Mission

The mission of the Brooke Army Medical Center Residency in Primary Care Optometry is to provide advanced clinical training for military optometrists, with emphasis in ocular disease, vision rehabilitation, and primary care, allowing residents, upon completion of the program, greater autonomy and increased professional capacity for managing a diverse and complex patient population.

Vision

Our vision is to develop highly skilled and compassionate optometrists who excel in primary eye care and ocular disease management. We aim to foster clinical excellence, critical thinking, and a commitment of lifelong learning, preparing our residents to be leaders in the optometric field. Through rigorous training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a dedication to service, we strive to enhance the eye health and vision care of the military community and beyond.

Aims

The goals of the program include the following:

• Goal A: Provide appropriately supervised clinical educational experiences with emphasis on ocular disease and trauma, medical/therapeutic contact lens and prosthetic device fittings, and primary vision and eye health care.
• Goal B: Stimulate scholarly development in the residents.
• Goal C: Stimulate a commitment to professional growth and service in the resident.
• Goal D: Facilitate experiences that are unique to the military optometrist. Participate in at least one military unique experience during the residency program, such as special trauma courses or opportunities to deliver eye care in an austere environment.

Morning Lectures

The resident has an open invitation to attend virtual lectures that are conducted for the ophthalmology residents. The optometry resident should preview the various topics that are presented each week and attend those that are appropriate for the aims of this residency.

Grand Rounds

The optometry resident will be a guest of the Ophthalmology Service at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio each Friday morning. Additionally, the resident will have opportunities to participate in seminars and workshops hosted at UIW and the BAMC Optometry Department.

Case Review

The optometry resident will lead a case review discussion presented by the optometry externs. The resident and optometry staff conduct a question/answer session with the students to stimulate academic growth.

Sick Call

Each morning the resident will work at the Troop Medical Optometry Clinic supporting a walk-in clinic. During this time, the resident evaluates and treats acute ocular conditions such as injuries and infections. In addition, military physicals, safety glass exams, military entrance specialty exams and routine eye exams may present to the clinic for evaluation.

• Brian Injury Clinic
• Low Vision Clinic
• Glaucoma Clinic
• Warfighter Refractive Surgery Clinic
• Keratoconus Clinic
• Electrodiagnostic Clinic
• Polytrauma Clinic
• Rheumatology Service
• Emergency Medicine
• Vibrant Works (Previously Lighthouse for the Blind)

There are no designated elective rotations at this time but if there is an area of ultrasound you are particularly interested in, we will work with you to create a rotation.

Combat Casualty Care Course

This exposure to medical care beyond the scope of normal optometry introduces the optometrist to other members of the medical community and prepares the optometrist for applying his skills in an austere environment.

Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support

As the military optometrist may be called to assist in the care of patients on the battlefield, PHTLS training may be a valuable adjunct to normal optometric skills.

Military Medical Humanitarian Assistance Course

The MMHAC was created by the Department of Pediatrics at USUHS in 1998 with the explicit goal of providing training for military primary care providers in preparing for and executing appropriate medical care to civilian populations in the austere health emergency setting. This two-day course focuses on understanding the unique health environment and recognizing and managing those conditions consistently associated with the most vulnerable populations (primarily children) in these settings: diarrhea and dehydration, malnutrition, epidemic measles, malaria, and respiratory infections. Course scenarios focus on the role that U.S. military medical assets would likely play as early responders to a humanitarian emergency with limited medical resources.

NSUOCO Ophthalmic Procedures Course

Hands-on training in the latest ophthalmic procedures for eye doctors is available through Northeastern State University’s Oklahoma College of Optometry, a nationwide leader in such advanced optometry techniques. The 32-hour course covers laser procedures, injections around the eye, eyelid lump and bump removal, and other various office-based ophthalmic procedures.

GPLI Cornea and Contact Lens Resident Symposium

A three-day, predominantly workshop-based specialty contact lens program accompanied by 12 hours of reordered lectures.

USUHS Ocular Trauma Course & Tri-Service Ocular Trauma and Surgery Lab

This week-long event is held in conjunction with the USUHS ocular trauma course, which was developed for uniformed optometrists to maintain the skills necessary for supporting forward operating forces. The course is centered around managing ocular trauma with comprehensive didactics and extensive hands-on training.

Residents can attend any of the following MHS leadership courses during residency: 

• USUHS MedXellence Course 
• Joint Medical Executive Skills Institute Healthcare Management Course:This course is a Tri-Service event designed for first time clinical supervisors. The course provides them with the administrative tools to successfully manage their clinical areas.
• Joint Medical Executive Skills Institute Intermediate Executive Skills Course: provides education and training on leadership and management skills. These skills are necessary to successfully serve in an intermediate-level leadership position within a DHA medical treatment facility. The course is designed to facilitate attainment of selected Joint Medical Executive Skills core competencies as identified by a Tri-Service review board of MHS senior leaders.

Networking Opportunities

Being part of organizations like AFOS, ATOPS, SCA, AAO Fellowship, and attending military optometry conferences helps residents build a professional network within the military optometry community. Residents are required to hold memberships and actively participate in at least two professional organizations while in residency.

CE Courses

The program supports participation in continuing education courses, which are crucial for maintaining licensure and staying current with advancements in optometry.

Workshops and Seminars

Opportunities to attend or even host educational seminars on new technologies, treatment methods, or military-specific eye care.

Professional Conferences

Attendance and presentations at meetings like the American Academy of Optometry or the Armed Forces Optometric Society are encouraged and supported.

• Audie Murphy Memorial VA Hospital (Polytrauma Clinic)
• UIW-RSO Datapoint Clinic
• Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center (multiple clinics)
• BAMC Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service
• BAMC Center for the Intrepid
• Department of Ophthalmology at UT Health San Antonio

Application Materials and Procedures

This program is only available to Active-Duty Army (67F) Optometrists through the Long Term Health Education and Training Program. Each year, the Army publishes the application process in the LTHET message, which becomes widely disseminated to all Army Optometrists by the Army Optometry Consultant. 

Applicants apply approximately 18 months prior to the expected residency start date. Working with the Army Optometry Consultant and Human Resource Command, the officer applies and selected by a board to attend the residency. 

The application involves a letter of intent, three letters of recommendation, and an optometry school academic transcript. 

Selection Procedure and Admission Criteria

Since the program is only available to Active Duty Army (67F) Optometrists, the BAMC Residency in Primary Care Optometry does not participate in ORMatch. All eligible applications are reviewed and a board of Army officers at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command selects residents. Decisions are made based on both academic and military records. The names of the selectees are published in June one year prior to the residency start date. 

Admission Criteria

1. Possess a Doctor of Optometry degree from a school or college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (by starting date).
2. Pursue a full and unrestricted optometry license in any US state by starting date (and obtain within one year)
3. Have a competitive GPA
4. Successfully complete Parts I and II of the NBEO examinations (successfully complete Part III within one year)
5. Submit completed U.S. Army application materials
6. Be on U.S. Army active-duty status.

Program graduates meet the requirements for candidacy for Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. Candidacy culminates with an oral exam that is offered annually at the AAO meeting. Details can be found on the AAO website.

To become board certified by the American Board of Optometry, applicants are eligible to take the 160 questions exam following graduation. To be eligible to take the board certification exams, graduates must complete all pre-requisites required by either the American Academy of Optometry or the American Board of Optometry.

Clinical Instruction

Residents can mentor and teach optometry students and junior residents during patient care. This hands-on experience allows them to demonstrate clinical procedures, share diagnostic reasoning, and provide feedback.

Didactic Lectures

Residents are encouraged to develop and present lectures on various optometric topics. This helps them refine their public speaking skills and deepen their knowledge of the subject matter.

Case Presentations

Regular case presentations provide residents with the chance to discuss interesting or challenging cases with peers and faculty. This fosters a collaborative learning environment and enhances their ability to communicate complex information.

Workshops and Labs

Residents can lead workshops and practical labs, teaching skills such as slit lamp biomicroscopy, retinal imaging, and other diagnostic techniques.

Interdisciplinary Education

Opportunities to teach and learn from other healthcare professionals through interdisciplinary rounds and workshops to help residents appreciate the collaborative nature of patient care.

Community Outreach

Participating in Retiree Appreciation Day and similar community events allows residents to educate the public on eye health and preventive care, fostering a sense of service and community involvement.

Residents are often paired with senior optometrists who provide guidance on both clinical and military career progression.

These wellness initiatives are designed to support the overall well-being of residents, ensuring they remain healthy, balanced, and motivated throughout their training.

Mental Health Support

Access to mental health professionals for individual counseling sessions.

Physical Wellness

Multiple on-base gyms and fitness classes available to residents.

Nutritional Support

• Healthy Eating Programs: On-base access to wellness resources on nutrition and healthy eating habit available to residents.
• Nutritious Meal Options: Availability of healthy meal options in main campus dining facility (with delivery options available).

Work-Life Balance

• Flexible Friday Scheduling: Efforts to create flexible work schedules that allow residents to balance their professional and personal lives with one to two Friday afternoons a month blocked as “white space”.
• Time Off: Ensuring residents have 10 working days per academic year off to recharge and spend with family and friends.

Professional Development

Programs focused on developing leadership skills and resilience.

Peer Support

Opportunities to share experiences, challenges, and successes with fellow residents at UIW Residency Day, UIW Resident Luncheon, and national conferences. 

Educational Resources

Access to books, articles, and online resources focused on wellness and self-care.