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Enhancing Ophthalmology Education in Medical Schools: Learned Lessons from Medical-Optometry Interprofessional
Kareena Chawla1, Taline Nazarian1, Lauren Fine1
1Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328 USA.
Medical Science Educator
|May 25, 2026
Summary
Medical schools are enhancing ophthalmology education through interprofessional training. This collaboration between medical and optometry students improves ocular skills and understanding of vision care, especially where ophthalmology programs are limited.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Ophthalmology
- Interprofessional Education
Background:
- Ophthalmology education in U.S. medical schools has declined.
- Vision-related complaints are common in clinical practice.
- There's a need to integrate ophthalmic training into medical curricula.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the decline in medical school ophthalmology education.
- To present a framework for enhancing ophthalmic education in medical schools.
- To offer a feasible model for institutions lacking ophthalmology departments.
Main Methods:
- Implemented an interprofessional education initiative.
- Collaborated between medical and optometry colleges.
- Combined didactic instruction with hands-on clinical skills training.
Main Results:
- Medical and optometry students practiced ocular examination techniques.
- Students gained insight into the scope of optometry.
- Developed a collaborative learning environment.
Conclusions:
- The initiative provides a framework for improving ophthalmology education in medical schools.
- This model is valuable for institutions without dedicated ophthalmology programs.
- Further formal evaluation is ongoing to assess the intervention's impact.
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