President’s Message

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A Message From the President

Dear Friends,

It is with great honor and enthusiasm that I begin my presidency of the SUNY College of Optometry. For over fifty years, the College has been dedicated to the education of optometrists and vision scientists, advancing evidence based eye and vision care through research, and providing comprehensive and specialty eye and vision care to the many communities we serve.

As a Center of Excellence within the SUNY system and the only optometry program in New York State and the surrounding region, the College attracts highly talented students from across North America and abroad. Our graduates, trained to meet the evolving needs of eye care, are prepared for a dynamic profession that offers several career options and opportunities for lifelong growth.

We will continue our tradition of excellence in optometric education, vision research, and patient care. With our outstanding faculty and dedicated college community, the future is bright for the College, our students, and the many patients we serve.

We are committed to building on our many strengths through several core principles:

Advancing Excellence: We will continue to develop a curriculum that trains the world’s best optometric eye care providers and prepares them for an evolving profession.
Driving Innovation: We will expand our eye and vision research efforts in the laboratory and in our Clinical Vision Research Center to improve patient outcomes globally.
Enhancing Access and Diversity: We will ensure that the College is inclusive and accessible to excellent students from all backgrounds, strengthening our programs for all we serve.
Serving Our Community: We will address the need for eye care providers in under-served areas and provide leading-edge eye care to all New Yorkers.

The College’s academic, professional, and research programs are characterized by innovation and impact through the efforts of dedicated faculty and staff. The University Eye Center (UEC), as the College’s main teaching clinic, provides primary, specialized, and medical eye care services to more than 60,000 patients each year. The UEC is well known for its many unique clinical services, including pediatric eye care, specialty contact lenses, myopia management, dry eye care, glaucoma management, ocular disease clinics, care for traumatic brain injury, vision rehabilitation, and more, making it a vital resource for patients in the New York metropolitan area and beyond.

The College of Optometry is a leader in eye and vision science through our graduate and research programs. We perform basic, translational, and clinical eye and vision research to understand the miracle of vision, develop treatments for debilitating eye disease, improve clinical standards of care, and ultimately change patient lives.

Located in the heart of New York City at 33 West 42nd Street, our 18-story facility combines historical charm with modern educational opportunities. The vibrant city offers an unparalleled environment for intellectual and cultural growth. Additionally, we will address the critical need for eye care providers in upstate New York through the creation of our Upstate Optometry Extension Center in partnership with SUNY Upstate Medical University and its Department of Ophthalmology.

I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to working with our dedicated faculty and staff to achieve our vision and fulfill our mission to educate, innovate, and serve.

Sincerely,
David Troilo, PhD
President