Why are there only two optometry schools in Canada(with one being french) and 17 optometry schools i

Discussion in 'Optometry Archives' started by Nelly_9834, Aug 29, 2005.

  1. Nelly_9834

    Nelly_9834 Guest

    Does anyone find that odd? This is puts on alot of nuisance to
    Canadians who want to study optometry. It will cost them more money to
    study optometry school in America than in Canada, which has only one
    english optometry program.
     
    Nelly_9834, Aug 29, 2005
    #1
  2. Yes, I find that odd too. Admission into optometry is obviously quite
    competitive around here.
     
    silverblue001, Aug 29, 2005
    #2
  3. The answer, in essence, is that Optometry is a uniquely "American"
    profession, at least back in its infancy. Ophthalmology dates back to
    the earliest days of the medical profession, as ray diagrams and
    spectacle lenses were among the works of Da Vinci. According to the
    the classic text "The Optometric Profession" by Hirsch & Wick
    (1968), the profession of optometry in the US started in 1901, and the
    first practicing optometrists were recognized as "optometrists" after
    completing a two week course. The course of study grew in just 65
    years from 2 weeks to 6 months, then one year, then two years, then
    three, then four, then 5, then six...and in most states it is now
    eight. The optometric craft that was practiced by refracting opticians
    in Euroipe became a profession when it came to the states.

    To read a 40 year old text like Hirsch & Wicks is like opening a
    fascinating time capsule that can't help but make the reader reflect on
    the fundamental differences in philosophy that are taught to
    ophthalmology residents versus optometry students. But, that's a lot
    of other threads, eh? ;)
     
    doctor_my_eye, Aug 29, 2005
    #3
  4. Nelly_9834

    Mark A Guest

    That doesn't sound like much of an explanation to me.

    How about the fact that the US has 9.2 times the population of Canada, and
    has 8.5 times as many optometry schools.
     
    Mark A, Aug 29, 2005
    #4
  5. O.K. Yours is much better than mine.
     
    doctor_my_eye, Aug 29, 2005
    #5
  6. Nelly_9834

    RM Guest

    Well, the population ratio between Canada and the US is about 1:10 I think
    (?). If that's true then the per capita ratios are about the same. If only
    one of the two schools in Canada is english speaking, then perhaps that
    throws the ratio off some.

    Admission to optometry schools in the US is quite competitive as well.
     
    RM, Aug 29, 2005
    #6
  7. Actually, for a country with a population of around 33 million, 2
    schools of optometry is about right, assuming they each graduate about
    50 new o.d.s every year, assuming each o.d. can do about 20 exams per
    day, and assuming the average person needs an exam every 2 years or so.
    Obviously, if they need more frequent exams, or the o.d.s want fewer
    exams per day, or longer vacations, etc., you would have to adjust class
    size accordingly...

    w.stacy, o.d.
     
    William Stacy, Aug 29, 2005
    #7
  8. Nelly_9834

    Dennis Guest

    The program at McGill University (a top notch english & french medical
    school) is in french only.

    The University of Waterloo, Ontario (more known for having one of the top
    three computer programs in North America, as well as Canada's top
    engineering school) is the only english language program in Canada.
    According to their web site, they are currently accepting 75 students per
    year, and will be increasing to 90 per year.

    http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/prospective/fastfacts.html

    Their faculty was across the road from my residence 30 years ago during
    my brief sojurn at U of Waterloo.

    Dennis
     
    Dennis, Aug 29, 2005
    #8
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.