Research at SCO

Didactic and clinical education is critical for the development of qualified optometrists, and research is critical for the development of the profession of optometry. In support of this directive, SCO has included a research component in its strategic plan, and research has become a major emphasis of optometry’s governing bodies such as the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Optometry.

SCO has two dedicated research areas comprising several rooms exclusively for research studies. The SCO Director of Clinical Research and Research Committee guide and encourage faculty and student research.
Selected SCO students are awarded a funded research fellowship each summer to work with a faculty mentor on a research topic. Data that is collected from student projects leads to posters and/or presentations at major optometry and vision science meetings.
SCO has been a site for funded research through National Institutes of Health supported projects and several major ophthalmic corporations.