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Optician
Optometric/Ophthalmic
Technician
Employment
Certification
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Requirements
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PROGRAM COMPETENCIES

The following is a list of skills/competencies that each student will develop upon successful completion of each vision care course.

OPTS 1311 - The Visual System (3-0)

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• describe the sense of vision and the development of the human eye from conception;
• list the major anatomical parts of the eye, the adnexa, and the visual system and describe their functions;
• define and discuss refractive errors, disorders, and diseases of the eye and their causes and treatments;
• list and describe various tests performed by ophthalmic assistants and instruments and devices utilized to facilitate the detection of ocular diseases and disorders.

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• use proper telephone and patient skills to communicate information and to solicit pertinent information;
• obtain and record patients' information to complete an accurate medical history;
• perform various diagnostic tests using ophthalmic equipment and instruments to assist the eye practitioner in assessing visual abnormalities;
• assist the eye physician in the performance of eye examinations and treatments.

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• mark-up, block, and edge single vision and multi-focal lenses;
• make patterns for use in the edging process;
• apply impact resistance processes to glass lenses;
• tint, insert, and inspect finished spectacles applying American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and other accepted standards;
• repair metal and plastic frames.

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• discuss the history of the study of optics;
• describe the nature of the electromagnetic spectrum and the light relationship of colors and energy levels to wave lengths;
• calculate for image size, position, nature, and orientation using the mirror and thin lens formula;
• calculate for and trace light rays as they pass through prisms and lenses.

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• obtain various facial and frame measurements using standard measuring devices;
• describe various frame and lens types and materials and their uses, advantages, and disadvantages;
• assists patients/clients in the selection of frames and lenses;
• fill laboratory order forms;
• check, and properly adjust eyewear;
• utilize lens focimeters, gauges, and clocks to ascertain power, axis, major (prism) reference positions, center and edge thicknesses, and prism for single-vision and multi-focal lenses.

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• list major contributors, materials, and designs involved in the historical development of contact lenses;
• describe basic contact lens design and terminology;
• utilize contact lens instruments, tools, and gauges used to determine lens parameters;
• list general fitting requisites, philosophies, and rules for fitting contact lenses;
• utilize known materials and techniques to clean, disinfect, and sterilize contact lenses.

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• scrub, prep a patient, and set up surgical trays for various surgical procedures;
• identify ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical instruments used in ophthalmic surgery;
• gown, glove, and identify areas of sterilization in an operating room setting;
• assist the eye physician in the performance of preoperative tests.

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• list and discuss inherent lens aberrations and methods used to minimize these when fitting higher powered prescriptions;
• calculate for total percentage magnification and determine percent changes when redesigning a required lens;
• list, discuss, and compare inherent impact resistance of various lens materials;
• describe the physiological and psychological effects of spectacle lens use;
• discuss low vision optical and non-optical aids used to enhance the visual performance of partially sighted persons.

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• use surfacing formulas, charts, and computer programs to determine the necessary surfacing information;
• use standard ophthalmic surfacing machines and instruments to block, grind, fire, and polish plastic lenses;
• apply required and accepted procedures to minimize and eliminate potentially dangerous machine operations and agents;
• adhere to local, state, and national guidelines with respect to disposal of all surfacing wastes;
• maintain and calibrate machines and instruments.

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• utilize fitting criteria to evaluate the fit of soft, rigid, spherical, and toric contact lenses;
• use and match lens care and storage solutions with the proper contact lens material and symptomatology;
• recognize symptomatology of adverse contact lens wear and explain refitting techniques for these conditions;
• list and explain therapeutic and cosmetic contact lens application;
• recognize and describe problematic conditions and solutions with contact lens wearers having aphakia, keratoconus, and presbyopia.

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• operate and maintain an optical dispensary and laboratory;
• perform all necessary measurements for eyeglass ordering;
• record eyeglass order;
• fabricate and dispense eyeglasses;
• maintain a patient record system.

OPTS 1219 - Ophthalmic Office Procedures (2-0)

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• maintain a professional attitude while attending to customers and patients;
• maintain, store, and retrieve patient files and records;
• list and complete various government and other insurance claim forms;
• list and describe local, state, and national safety regulations applicable to the optical industry;
• discuss and demonstrate professional ethics.

OPTS 2266 - Ophthalmic Practicum II (1-30) (8 weeks)

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• interact with fellow ophthalmic professionals and patients in the workplace;
• think critically regarding vision care by using situation analysis and problem solving techniques.