AV俱乐部

The Clinical Vision Science Masters Program (CVS) is an innovative graduate program developed through a unique partnership between the IWK Health Centre and AV俱乐部. It was implemented in 2003, based on 20 years of training expertise of its predecessor, the School of Orthoptics and Ophthalmic Medical Technology at the IWK Health Centre.聽CVS聽students learn to analyze and relate research findings to clinical experience, skills vital for superior diagnostic and therapeutic services, and they graduate well prepared for both clinical and research-based practices.

Students have an option to graduate after two years of study with a graduate diploma and eligibility to sit for certification examinations in Orthoptics, as well as Ophthalmic Technology. With a willingness to relocate, the employment rate is 100 per cent.聽 Students may then choose to complete a MSc in Clinical Vision Science. This supports the program's foundation in evidence-based practice.聽Because of the clinical immersion necessary,聽CVS聽students, who work directly with patients, and faculty operate from the IWK. The program only accepts a maximum of 6 post graduate students a year.聽聽 聽

The field of orthoptics deals with disorders聽of binocular vision and ocular motility, such as lazy eye (amblyopia), misaligned eyes (strabismus), and double vision (diplopia). Orthoptists do the clinical testing to assess vision conditions, as well as recommend聽and monitor therapy. They both enhance the specialized eye care patients聽need, and make it more accessible. Ophthalmic Technologists聽are qualified, at the highest level, to assist in the diagnostic evaluation, treatment, management and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities that affect vision and the visual system.

Clinical Vision Science works closely with the AV俱乐部 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, collaborates across the Faculty of Health and has regular visiting professor activities. In 2018, the North American Fusion Society met here and in 2022聽CVS聽is excited to be part of the Canadian Ophthalmology Society's annual meeting in Halifax and host the Orthoptic Certifying examinations.聽 聽

This unique offering is not found anywhere else on this continent. AV俱乐部's聽Clinical聽Vision聽Science Program is the largest orthoptic training program in聽North聽America and聽the only orthoptic program offering a Masters level education.聽CVS is the only dual program offering聽eligibility聽to certify as an orthoptist and ophthalmic聽technologist.

CVS聽by the Numbers

• In 2015, the program聽graduated聽its 100th student.
• 75% of orthoptists聽employed聽in Atlantic Canada are graduates of the program
• 40% of the聽Canadian聽Orthoptic Society is聽comprised聽of聽CVS聽graduates.