ASCO Revised Residency Titles and Descriptions to be Implemented for ORMatch 2021
When the 2021 ORMatch (Optometry Residency Match) application cycle opens on October 1 this year, there will be a new residency title structure, in addition to revised descriptions. These titles and descriptions were changed to help the profession work toward the recognition of advanced competencies, beyond entry-level clinical and didactic knowledge and skills.
The primary title or “Category” title is one of five that most accurately reflects the content of the majority of the program’s clinical and didactic curricula. If a substantial portion (≥ 30%) of the clinical and didactic curricula for the program is devoted to an area of emphasis, the program may choose to select up to two titles taken from the list of approved “Emphasis” titles.
For a list of the new Category and Emphasis Titles, please see below:
Category Titles (General):
Primary Care Optometry: At least 50% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the assessment and treatment of eye, vision and systemic conditions. This shall include the promotion of health maintenance and disease prevention.
Pediatric Optometry: At least 50% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the assessment and treatment of eye, vision and systemic conditions in the pediatric population.
Cornea and Contact Lenses: At least 50% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the diagnosis, management and treatment of conditions related to the cornea and advanced contact lens care.
Vision Rehabilitation: At least 50% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the recognition of ocular and neurological conditions that impact vision and function and the identification of management strategies including therapy, devices, training and interprofessional collaboration that promote independent living.
Ocular Disease: At least 50% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the diagnosis, management and treatment of ocular disease.
Emphasis Area Titles:
There are 16 “Emphasis Titles” that may be used as modifiers to the “Category Title.” The Emphasis Titles highlight significant differentiating elements within a residency program. Eleven emphasis areas are unique with the other five titles the same as the category titles.
Primary Care Optometry: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the assessment and treatment of eye, vision and systemic conditions. This shall include the promotion of health maintenance and disease prevention.
Pediatric Optometry: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the assessment and treatment of eye, vision and systemic conditions in the pediatric population.
Family Practice Optometry: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice broadly represented in general optometric care. The patient population will include an age range from pediatric to geriatrics.
Community Health Optometry: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to community based optometric care with an emphasis on public health, health care systems and cultural issues that impact care.
Geriatric Optometry: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the assessment and treatment of eye, vision and systemic conditions in the geriatric population.
Cornea and Contact Lenses: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the diagnosis, management and treatment of conditions related to the cornea and advanced contact lens care.
Ocular Disease: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the diagnosis, management and treatment of ocular disease.
Refractive and Ocular Surgery: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to refractive and ocular surgery.
Anterior Segment: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the diagnosis, management and treatment of diseases and conditions of the anterior segment.
Glaucoma: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the diagnosis, management and treatment of the glaucomas.
Retina: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the diagnosis, management and treatment of diseases of the posterior segment.
Neuro-Optometry: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the area of neuro-ophthalmic disease.
Vision Rehabilitation: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to the recognition of ocular and neurological conditions that impact vision and function and the identification of management strategies including therapy, devices, training and interprofessional collaboration that promote independent living.
Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to dysfunctions of the eye movement, accommodative, binocular and perceptual systems, reduced visual acuity and compromised visual fields.
Low Vision Rehabilitation: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curricula will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to low vision patients.
Brain Injury Rehabilitation: At least 30% of the clinical and didactic curriculum will be devoted to topics and practice relevant to assessment, management and interdisciplinary rehabilitation of patients with brain injury and neurologic disease.
On a related note, the ASCO Board of Directors passed a motion at their June meeting that ASCO will create a mechanism for emphasis areas to apply for “Category: Subspecialty” status. This process will be discussed and developed in 2020-2021.
Any questions, please contact Paige Pence, Director of Student and Residency Affairs at ppence@opted.org.