SUNY College of Optometry

More than a half century ago a group of dedicated optometrists and benefactors came together to create an institution that would support optometric education, vision science research and extend quality vision care to all New Yorkers and the surrounding community. The State University of New York College of Optometry evolved from this mission.

Since we opened our doors to our first class of students in 1971, the College has grown to become one of the leading optometric education and vision research centers in the world. The College houses the University Eye Center—one of the largest outpatient vision care clinics in the country—and engages in cutting edge research that is helping to shape the future of optometric care.

The State University of New York State College of Optometry, founded in 1971 by legislative act, is dedicated to the education of optometrists, to the advancement of eye and vision care through research and graduate education and to the care of communities through the provision of comprehensive visual health services. The College is a Center of Excellence within the State University of New York (SUNY) system and is the only institution of its kind in New York State and the surrounding region. The College of Optometry attracts highly talented students with leadership potential, interested in optometry and in the health sciences, from across North America and abroad. Doctors of Optometry, as primary eye care practitioners, provide approximately two-thirds of all eye care in the country and are prepared to meet the growing needs of the public.

The College’s academic, professional and research programs are characterized by innovation, defined by their impact and are supported by a faculty of high quality and dedication. As an urban campus, the College strongly embraces its public service mission of clinical care by providing routine, medical and specialized eye care services to tens of thousands of patients each year. The University Eye Center (UEC), the College’s patient care facility, sees nearly 75,000 patient visits each year. In addition to primary eyecare, the UEC is well known for its unique clinical services including traumatic brain injury, infant vision, pediatrics, visually-related learning disabilities, vision rehabilitation, ocular disease and special testing, vision therapy, specialty contact lenses and laser refractive surgery. Moreover, there is an extensive array of clinical satellites and extramural programs which further broaden the scope and diversity of the patient population, enhancing the clinical experience of our students and extending our reach to underserved populations. The University Eye Center is a unique resource for the New York metropolitan area and the nation.

A hallmark of the SUNY College of Optometry is its commitment to discovery and to leading the advancement of vision care through research. The College offers MS and PhD graduate degree programs and basic and clinical science research is conducted by members of our faculty and professional staff associated with the College’s Schnurmacher Institute for Vision Research. There are numerous opportunities for students to be involved in scholarly activities during their time at the College.

New York City, often referred to as the greatest city in the world, presents students with an unparalleled opportunity to grow intellectually and culturally given the range of resources found in the greater metropolitan area. The SUNY College of Optometry is one of the finest institutions of its kind in the nation. We welcome students of talent and promise, and invite you to visit and investigate further SUNY’s role in your future.

The State University of New York College of Optometry excels, innovates and leads in optometry and vision science by:

• Developing outstanding optometrists and vision scientists.
• Making new discoveries that advance vision science and patient care.
• Improving patients’ lives by providing exceptional general and specialized optometric care.
• Enhancing public health through education and service to a broad range of communities.

The SUNY College of Optometry offers students an outstanding optometric education and clinical experience in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Our Doctor of Optometry (OD) program, as well as our MS and PhD programs in Vision Science, are taught by outstanding faculty at our state-of-the-art campus in Midtown Manhattan. The University Eye Center, our on-campus patient-care facility, sees over 70,000 patient visits a year in multiple clinical services, including primary care, infant and pediatric care, vision rehabilitation, ocular disease and imaging, specialty contact lenses, traumatic brain injury and more.

Directed by the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Office of Student Affairs complements the academic and professional mission of the College with the enhancement of student learning and professional development being the primary goal of its programs and services.

The Office of Student Affairs is responsible for student recruitment and admissions, financial aid, student registration and records, personal and academic counseling as well as a wide range of student activities and initiatives. The Office of Student Affairs further serves as a center of advocacy for students in all areas of student life, both in- and outside of the academic and clinical curriculum. Additional resources available to students from Student Affairs include career planning and placement, student leadership opportunities, involvement in organized optometry and housing referrals to name a few.