MWU Board Approves New Optometry Program for Glendale

In the U.S. today, more than half of all people wear glass or contacts. By 2015, that number is projected to increase to 90% for Americans 45 years of age and older, and demand will increase for vision care for age-related eye diseases.

To address this need in Arizona, the Midwestern University Board of Trustees recently approved the development of a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) program on the Glendale Campus. The new program, slated to open in Fall 2009, will be the only optometry program in the state, and only one of 18 in the country. With many medically-underserved rural areas and an aging population, Arizonans will require additional optometrists to provide both routine and corrective eye care. MWU's new program plans to graduate 50 per year.

Optometrists are licensed to examine, diagnose, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the eye such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. Treatments that optometrists may provide include prescrptions for glasses, contact lenses, and low vision rehabilitation, as well as performing minor procedures.

The new four-year program at MWU will provide students with a scientific foundation in the basic and visual sciences, the application of scientific principles to the diagnosis and management of eye disorders, and extensive patient care experiences under the supervision of expert optometrist faculty members.

The University plans to open and operate an optometry clinic by 2009, which will complement current medical practices in the Midwestern University Clinic. All of MWU's clinic practices serve as extensions to its academic programs, with clinicians providing instruction in the classroom as well as quality patient care in the Clinic.

MWU will work closely with optometrists in Arizona to ensure the highest-quality educational experiences for optometry students and optometry residents. To that end, the University will be forming an advisory committee comprised of optometrists.