging Brown 2 OPT 238 Systemic Pharmacology Logan / Turner / Ziemanski 2 CLN 231 Primary Eye Care Clinic II (Summer 1 or 2, both sessions 6 weeks) Call 4 CLN 232 Clinical Rotation IV: Optical Services/Vision Therapy Oeschlin 2 CLN 233 Community Eye Care III (Summer 1 or 2) Sims 1 OBHS 231 Integrated Human Physiology (AIODP students only) McNicholas 2
Year 3
-
Fall
Course
NumberCourse Title Instructor Sem. Hrs CLN 311 Primary Eye Care Clinic III Call 3 CLN 312 Clinical Rotation V, w VT Oechslin 2.5 CLN 313 Community Eye Care IV Sims 2 CLN 314 Special Clinical Rotation I Oechslin 1 OPT 311 Anomalies of Binocular Vision II Hopkins 4 OPT 312 Contact Lenses I Clore 3 OPT 313 Geriatric Optometry Swanson 1 OPT 314 Low Vision Maharrey 2 OPT 316 Glaucoma Ziemanski 2 OPT 318 Pediatric Optometry West / Onken 4 OPT 319 Diseases of the Posterior Segment II Swanson 2 -
Spring
Course
NumberCourse Title Instructor Sem. Hrs CLN 321 Primary Eye Care Clinic IV Call 2 CLN 322 Clinical Rotation VI, incl. Vision Therapy Oechslin 2.5 CLN 323 Community Eye Care V Sims 1 CLN 324 Special Clinical Rotation II Oechslin 1 OPT 321 Neuro-Optometry Swanson 2 OPT 322 Contact Lenses II Craig 2.5 OPT 323 Injections and Surgical Procedures Call 3 OPT 324 Business Fundamentals II Kaplan 1 OPT 325 Clinical Management of Vision Problems Rothstein 2 OPT 326 Ophthalmic Lasers Steele 1 OPT 328 Assessment of Systemic Diseases in Optometry Logan 3 OPT 515 Advanced Vision and Learning Elective* Oechslin 1 OPT 516 Spanish for Eye Care* Montejo / Hirn 1 *Elective
-
Summer
Course
NumberCourse Title Instructor Sem. Hrs CLN 331H Primary Eye Care Clinic V Call 2 CLN 332H Pediatric Optometry Clinic I Weise 2 CLN 333H Cornea & Contact Lens Clinic I Gordon 2 CLN 334H Ocular Disease & Low Vision Clinic I Swanson 2 CLN 335H Special Clinical Rotation III Oechslin 2 CLN 336 Externship I (Full semester site**) Turner 20 CLN 336H Externship I (Half semester site**) Turner 10
Year 4
-
Fall
Course
NumberCourse Title Instructor Sem. Hrs CLN 410 Primary Eye Care Clinic VI Call 4 CLN 411 Pediatric Optometry Clinic II Weise 4 CLN 412 Cornea & Contact Lens Clinic II Gordon 4 CLN 413 Ocular Disease & Low Vision Clinic II Swanson 4 CLN 414 Special Clinical Rotation IV Oechslin 4 CLN 415 Externship I or II Turner 20 OPT 514 Concepts of Practice Management Elective* Vaughn 1 *Elective
-
Spring
Course
NumberCourse Title Instructor Sem. Hrs CLN 420 Primary Eye Care Clinic VII Call 4 CLN 421 Pediatric Optometry Clinic III Weise 4 CLN 422 Cornea & Contact Lens Clinic III Gordon 4 CLN 423 Ocular Disease & Low Vision Clinic III Swanson 4 CLN 424 Special Clinical Rotation V Oechslin 4 CLN 426 Externship II Turner 20 OPT 515 Advanced Vision and Learning Elective* Oechslin 1 OPT 516 Spanish for Eye Care Elective* Hirn / Montejo 1 *Elective
Course Descriptions
| Course | Number | Description |
| Fundamentals I | OBHS 111 | The Fundamentals courses provide foundational knowledge in cellular and organ function including biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular biology, microbiology, histology, immunology, pathology and systemic pharmacology. |
| Fundamentals II | OBHS 112 | The Fundamentals courses provide foundational knowledge in cellular and organ function including biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular biology, microbiology, histology, immunology, pathology and systemic pharmacology. |
| Systems I: Neuroscience | OBHS 121 | This course provides a review of the structure and function of the nervous system including functional organization, pathways, sensory input, integration, and genetic and environmental mechanisms controlling development and response to injury or disease. |
| Systems II: Gross Anatomy | OBHS 122 | This course provides an overview of the head and neck anatomy. The didactic instruction is supplemented with cadaver lab dissection. |
| Systems III: Cardiovascular and Respiratory | OBHS 123 | This course provides an overview of the normal structure, function, physiology, pathology, and treatment including systemic pharmacology of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. |
| Systems IV: Renal | OBHS 131 | This course provides students with an overview of the normal structure, function, physiology, pathology, and treatment including systemic pharmacology of the renal and urinary systems. |
| Systems V: GI and Musculoskeletal/skin | OBHS 211 | This course provides students with an overview of the structure, function, physiology, disease states, pathophysiology, and pharmacological treatments for the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and integumentary systems. |
| Systems VI: Hematology and Endocrine | OBHS 212 | This course provides students with an overview of the structure, function, physiology, pathology, and pharmacological treatments for the endocrine and reproductive systems. This course also provides an overview of hematology and disease states of the blood. |
| Optometric Clinical Seminar Series | OPT 124 | This seminar series provides optometric clinical applications for systemic pathology related to Neuroscience and Cardio/pulmonary dysfunction in the spring of first year and GI/Musculoskeletal and Hematology/Endocrine in the fall of second year. |
| Intro to Optometry | OPT 111 | The Introduction to Optometry course in is designed to acquaint the student with the organization of optometry, the health care delivery system, and to provide a foundation of the evolution of the profession of optometry including its history, socio-economic, ethical, and legal elements. |
| Clinical Evaluation of the Visual System (CEVS) I | OPT 121 | CEVS is a methods and procedures course designed to teach mastery of the physical and didactic elements of a basic eye exam. This course will cover the integrity of the visual system and associated structures to confirm or rule out the presence of ocular or systemic disease. |
| CEVS II | OPT 132 | CEVS is a methods and procedures course designed to teach mastery of the physical and didactic elements of a basic eye exam. This course will cover the integrity of the visual system and associated structures to confirm or rule out the presence of ocular or systemic disease. |
| Professional Communications | OPT 134 | This course introduces foundational communication skills necessary for effective patient care including active listening, feedback, non-verbal interpreation, assertiveness, and effective writing. |
| CEVS III | OPT 213 | CEVS is a methods and procedures course designed to teach mastery of the physical and didactic elements of a basic eye exam. This course will cover the integrity of the visual system and associated structures to confirm or rule out the presence of ocular or systemic disease. |
| CEVS IV | OPT 221 | CEVS is a methods and procedures course designed to teach mastery of the physical and didactic elements of a basic eye exam. This course will cover the integrity of the visual system and associated structures to confirm or rule out the presence of ocular or systemic disease. |
| Optometric Clinical Seminar 2 | OPT 2211 | This course provides guidance for clinical thinking and reasoning in the examination of optometric patients including building examination content, developing differential diagnoses, determining appropriate follow up schedules and patient management plans with emphasis on refractive conditions. |
| Public Health | OPT 228 | This course emphasizes basic concepts and principles of public health that impact the practice of optometry. |
| Ophthalmic Imaging | OPT 231 | This course is designed to provide foundational knowledge and practical experience in the operation of ophthalmic imaging devices commonly used in clinical settings. |
| Contact Lenses I | OPT 312 | This course provides students with instruction in the physical and optical properties of soft and rigid contact lenses, the design and fitting philosophies of prescribing contact lenses, and contact lens care and management. |
| Geriatric Optometry | OPT 313 | This course provides a basis for comprehensive care of the older adult patient. |
| Low Vision | OPT 314 | This course is designed to teach key principles of low vision rehabilitation including epidemiology of visual impairment, low vision exam elements, device assessment and training, and interdisciplinary resources used to optimize visual function and enhance quality of life. |
| Pediatric Optometry | OPT 316 | This course is designed to provide students with tools and techniques for assessing children's visual and developmental needs, knowledge of common conditions affecting this population, and evidence-based management strategies for addressing the needs of pediatric patients. |
| Contact Lenses II | OPT 322 | This course provides students with instruction in more advanced contact lens topics including keratoconus, scleral and hybrid lenses, topographic applications in contact lens fitting, orthokeratology, and myopia management. |
| Ocular Pharmacology | OPT 212 | This course considers the classification and pharmacologic actions of currently employed ophthalmic drugs. Emphasis is placed on the clinical utilization of these drugs including indications, contraindications, dosages, and side effects for the diagnosis and management of ocular disorders. |
| Diseases of the Anterior Segment | OPT 222 | This course considers the epidemiology, clinicopathology, differential diagnosis and management of diseases of the anterior segment of the eye including disorders of the eyelids, lacrimal system, conjunctiva, cornea, episclera, sclera, uvea, iris, and crystalline lens. |
| Anomalies of Binocular Vision I | OPT 224 | This course provides instruction in the diagnosis and management of disorders of binocular vision including dysfunctions of the accommodative, vergence, and ocular motor systems. |
| Diseases of the Posterior Segment | OPT 225 | This course reviews the clinical anatomy of the posterior segment, as well as the pathophysiology, identification and management of peripheral retinal disorders, diabetes related disorders, age- related macular degeneration, and other macular disorders |
| Systemic Pharmacology | OPT 238 | This course integrates pertinent systemic pharmacology with clinical optometric practice emphasizing mechanisms of action, indications, and adverse effects of selected drug classes commonly encountered in optometry. |
| Anomalies of Binocular Vision II | OPT 311 | This course provides instruction in the diagnosis and management of amblyopia, comitant and incomitant strabismus including paralytic and restrictive deviations, and sensory adaptations including suppression and anomalous correspondence. |
| Glaucoma | OPT 316 | This course provides instruction in the basic science and clinical practice related to the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. The course prepares students for entry level practice and provides the basic competency necessary to understand disease mechanisms, interpret clinical diagnostic procedures, and manage the glaucoma patient using evidence-based strategies. |
| Diseases of the Posterior Segment II | OPT 319 | This course continues building on the content from the Diseases of the Posterior Segment I course with emphasis on macular disorders, retinal vascular disorders, myopia, trauma, hereditary retinal disorders, retinal tumors, and posterior uveitis including pediatric infectious disease. |
| Neuro-optometry | OPT 321 | This course provides an overview of the diagnosis and management of neurological disease affecting the eye, visual pathways, and oculomotor control systems. |
| Injections and Surgical Procedures | OPT 323 | This course will provide instruction on instrumentation and skills required for injections and minor surgical procedures as covered by the scope of primary-care optometric practice. This will include relevant OSHA regulations, asepsis, injections, suturing, and appropriate minor surgical procedures. |
| Clinical Management of Vision Problems | OPT 325 | This course utilizes a lecture-based classroom approach augmented by a case-based, problem-oriented laboratory learning to managing clinical conditions. The laboratory sessions utilize an interactive format facilitated by faculty and is designed to develop independent, self-directed learning and clinical decision-making skills. |
| Ophthalmic Lasers | OPT 326 | This course provides instruction in the fundamentals of ophthalmic lasers including Nd:YAG, CO2, Diode, and Excimer. The lectures and hands-on laboratories teach the technical skills required to perform laser surgical procedures including posterior capsulotomy, peripheral iridotomy and laser trabeculoplasty |
| Assessment of Systemic Disease in Optometry | OPT 328 | This course explores systemic diseases from a multidisciplinary perspective as they relate to the care of an optometric patient. Students will learn to recognize pertinent systemic diseases and carry out an appropriate work-up and referral. |
| Advanced Posterior Segment Evaluation | OPT 329 | This lab provides hands on experience with more advanced retinal examination skills building on the foundational fundus examination skills learned in the Clinical Evaluation of the Visual System course sequence. |
| Advanced Vision and Learning ELECTIVE | OPT 515 | This course provides advanced training in concepts related to vision perception, developmental vision, and vision related learning problems of children and adolescents. |
| Business Fundamentals I | OPT 2210 | This course equips students with the knowledge, skills, and strategic foundation needed to develop an individualized career plan and to pursue successful practice models. Students will examine modes of practice, business planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration, while also gaining essential non-clinical competencies such as human resources and patient experience. In addition, the course introduces key business and practice management concepts—including marketing, operations, and patient experience. |
| Clinicolegal Aspects of Optometry | OPT 226 | This course addresses legal issues that may arise while practicing Optometry. The course provides students with knowledge of relevant federal and state laws that apply to Optometry and how these apply to clinical practice. |
| Business Fundamentals II | OPT 324 | This course equips students with the knowledge, skills, and strategic foundation needed to develop an individualized career plan and to pursue successful practice models. Students will examine future trends in optometry, diversifying with specialty care, while also gaining essential non-clinical competencies such as coding and billing. In addition, the course introduces key business and practice management concepts—including business finance, optical management, and innovations in optometric practice models. |
| Spanish for Eye Care ELECTIVE | OPT 516 | This course is an interactive elective aimed at educating optometry students in provideing language-concordant healthcare for Spanish-speaking patients. |
| Concepts of Practice Management ELECTIVE | OPT 514 | This elective course provides a board room interactive discussion environment for fourth year students which builds on the current Business curriculum, providing additional entry level knowledge about running an optometric practice. |
| Clinical Rotation I | CLN 131 | This clinical course introduces 1st year students to the operations in the internal clinic. An objective check off list will be required and must be completed before the end of the term |
| Clinical Rotation II | CLN 211 | This clinical rotation provides students with an introduction to patient care at UAB Eye Care through observation and assistance with adult eye examinations in the Primary Care Clinical Services. |
| Community Eye Care I | CLN 212 | Second year students in this clinical rotation provide community based vision screenings for children and adults utilizing clinical skills learned in the Clinical Evaluation of the Visual System (CEVS) course sequence. |
| Clinical Rotation III | CLN 221 | This clinical rotation provides students with an introduction to patient care at UAB Eye Care through observation and assistance with adult eye examinations in the Primary Care Clinical Services. |
| Community Eye Care II | CLN 222 | Second year students in this clinical rotation provide community based vision screenings for children and adults utilizing clinical skills learned in the Clinical Evaluation of the Visual System (CEVS) course sequence. |
| Primary Eye Care I | CLN 224 | This clinical rotation provides students with appropriately supervised patient care experiences to help students become proficient in the examination, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of primary eye care patients and able to function independently in that same capacity. |
| Primary Eye Care II | CLN 231 | This clinical rotation provides students with appropriately supervised patient care experiences to help students become proficient in the examination, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of primary eye care patients and able to function independently in that same capacity. |
| Clinical Rotation IV | CLN 232 | This clinical rotation helps students become more proficient in the examination, diagnosis and clinical management of patients in Vision Therapy, Optical Services, Intake, and Imaging (Fall/Spring only). Students will also become familiar with special patient populations in an observatory/assistive role (Fall/Spring only) in Ocular Disease Service, Pediatric Service, and Cornea & Contact Lens Service as well as some of the many specialty rotations clinics, both internal and external. |
| Community Eye Care III | CLN 233 | During this clinical course, interns use basic tools to perform adult eye examinations with patient encounters at Health Department clinics, The Foundry, Lovelady Clinic, and other community clinics locally and in the Black Belt region of Alabama, as well as the United Ability of Birmingham LincPoint Campus. Students will continue to learn how to tailor examinations based on patient symptoms and signs. |
| Primary Eye Care III | CLN 311 | This clinical rotation provides students with appropriately supervised patient care experiences to help students become proficient in the examination, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of primary eye care patients and able to function independently in that same capacity. |
| Clinical Rotation V | CLN 312 | This clinical rotation helps students become more proficient in the examination, diagnosis and clinical management of patients in Vision Therapy, Optical Services, Intake, and Imaging (Fall/Spring only). Students will also become familiar with special patient populations in an observatory/assistive role (Fall/Spring only) in Ocular Disease Service, Pediatric Service, and Cornea & Contact Lens Service as well as some of the many specialty rotations clinics, both internal and external. |
| Community Eye Care IV | CLN 313 | During this clinical course, interns use basic tools to perform adult eye examinations with patient encounters at Health Department clinics, The Foundry, Lovelady Clinic, and other community clinics locally and in the Black Belt region of Alabama, as well as the United Ability of Birmingham LincPoint Campus. Students will continue to learn how to tailor examinations based on patient symptoms and signs. |
| Special Clinical Rotation I | CLN 314 | This course introduces the Special Rotations Clinics to the intern with a focus on how these clinics treat patients beyond the general eye exam and within special populations. Additionally, the online components will progressively develop reasoning in differential diagnosing. |
| Primary Eye Care IV | CLN 321 | This clinical rotation will provide students with appropriately supervised patient care experiences to help optometry students become proficient in the examination, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of primary eye care patients and able to function independently in that same capacity. |
| Clinical Rotation VI | CLN 322 | This clinical rotation helps students become more proficient in the examination, diagnosis and clinical management of patients in Vision Therapy, Optical Services, Intake, and Imaging (Fall/Spring only). Students will also become familiar with special patient populations in an observatory/assistive role (Fall/Spring only) in Ocular Disease Service, Pediatric Service, and Cornea & Contact Lens Service as well as some of the many specialty rotations clinics, both internal and external. |
| Community Eye Care V | CLN 323 | During this clinical course, interns will use basic tools to perform adult eye examinations with patient encounters at Health Department clinics, The Foundry, Lovelady Clinic, and other community clinics locally and in the Black Belt region of Alabama, as well as the United Ability of Birmingham LincPoint Campus. Students will continue to learn how to tailor examinations based on patient symptoms and signs. |
| Special Clinical Rotation II | CLN 324 | This course introduces the Special Rotations Clinics to the intern with a focus on how these clinics treat patients beyond the general eye exam and within special populations. Additionally, the online components will progressively develop reasoning in differential diagnosing. |
| Primary Eye Care V | CLN 331H | |
| Pediatric Optometry I | CLN 332H | Through direct patient care, guided education, and independent study in an academic clinical setting, the student will learn skills that help promote and protect the eye and visual health of children, as well as adults with binocular vision anomalies, and individuals with special needs or mild traumatic brain injury. |
| Cornea and Contact Lens I | CLN 333H | This clinical course provides interns with direct patient care experiences to teach the skills needed to achieve entry-level competence managing patients using all available contact lens technology. |
| Ocular Disease and Low Vision I | CLN 334H | This clinical course provides students with the appropriate background for the entry level optometric management of ocular disease through direct patient care experiences. |
| Special Clinic Rotation III | CLN 335H | This course introduces the Special Rotations Clinics to the intern with a focus on how these clinics treat patients beyond the general eye exam and within special populations. |
| Externship I | CLN 336 | This 4th year clinical rotation provides students with the opportunity to provide supervised comprehensive clinical care in approved hospital-based or multidisciplinary healthcare facilities as well as private practice clinics outside of UAB Eye Care. |
| Externship I (half summer) | CLN 336H | This 4th year clinical rotation provides students with the opportunity to provide supervised comprehensive clinical care in approved hospital-based or multidisciplinary healthcare facilities as well as private practice clinics outside of UAB Eye Care. |
| Primary Eye Care VI | CLN 410 | |
| Pediatric Optometry II | CLN 411 | Through direct patient care, guided education, and independent study in an academic clinical setting, the student will learn skills that help promote and protect the eye and visual health of children, as well as adults with binocular vision anomalies, and individuals with special needs or mild traumatic brain injury. |
| Cornea and Contact Lens II | CLN 412 | This clinical course provides interns with direct patient care experiences to teach the skills needed to achieve entry-level competence managing patients using all available contact lens technology. |
| Ocular Disease and Low Vision II | CLN 413 | This clinical course provides students with the appropriate background for the entry level optometric management of ocular disease through direct patient care experiences. |
| Special Clinical Rotation IV | CLN 414 | This course introduces the Special Rotations Clinics to the intern with a focus on how these clinics treat patients beyond the general eye exam and within special populations. Additionally, the online components will develop independent learning skills for future practice. |
| Externship I or II | CLN 415 | This 4th year clinical rotation provides students with the opportunity to provide supervised comprehensive clinical care in approved hospital-based or multidisciplinary healthcare facilities as well as private practice clinics outside of UAB Eye Care. |
| Primary Eye Care VII | CLN 420 | |
| Pediatric Optometry III | CLN 421 | Through direct patient care, guided education, and independent study in an academic clinical setting, the student will learn skills that help promote and protect the eye and visual health of children, as well as adults with binocular vision anomalies, and individuals with special needs or mild traumatic brain injury. |
| Cornea and Contact Lens III | CLN 422 | This clinical course provides interns with direct patient care experiences to teach the skills needed to achieve entry-level competence managing patients using all available contact lens technology. |
| Ocular Disease and Low Vision III | CLN 423 | This clinical course provides students with the appropriate background for the entry level optometric management of ocular disease through direct patient care experiences. |
| Special Clinical Rotation V | CLN 424 | This course introduces the Special Rotations Clinics to the intern with a focus on how these clinics treat patients beyond the general eye exam and within special populations. Additionally, the online components will develop independent learning skills for future practice. |
| Externship II | CLN 426 | This 4th year clinical rotation provides students with the opportunity to provide supervised comprehensive clinical care in approved hospital-based or multidisciplinary healthcare facilities as well as private practice clinics outside of UAB Eye Care. |