Illinois College of Optometry

The Illinois College of Optometry is a 4-year private optometry college located in Chicago, Illinois. Graduating approximately 160 optometrists a year, it is the largest optometry college in the United States and is the oldest continually operating educational facility dedicated solely to the teaching of optometrists. The College complex incorporates more than 366,000 square feet including an electronically enhanced lecture center, library, computerized clinical learning equipment, and recreational & living facilities.

The Shepard Library contains a comprehensive collection of books, periodicals, CD-ROM's, slides and videocassettes relating to the visual sciences and ocular & general health. Leisure reading materials are also available in the form of fiction books and general interest magazines. The Library also provides a haven for studying, with its central skylight, large windows, enclosed courtyard, numerous group-study rooms, comfortable seating and study carrels. The Learning Resource Center is also equipped with computer stations. These computers provide connections to the Library's online catalog; VisionCite, an index database for articles in the vision sciences dating back almost two decades; high-speed internet connections; laser printers & scanners; optometric practice management software; and Microsoft Office Suite. In addition, the LRC houses a multimedia room with VCR's and slide viewers for videocassettes and clinical slides.

The Illinois Eye Institute is the principal clinical training facility for ICO students and is located adjacent to the College. In addition to primary eye care, a full spectrum of sub-specialty care is available including glaucoma, retina-vitreous, neuro-ophthalmic disorders, cornea-external disease, orbit-oculoplastics, pediatrics/strabismus-amblyopia and low vision rehabilitation. The IEI serves as a center for clinical research involving eye and vision problems including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cornea and contact lenses, and pediatric eye disorders.

The Residential Complex (RC) is a secure student residence complex, consisting of three floors of one and two bedroom suites with the fourth floor composed of one, two, and three bedroom apartments. All accommodations are fully furnished and a comprehensive meal plan is available through Food Services. Within the complex are meeting rooms, a lobby, study & social lounges, laundry facilities, a sun deck, a computer center with high-speed Internet access, recreation area with Ping-Pong, billiards and foosball, and a patio complete with a gas barbecue.

The student population consists primarily of students from Chicago, Illinois and surrounding states (Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana) as well as a significant group of Canadians.

The Illinois College of Optometry awards the degrees of Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) and Bachelor of Science in Visual Science (BSVS). The College also offers a joint program with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Chicago to obtain an O.D. Degree and a Master of Science (M.S.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. In addition, the college also offers a joint program with the Illinois Institute of Technology, where a student may obtain a BS in biology from IIT and an O.D. degree from the Illinois College of Optometry.

External link

 * Illinois College of Optometry