Objectives

To describe current components of scleral lens curricula at U.S. based optometry colleges and universities.

Methods

Contact lens educators were surveyed between June 2019 and August 2019 regarding their optometric scleral lens curriculum. Respondents were asked to describe their experience and involvement in optometric scleral lens education as well as to describe components of scleral lens curricula. Educators were also asked to identify sources of information upon which they rely on in order to stay informed about new developments and best practices in scleral lens prescription and management.

Results

Most programs begin scleral lens education during the 3rd year of optometric education (71.2 %; n = 52). Students complete an estimated 18.0 ± 18.1 (range 2–100) scleral lens evaluations during training (n = 36). Ideal fitting characteristics taught include central corneal clearance of 206.3 ± 44 microns (range 150−350, n = 40), limbal clearance of 62.1 ± 23.6 microns (range 20−100, n = 36) with one clock hour or less of conjunctival vascular compression (n = 41). Educators ranked in-person continuing education (61 %, 22/36) followed by contact lens laboratory consults (22 %, 8/36) as the two most important sources of information on best practices in scleral lens prescription and management.

Conclusions

Educators are uniquely positioned to guide the next generation of eyecare providers by incorporating and disseminating new research findings into their scleral lens curricula.

中文翻译：

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当前基于美国的验光巩膜镜片课程和验配建议：SCOPE 教育者调查

目标

描述美国验光学院和大学巩膜镜片课程的当前组成部分。

方法

隐形眼镜教育者在 2019 年 6 月至 2019 年 8 月期间接受了关于他们的验光巩膜镜片课程的调查。受访者被要求描述他们在验光巩膜镜片教育中的经验和参与，以及巩膜镜片课程的组成部分。还要求教育工作者确定他们所依赖的信息来源，以便随时了解巩膜镜片处方和管理方面的新发展和最佳实践。

结果

大多数课程在验光教育的第三年开始进行巩膜镜片教育（71.2 %；n = 52）。学生在培训期间完成估计 18.0 ± 18.1（范围 2-100）巩膜镜片评估（n = 36）。所教导的理想拟合特性包括中央角膜间隙 206.3 ± 44 微米（范围 150-350，n = 40），角膜缘间隙 62.1 ± 23.6 微米（范围 20-100，n = 36），结膜血管的一个时钟小时或更短压缩（n = 41）。教育工作者将面对面的继续教育（61%，22/36）和隐形眼镜实验室咨询（22%，8/36）列为巩膜镜片处方和管理最佳实践的两个最重要的信息来源。

结论

教育工作者具有独特的优势，可以通过将新的研究成果纳入和传播到他们的巩膜镜片课程中来指导下一代眼保健提供者。