In Pomona, California, Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry offers a Doctor of Optometry program to prepare future eye care professionals with specialized skills in optometric rehabilitation, including neuro-optometry. Since opening in 2008, the College has focused on providing an education that blends clinical expertise with compassionate care, aiming to equip graduates for various professional environments. The College’s mission is grounded in the commitment to develop healthcare professionals who can address the visual health needs of a diverse global population. Central to this mission is emphasizing rehabilitation of the visual system and collaboration across healthcare disciplines. The College promotes innovation in education, research, and clinical service to advance optometry and improve patient outcomes. Faculty members at WesternU are integral to the College’s success. These educators teach and lead research efforts and create innovative instructional methods. Their commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration enriches the academic environment and supports a culture of ongoing learning. Students benefit from faculty who balance scholarship with hands-on mentorship, preparing them for the realities of optometric practice. The College attracts students from a wide geographic area, contributing to a dynamic and diverse academic community. In 2024, over a quarter of the student body was from states outside California, with a small percentage representing international origins. Over the past five years, students have hailed from thirty states, reflecting the College’s national reputation. Admissions decisions consider both academic achievement and the varied life experiences applicants bring, fostering a student population with broad perspectives. A distinctive feature of the College’s program is its focus on optometric rehabilitation. This specialty serves patients experiencing visual difficulties linked to neurological disorders, brain injuries, strokes, or developmental conditions. The curriculum includes training in vision therapy and low vision rehabilitation, addressing the unique needs of these populations. Clinical experiences allow students to apply these skills in real-world settings, helping patients regain or improve their visual function. Clinical training primarily occurs at the WesternU Health Eye Care Institute, equipped for comprehensive patient care and student education. Under faculty supervision, students conduct eye exams and manage conditions ranging from routine vision concerns to complex cases like neuro-optometric rehabilitation and diabetic eye disease. This setting enables students to develop clinical expertise while providing valuable services to the community. In the final year, students participate in a required externship program that offers full-time clinical rotations in diverse settings. These include private optometry offices, ophthalmology clinics, Veterans Administration facilities, Indian Health Service centers, military medical centers, and WesternU specialty clinics. Through these rotations, students gain experience with varied patient populations and eye conditions, sharpening their clinical judgment, communication skills, and ability to collaborate across professions. Additionally, a distance-learning Practice Management course equips students with foundational knowledge in business operations relevant to optometric practice. The College’s core values emphasize professionalism, integrity, accountability, respect, and community engagement. These principles guide its efforts to connect advanced optometric care with underserved communities, unify professional voices to influence health policy, support students’ growth in clinical and ethical practice, and encourage faculty to serve as links between knowledge and patient care. By combining rigorous academics, extensive clinical experience, and a strong ethical foundation, Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry prepares graduates to make meaningful contributions to eye care and vision health in their communities and beyond.