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STUDENT INFORMATION

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Academic and clinical departments

Ophthalmology

The teaching of ophthalmology is interdisciplinary and takes place throughout the medical school curriculum. Faculty teach ophthalmology technique and the art of eye examination during introduction to patient care courses in the first year. An introduction to general ophthalmology also is provided to second-year students. Third- and fourth-year students may gain further experience during an elective rotation in ophthalmology. During this four-week elective, students attend lectures and observe surgeries.

Research is a major thrust of the department, encompassing clinical and basic sciences. The second floor of the Mason Eye Institute at University Hospital and Clinics is devoted to research. Research interests include: the effect of laser procedures on the cornea; treatment of ischemic optic neuropathy; determining the mechanisms underlying age-related retinal degeneration; determining the biochemical defect responsible for Batten's disease, a heredity lycosomal storage disease; investigating the mechanisms that result in cataract formation in older adults; studying how proteins are modified in the lens with aging; and investigating the role of site-specific lens proteases and peptide hydrolases.

Students help ophthalmology residents diagnose and care for patients. About 1,700 patients a month are treated in the clinic. Ophthalmologists treat patients with refractive disorders, glaucoma, cataracts, diseases of the retina and cornea, neuro-ophthalmologic disorders, ocullo plastic problems and children's eye diseases. An argon-krypton laser is used to repair complications caused by diabetes and other retinal disorders. A YAG laser is used to improve vision after cataract surgery and to treat glaucoma. The department recently acquired a holmium/excimer laser, which is used for corneal sculpting, refractive surgery and treating glaucoma. Surgery is performed at University Hospital, the hospital's SameDay Surgery Center and Truman Veterans Hospital.

Ophthalmology course descriptions

/dophthalmology.shtml updated 6/29/05