About Us

The Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry is one of the few fully accredited bilingual (English - Spanish) institutions offering the Doctor of Optometry degree.

The School of Optometry was founded in 1981 and the Doctoral Program in Optometric Education was initiated. The School of Optometry has received a license and accreditation from the Council on Higher Education in Puerto Rico, The Middle State Association and from the Council on Optometric Education (COE) of the American Optometric Association (AOA). The School is a member of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) in Washington, DC.

Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States - all Puerto Ricans are US citizens. Puerto Rico is accessible from most points in the mainland by many airlines, some with direct flights to San Juan.

The School of Optometry provides a full four year-professional program leading to the degree of Doctor of Optometry.

The program provides ample knowledge in its basic and clinical science department and a patient care department in which primary diagnosis, treatment and management eye care is emphasized. Graduates of the school are eligible for licenses in Puerto Rico, all 50 states and The District of Columbia and in many others countries around the world.

They also qualify for admission to all graduate and residency programs in the United States and many enter military services as an officer.

Clinic

The school counts with a series of clinics known by the name Inter American Institute of the Eye of Puerto Rico (better known as IIO for "Instituto Interamericano del Ojo").

We dedicate our efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat visual conditions that can inflict severe visual loss. A visual examination is recommended to all children beginning their first school year, to people with vision changes, double vision, headaches, itch or discomfort and to all person with systemic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol.

IIO operates a central clinic in Bayamón and satellite clinics in Caguas, Hato Rey, Juana Díaz, Río Piedras, and Santurce. They offer visual field examination services to geriatric centers, schools and nearby communities.

In the established clinics examination and complete visual care services are provided to children and adults of all ages by previous appointment, except in emergency situations.

Address

Our address (mail and physical) is:

Inter American University of Puerto Rico
School of Optometry
500 John Will Harris (Rd. 830)
Bayamón, PR 00957

Phone Numbers

School: (787) 765-1915

Admissions: (787) 765-1915 extension 1020
Admissions Fax: (787) 279-1997
Admissions Email: or Mr. José Colón at

Clinic

Main Clinic at Bayamón: (787) 765-1915 extensions 1101, 1102

Satellite Clinics

Caguas

Location: Dr. Gabriel Gimenez Sanjurjo Hospital
Phone: (787) 746-6555

Hato Rey

Location: 118 Eleanor Roosevelt St. (Old location of the School of Optometry)
Phone: (787) 765-1989

Juana Díaz

Location: San Cristobal Health Center
Phone: (787) 837-2225

Rio Piedras

Location: Dr. Javier Antón Hospital
Phone: (787) 765-1991, (787) 763-4242 extension 2221, 2240

Santurce

Location: Dr. Gualberto Rabell Hospital
Phone: (787) 977-9542