Are graduate programs in physiological optics fulfilling their original purpose?

Change has affected physiological optics graduate programs' fulfillment of their original purpose of providing faculty for the schools and colleges of optometry. Relevant change has been divided into two categories: 1) change in optometry and optometric education, and 2) change in the characteristics of students opting for graduate study. The answer to the question posed is that these programs are still preparing faculty for academic careers, but not in the numbers they once did. A few consequences and options are considered.