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Neuro-Optometry and Vision Rehabilitation Program

Mission

The mission of the Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC) Vision Rehabilitation (Brain Injury Rehabilitation) Residency Program is to provide advanced clinical training for military Optometrists in the diagnosis, treatment and vision rehabilitation of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) in a multidisciplinary hospital-based setting while enhancing traditional primary and acute eye care. In addition, the program strives to provide advanced levels of didactic and scholarly activities to prepare residents for leadership roles within the Optometric profession.

Program Overview

This 12-month program provides United States (U.S.) Army Optometrists with advanced clinical training in diagnosis, treatment and vision rehabilitation of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). This program is available to active duty Army Optometrists and recent graduates with an obligated commitment to the U.S. Army. Residents will be members of a hospital-based multi-disciplinary health care team. Emphasis is placed upon the interdisciplinary approach to assess and manage patients with oculomotor as well as ocular health conditions resulting from ABI.

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Program Curriculum

Program Emphasis Areas

Commitment to Professional Growth
• Attend at least one national conference (e.g., AAO, AOA, NORA, COVD or SECO)
• Join and maintain membership in at least two optometric organizations
• Initiate the requirements to become a fellow of one optometric organization (e.g., AAO, NORA, COVD)
Complete training unique to military Optometrists
• Attend one military training (e.g., Combat Casualty Care Course, Military Refractive Surgery Conference, Military Ophthalmology Review Course, TriService Vision Conservation Course)
• Attend WAMC-hosted Officer Professional Development (OPD) lectures and complete all WAMC required training for healthcare providers to comply with Joint Commission standards
Didactic Activities
1. Attend SUNY Friday Program (required attendance when visiting SUNY)
• Workshop (Public Speaking, Writing)
• Minor Presentations (9)
• Major Presentations (16)

2. WAMC
• Attend 35 hours of grand rounds and lectures presented at SUNY, WAMC, or professional meetings (e.g., Department of Optometry Journal Club presentations, weekly resident presentations at Salisbury VA Hospital (video teleconference), WAMC Graduate Medical Education lectures)
• Develop professional communication and enhance the Optometry's role in a multidisciplinary setting the resident will participate on five elective rotations (observational) at WAMC including, but not limited to: Clinical Pharmacy (e.g., Coumadin clinic, ICU ward, Internal Medicine and Family Medicine Rounds); Neurology; Radiology; Laboratory; Dermatology; Oral-maxillofacial; Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Center; Pediatric ophthalmology; Ophthalmic surgical procedures
• Complete readings of journal articles, textbooks, and electronic informational services assigned by the Residency Supervisor to learn and practice evidence based medicine
• Attend the WAMC Annual Research Symposium
• Attend Monthly DOPT Performance Improvement/Staff Meeting

3. Attend Local Training/Meetings:
• Maxillofacial Anatomy Lab (Methodist University)
• Thursday case reports (video-tele conference) from W.G. Heffner VAMC, Salisbury, NC
• North Carolina American Academy of Optometry lectures
• Local Ophthalmology/Optometry professional meetings
Resident Time Requirements
1. 70% of her/his clinical time providing assessment and vision rehabilitation to patients with ABI at the Intrepid Neuro-Optometry Clinic in a multidisciplinary setting within the Department of Brain Injury Medicine (e.g., neurology, neuropsychology, physical therapy, vestibular therapy, speech and language pathology).

20% of her/his clinical time at the WAMC Optometry Clinic in a primary and acute eye care setting evaluating and treating patients with a variety of ocular surface disease, trauma, ocular pathology, and secondary eye disease due to underlying systemic diseases or medications. The resident will gain triaging skills, critical thinking skills, hands-on clinical skills in the areas of acute, trauma and emergency eye care through the on-call service (inpatient and outpatient setting).
2. The resident will have a minimum of 1,200 diverse patient encounters, either alone (direct care) or in conjunction with another health care provider (observed or supervised) by the end of the residency year. These encounters will be comprised of patients with a variety of ABI-related visual disorders as well as a variety of ocular surface disease, trauma, ocular pathology, and secondary eye disease due to underlying systemic diseases or medications.
Each resident must have the following minimum number of ABI, primary or acute eye care patient encounters with each of the following primary vision diagnoses:
• Version deficits (i.e., pursuit, saccades, fixation): 150
• Vergence dysfunction: 150 • Accommodative dysfunction: 100
• Visual field defect: 40
• Anterior segment disease (e.g., blepharitis, dry eyes, corneal dystrophies, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, uveitis): 80 2
• Ocular trauma: 20
• Glaucoma/Glaucoma suspects workup: 30
• Retina/Optic nerve conditions (e.g., diabetic, hypertensive, optic nerve disorders, vascular occlusions, systemic medications side-effects, retinal holes, lattice degeneration): 30
Scholarly Activities
• Provide one minor presentation at SUNY (20 min presentation; Fall)
• Provide one major presentation at SUNY (50 min COPE approved lecture; Spring)
• Present at least one poster or lecture at a major optometric meeting (e.g., American Academy of Opthalmology (AAO), American Opometric Association (AOA), Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA), College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD))
• Publishable Quality Paper for a peer-reviewed optometric journal
• Lecture at NCAAO Annual Roger Cummings Resident Symposium (COPE approved)
• Provide at least 15 presentations or lectures to Department of Optometry (DOPT) and/or WAMC staff (e.g., Department of Optometry Journal Club presentations or staff meeting, weekly resident presentations at Salisbury VA Hospital (video-tele conference), rapid fire, WAMC Graduate Medical Education lectures)
• The resident will have the opportunity, based on interest, to participate in clinical research
• The resident will develop his/her clinical teaching skills by participating in the education and supervision of third and fourth year externs rotating through WAMC DOPT
• The resident will provide instruction and training on the diagnosis and treatment of ocular conditions to Family Medicine residents, Physician Assistant students, and other healthcare provider students rotating through DOPT

PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS
- Prerequisites
  Active duty Army Optometrists and recent graduates with obligated commitment to the U.S. Army through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) and/or Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). All eligible Army applicants may apply for the residency via the Long Term Health Education and Training (LTHET) message released each December by the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. Applicants apply approximately 18 months prior to the expected residency start date. See specific guideline from the Army.
- Educational Opportunities
  The residency program includes rotations through WAMC Department of Brain Injury Medicine specialty clinics (e.g., neurology, physical therapy, vestibular therapy, speech & language pathologist, neuropsychologist). The resident will also attend lectures/workshops on topics relating to ABI provided at WAMC, SUNY Optometry, and professional meetings. The resident will also attend Army courses specific to medical and optometric interest.
- Teaching Responsibilities
  Teaching skills are developed by participating in the clinical education of optometry externs from several optometry schools.
- Research Responsibilities
  Residents are required to present one minor and one major optometric lecture. The resident is required to write at least one paper of publishable quality by the end of the residency.
  Opportunities for research are available, if the resident desires, by either conducting his/her own research or actively participating as associate investigator for an on-going research study.
- Liability Protection
  The resident's professional liability protection is covered by Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) under 28 US Code, Section 2679.
- Benefits
  Full health coverage, regular military benefits, 30 days leave per year (15 days can be taken during the residency year).

2022 TRICARE Copayment Increase

Congress and the Department of Defense (DoD) worked together on these changes, which Congress passed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. These changes are part of a larger effort to generate discretionary savings for the DoD to fund improvements in military readiness and to modernize the TRICARE health benefit.

As of 1 January 2022, TRICARE pharmacy copayments will change for all beneficiaries, except active duty service members (ADSMs), dependent survivors of ADSMs, and medically retired service members and their dependents.

Copays for Tier 1 generic formulary drugs, Tier 2 brand-name formulary drugs, and Tier 3 non-formulary drugs are increasing at home delivery and retail points of service.The copayment increases for retail pharmacies and home delivery range from $1 to $8 depending on formulary status.

Military pharmacies remain the lowest cost pharmacy options for TRICARE beneficiaries, who have the option to get generic and brand-name drugs for $0 copayment.

New Copayments

Military Pharmacy Copayments

Beneficiaries can still fill their generic and brand-name prescriptions for $0 copayment at military pharmacies.
Non-formulary drugs may only be filled at a military pharmacy if a military provider prescribed the drug, or if the MTF-enrolled beneficiary was referred by the MTF to an outside provider.

Contact Us

Phone

Program Coordinator

910-643-2048

Email

Email the Department of Medical Education

Location

6th floor
2175 Rock Merritt Avenue
Fort Liberty, NC 28310

Don’t forget to keep your family’s information up to date in DEERS!

Program Length	12 Months
Start Date	1-Jul
Positions	1
Compensation	Military Pay
Hours Per Week	45
Accreditation	Fully accredited by ACOE
Application Deadline	ORMatch Deadline, Program does not use ORMatch
ORMatch	No
Professional Liability Insurance	Federal Tort

Academics

Academics

About Us

Neuro-Optometry and Vision Rehabilitation Program

Mission

Program Overview

Learn More

2022 TRICARE Copayment Increase

New Copayments

Military Pharmacy Copayments

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Program Coordinator

Email

Location

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