New England College of Optometry

New England College of Optometry. It is a private, professional graduate school located in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1894, it is the oldest continually operating institution of optometric education in the United States. The college confers the Doctor of Optometry degree and several postgraduate degrees, operating a network of clinical training sites throughout New England and internationally.

History

The institution was founded in 1894 as the Boston-based Klein School of Optics. It was later renamed the Massachusetts College of Optometry before adopting its current name in 1967 to reflect its regional mission. A significant milestone occurred in 1974 when it relocated to its present primary location on Commonwealth Avenue. The college has been a leader in advancing the profession, including pioneering the concept of the optometric residency in the 1970s. Its history is intertwined with the evolution of optometry from a trade to a doctoral-level healthcare profession recognized across the United States.

Academics

The college's primary program is the four-year professional Doctor of Optometry program, which includes extensive clinical training beginning in the first year. It also offers a combined OD/MS degree, a Master of Science in Vision Science, and several postgraduate residency programs in specialties like pediatric optometry and cornea and contact lenses. Clinical education is conducted through the **New England Eye** network, which includes the on-campus Boston clinic and over 40 affiliated community health centers, VA hospitals, and private practices across New England. The curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.

Campus

The main academic and administrative building is located at 424 Beacon Street on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston's Back Bay, part of the city's architectural historic district. This facility houses lecture halls, laboratories, the Friedman Health Center, and the **New England Eye** flagship clinical practice. The college's primary teaching clinic, the **New England Eye at Commonwealth**, is directly adjacent. While primarily an urban campus, its clinical network extends the "campus" across multiple states, including facilities in Middleton, Springfield, and Portland, Maine.

Research

Faculty and student research is conducted primarily through the Institute for Clinical Applications of Visual Science. Key research areas include myopia control, binocular vision, pediatric optometry, low vision rehabilitation, and corneal and contact lens science. The college engages in collaborative studies with institutions like the Boston Children's Hospital, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Schepens Eye Research Institute. Research funding comes from sources such as the National Institutes of Health and various ophthalmic industry partners, contributing to advancements in eye care and public health.

Notable people

Notable alumni include **Alden N. Haffner**, a pivotal figure in establishing the Doctor of Optometry degree, and **George M. Milkie**, a past president of the American Optometric Association. Faculty and affiliated clinicians have held leadership positions in the American Academy of Optometry and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry**. **Eleanor E. Faye**, a renowned low vision specialist, was a longtime clinical faculty member. Former Massachusetts Governor **Michael Dukakis** served on the college's Board of Trustees.

Category:Universities and colleges in Boston Category:Optometry schools in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1894