Official websites use .mil
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
The resident's professional liability protection is covered by Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) under 28 US Code, Section 2679.
Full health coverage, regular military benefits, 30 days leave per year (15 days can be taken during the residency year).
2817 Rock Merritt Avenue Fort Liberty, NC 28310