The Adams Center for Clinical Learning offers students a unique didactic and clinical experience by providing a two-way audio-visual link to the Center for Advanced Ophthalmic Care at the Illinois Eye Institute. Cutting-edge technology such as computerized digital imaging, full motion video, presentation managers, photographic slide capabilities and recording potential make the Adams Center the “gold standard” for incorporating the latest in educational technology into optometric education.

With a vision for the future, ICO’s Eyepod raises the bar of optometric teaching by combining the latest technology with student supports into one enhanced learning center. The Eyepod is a state-of-the-art facility that offers students:

• 38 ophthalmic teaching lanes with specialized lighting in two Eye Labs
• Individual assessment rooms for clinical testing
• 5 teaching laboratories with separate preparation space
• 6 research laboratories
• Student life areas with views of downtown Chicago

The Illinois Eye Institute – located right onsite at ICO – offers training that students will not find anywhere else in the world. The IEI provides students with the patient volume, complexity and diverse ophthalmic experiences that are integral to becoming a well-rounded clinician. With 61 fully equipped examination lanes, the IEI is one of the largest providers of vision and eye care services in the United States, offering students access to more than 90,000 patient visits each year.

All ICO students rotate through primary eye care at the IEI, as well as optometric specialty service areas, including advanced ophthalmic care, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation and pediatrics/binocular vision. In the first year, students enter the Patient Advocate Program and assist patients in making their way through the vast IEI. Second-year students expand their role through rotations in the IEI Community Screening Program and Eyewear Center. Students take on more responsibility for patient care sessions in the third year, while also continuing the didactic program. The entire fourth year comprises hands-on patient care at IEI and rotations through affiliated externship sites. We believe training in various practice settings helps develop a primary care optometrist that can master any type of clinical environment.

In addition to the IEI, students have clinical opportunities in the Eyepod and Adams Center for Clinical Learning. They also are exposed to a wide variety of health care delivery systems through ICO's affiliation with the University of Chicago Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

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ICO has more than 150 affiliated clinical sites in 47 states and four countries (Australia, Canada, China and the United Arab Emirates). Besides choosing the location, fourth-year students also can choose from a variety of settings, including OD/MD practices, private and group practices, military sites, Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals, community health centers and Indian health service clinics. Students are required to spend one quarter at the Illinois Eye Institute and two quarters at externship sites. On average, students encounter 1,600 total patient visits during their experience at ICO.

The Illinois College of Optometry provides a comprehensive educational experience that prepares students for the technologies and modes of practice of tomorrow. The curriculum at ICO is known to be rigorous, but has been designed to give students early patient care opportunities. The curriculum includes:

• Basic Human Sciences
• Professional Ethics
• Interpersonal Skills
• Primary Eye Care
• Cornea / Contact Lenses
• Pediatrics / Binocular Vision
• Low Vision Rehabilitation
• Ocular Disease
• Pharmacology
• Ophthalmic Management of Medical Conditions
• Ophthalmic Optics
• Clinical Medicine
• Physical Examination
• Evidence-Based Healthcare
• Optometric Use of Injectable Agents

While ICO is known for providing a top-notch clinical experience, we also provide students a very thorough and broad foundation in the basic sciences. The basic biomedical courses are concentrated in the first two years of the program and are intended to lay the groundwork for students to master the wide range of skills necessary to provide full scope primary eye care. These courses include interactive laboratories and cover optics, ocular anatomy and physiology, visual perception, neuroanatomy, sensory aspects of vision, color vision, as well as human anatomy, immunology, and pharmacology.

Moving into the clinical program, students gain high-quality experiences in primary eyecare, pediatric optometry, binocular vision, low vision rehabilitation, contact lenses, emergency care and ocular disease. Overall, the clinical program is student-centered, beginning in the lecture-laboratory setting and advancing to a one-to-one relationship between student and patient. As the student progresses through the professional program, patient contact increases.

Clinical rotations at the Illinois Eye Institute and at more than 150 affiliated clinical sites provide the volume and variety of patient care experiences needed for the development of a well-rounded clinician.

Curriculum
Note: Elective courses are offered each year

1st Year

• Basic science classroom and laboratory curriculum
• Clinical observations in the Primary Eyecare Service of the Illinois Eye Institute
• Private Practice Clerkship
• Patient Advocate Program

2nd Year

• Clinical science classroom and laboratory curriculum
• Clinical training: observations, evaluations, dispensing and screenings
• Patient Advocate Program
• Early patient care experiences in Primary Eyecare

3rd Year

• Diagnosis and treatment of advanced ocular systemic diseases
• Weekly patient care in the Primary Eyecare Service of the Illinois Eye Institute
• Early patient care experiences in Advanced Ophthalmic Care, Cornea/Contact Lens, and Pediatrics/Binocular Vision

4th Year

• Three externship rotations with at least one VA Hospital setting
• Mandatory areas of focus: Advanced Ophthalmic Care, Cornea/Contact Lens, Low Vision Rehabilitation, and Pediatrics/Binocular Vision, and Primary Eyecare

Send us an update or share any feedback that you might have by e-mailing the Office of Alumni Development at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Lifetime Giving Societies recognize those alumni, friends and institutions whose culmulative gifts in support of the Illinois College of Optometry and the Illinois Eye Institute total $5,000 or more.

Founder’s Club ($100,000 and above)
Chairman’s Club ($75,000 - $99,999)
President’s Club ($50,000 - $74,999)
Dean’s Club ($25,000 - $49,999)
Benefactor’s Club ($10,000 - $24,999)
Patron’s Club ($5,000 - $9,999)

We are grateful to each of our donors for their generosity and recognize them as part of  ICO’s Lifetime Giving Societies Honor Roll.

The Legacy Society
Legacy Society members share the honor of having included the Illinois College of Optometry in their wills or estate plans. Through careful gift planning, these donors have made a significant impact on the future of ICO.

We recognize individuals who thoughtfully remember ICO in their estate plans in ICO’s Legacy Society Honor Roll.

The Leadership Circle recognizes ICO’s most generous benefactors — those individuals who support the College with annual gifts of $1,000 or more. These alumni and friends of the Illinois College of Optometry share its interests and are committed to generously supporting the College.

The financial support of Leadership members is vital to ICO, helping the College to fulfill its mission to provide excellence in optometric clinical education. These gifts provide both unrestricted support for the College’s operating budget as well as restricted support to fund capital improvements, student scholarship and community outreach initiatives.

Dr. Arol Augsburger, President of ICO, has a strong personal commitment to the Leadership Circle. He shares regular communication with members and hosts exclusive events such as the annual Leadership Circle reception at Reunion and private receptions for Leadership Circle members at his home.

Additional privileges of membership include:

• Pride in contributing to the success of ICO
• Custom-designed Leadership Circle lapel pin
• Invitations to private Leadership Circle events
• Recognition in ICO Matters and at events
• Special recognition in the annual Honor Roll of Donors

Providing Leadership Circle members with distinguished recognition is a priority for Dr. Augsburger. Gold, silver and bronze membership levels have been established to acknowledge the commitment and extraordinary contributions of Leadership Circle members.

Your gifts to the Illinois College of Optometry make a difference and support our mission to provide excellence in optometric education.

Annual Fund
The Annual Fund consists of unrestricted donations toward operational support for clinical and classroom instruction, physical plant maintenance and patient care. The College directs Annual Fund gifts to the areas of greatest need. Money raised through the Annual Fund is spent within the year it is received.  As such, it must always be replenished.

Scholarships
One of the College’s highest priorities is to increase the amount of scholarship support available to our students so that deserving applicants can better afford their optometric education.

Gifts of any size can be directed to the general scholarship fund or toward an existing scholarship fund.  New named scholarships can be established either with an expendable gift of at least $500 for a one-time award or through a gift to endowment of at least $10,000 for gifts in perpetuity.

Charitable Services
The Illinois Eye Institute (IEI), the clinical division of the College is one of the largest providers of eye care in the state of Illinois, serving over 90,000 patient visits yearly. Through the participation of its faculty and students, as well as through the donation of materials and services, ICO provides extensive charitable services. Gifts to support the IEI’s charitable services will directly benefit people in need and will advance the College’s commitment to service for its community.

Research
The commitment of faculty to contribute to the body of knowledge through scholarly activity and/or patient care excellence is a core value for the College. With a patent population that is typified by people with complex health issues, the Illinois Eye Institute has a strong base for supporting excellence in clinical education and research.

Philanthropic support is sought to defray research-related capital and equipment costs as well as other associated expenses.

Faculty
The cornerstone of the ICO’s preeminent academic program is its outstanding faculty. ICO’s strategic plan, Focus on our Future, calls for reinvestment in its intellectual capital – including its faculty – to protect and enhance this critical resource.

Gift opportunities in support of faculty include:

• Faculty Development Fund to support faculty development activities including travel, meeting registration, sabbatical related expenses and speaker honorariums and fees.
• Research Funding to provide critical resources for the pursuit of ongoing or new studies.
• Named Professorships to endow a professorship to provide salary and research funds in perpetuity.

Named Facilities
A gift to name a facility within the Illinois College of Optometry or Illinois Eye Institute provides the donor with recognition for their gift or an opportunity to memorialize a family member. Titles for the naming opportunities will be determined based upon the donor’s preference and College policy.