So I am in full swing in my externship. Right now I am at a Cataract and Refractive Surgery Center. It is a great atmosphere. There are 2 main optometrists that I work with at 2 different locations. Also my schedule is always changing, which keeps things interesting. Some days my hours are 7-3 and some are 11-7. It is convenient. Also there are some ophthalmologists that we work with as well. It is nice to see how medical optometry is practiced. There are opportunities to observe cataract surgeries and refractive surgery such as LASIK and PRK. Also we have observed some YAG surgeries. I see about 12 patients a day. Most of them are actually full exams; they are here for glasses or contacts. But also we are busying seeing glaucoma patients, macular degeneration patients, and post op cataract/refractive patients. I have seen some very interesting and unique patients. We also see a lot of emergency walk-in patients. Already I have seen 2 patients with metal and glass in their eye. OUCH!
I was also busy earlier this month taking National Boards Part 3 in Charlotte, NC. This exam tests our clinical skills with patients. As 4th years we have to take part 3 anytime between September and April. Many of my SCO classmates wanted to take the test early because we all were fully prepared to take it by September of our 4th year. I prepared for it during the summer with some other classmates. The school really did a great job preparing us. We were able to use the same equipment that we were tested on; which really helped. I felt that I did really well and was prepared. The only bad part is that we don’t find out until November what our scores are.
Now I am getting ready to take National Boards part 2 in November. It is a written test that is about treatment and management. But it can’t be all work and no play. I am getting excited about going up to Portland, OR in couple of weeks to attend GWCO. GWCO is a large optometry meeting for the Western United States. I will be able to meet optometrists in that part of the country and maybe meet possible job opportunities.
That’s it for now, but I’ll keep you posted.
Cheers!