Optical Technology

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

• review the major components and associated structures of the eye.
• relate the anatomical composition of the eye to the process of vision, the function of the eye in accommodation, and eye movements in vision.
• differentiate between structure, function, and pathology of the eye related to contact lens wear and eyeglasses.
• apply knowledge of refractive errors within the visual process and apply mathematical calculations.
• evaluate normal vision parameters and common disorders within the visual system while applying mathematical concepts.
• synthesize knowledge of pathological anomalies of the eye with treatment plans for patient care.
• correlate knowledge of the developmental stages of vision with aging changes and pathology.
• apply knowledge of common surgical procedures and basic pharmacological agents to the treatment of common pathological conditions.

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

• apply the metric system of measurement, find the values of the trigonometric functions, and perform basic optical calculations.
• apply ophthalmic terms, refraction at an interface, refractive errors, and basic cylinder optics. Describe characteristics of ophthalmic lenses, lens curvature and thickness, optical considerations with increasing lens power, optical prism, and lens design.
• evaluate information contained in a written prescription for eyeglasses.
• demonstrate how to use and apply the optical cross and prism formulas.
• perform slab off calculation, convert between various prism notations, and perform lens magnification calculations.
• integrate information for lens aberrations, the effects of pantoscopic tilt and face form on effective lens power, thick lens image formation, and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.
• perform lens reflection and absorption calculations, thin lens ray tracing and demonstrate image formation.
• compare common types of multi-lens systems.

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

• analyze the role of an optician within optometry, optical and lab settings.
• differentiate safe use of surfacing equipment and finishing procedures.
• apply frame and lens design principles to multiple types of eyewear products.
• make lenses incorporating block, surface, edge, and mounting skills.
• demonstrate how to align, adjust, and repair eyeglasses.
• demonstrate the final inspection to meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and inventory control methods for an optical business.

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

• integrate terminology for optical eyewear into frame and lens material application including face shape and lifestyle assessment.
• analyze prescriptions and determine customer’s needs by selecting appropriate lenses, perform measurements, adjust frames to proper fit and comfort, dispense prescription eyeglasses, and evaluate patient success.
• complete job tickets, process lab orders, manage inventory, and bill orders to insurance.
• apply customer service principles to effective communication, telehealth, telephone and patient care etiquette.
• perform eyeglass repairs.
• demonstrate knowledge of and regulations affecting safety eyewear, laws and regulations at state and federal level.
• review training and functions of eyecare professionals, purpose and membership requirements of major optical associations, historical development of optics and eyewear, advertising and future trends.

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

• prioritize the role and duties of an Optician in an Optometry and Optical Environment.
• examine Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laws and regulations, and make sound individual decisions regarding professional ethics and professional conduct.
• implement customer service within a patient care setting using effective communication skills with patients, team members, managers, doctors and vendors.
• formulate skills for sales techniques, marketing, advertising and future trends.
• appraise frame fitting procedures, lens options, appropriate measurements, order processing, insurance billing, and payment collection.
• integrate lab and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) procedures while learning to use optical equipment to safely fabricate lenses, repair eyeglasses, and adjust eyeglasses to meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards within the laboratory.
• problem solve clinical problems that may arise to ensure positive consumer outcomes at the time of dispensing.
• apply proper care for equipment and understand procedures for maintenance and repair.

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

• validate ocular anatomy, physiology, pathology, and refractory evaluation skills
• evaluate ophthalmic terminology, lens characteristics, lens powers, lens types, base curve and thickness, lens materials and its effects on thickness, weight, and dispersion.
• analyze, format and transpose prescriptions.
• integrate lens option choices based on occupations and lifestyle activities, accommodation and the range of vision with various lens powers, and how to neutralize lenses.
• solve ophthalmic formulas
• integrate the use of ophthalmic products to assist in visual corrections of pathological conditions.
• appraise instrumentation, dispensing procedures, laws, regulations, and standards.

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

• apply anatomical, physiological, and pathological indications to patients with contact lenses.
• analyze current soft and rigid contact lens materials and manufacturing techniques, and the optics associated with them.
• compare and contrast rigid and soft contact lens prescriptions, and select lens material, brands, and products.
• plan contact lens fitting and verification instruments, fitting contact lenses using the universal method, relating patient symptoms to rigid and soft contact lens adjustments, and how to modify rigid contact lenses.
• assess and identify appropriate types of contact lenses for patients, multifocal contact lenses, aphakic and minus lenticular contact lenses, scleral lenses, gas permeable and soft lenses, specialty and custom lenses.
• prioritize patient teaching on rigid and soft lens wearing schedules and troubleshoot fitting issues.
• appraise federal and state regulations regarding contact lenses.
• apply knowledge of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines to assess the safety of prolonged lens wear.

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

• analyze rigid and soft contact lens prescriptions, and select lens material, brands, and products based on what is prescribed.
• evaluate refraction and prism in contact lenses, and determine lens power.
• compute rigid and soft contact lens formulas.
• apply use of rigid and soft contact lens materials, based on their basic chemistry and material, to the manufacturing process.
• formulate proper use of rigid and soft contact lens instrumentation.
• evaluate the initial lens, adjust and modify rigid contact lenses.
• insert and remove rigid and soft contact lenses.
• apply safety guidelines while handling instrumentation.

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

• integrate patient history, interpret soft contact lens prescription, input prescription into the system, and order contact lenses
• utilize fitting instruments associated with soft contact lenses
• compare and contrast lens materials, brands, and products
• prioritize the principles behind extended-wear lenses
• fit soft extended-wear, multifocal, aphakic and minus lenticular contact lenses
• evaluate a teaching plan for patients on wearing schedules and lens care procedures for soft contact lenses
• integrate pathology to treatments including keratotomy, keratoconus problems, and bandage contact lenses

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

• differentiate the roles of an Optician in an Optometry and Optical Environment.
• integrate understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the ability to make sound individual decisions regarding professional ethics and conduct.
• evaluate the importance of customer service within a patient care setting, being aware of cultural diversity and sensory considerations when communicating with patients, team members, managers, doctors, vendors, and more.
• apply skills for effective use of fitting instruments associated with contact lenses.
• prioritize, under supervision, patient fitting procedures for various types of contact lenses.
• formulate patient teaching on wearing schedules and lens care procedures for soft contact lenses.
• sequence steps of practice management, ability to record patient history, interpret soft contact lens prescription, input prescription into the system, process orders, bill insurance, collect payment, and order contact lenses.
• differentiate lab and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) procedures while learning to use instrumentation to safely fit, adjust, and modify contact lenses to meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.
• troubleshoot problems that may arise to ensure consumer success at the time of dispensing.
• demonstrate proper care for equipment and understand procedures for maintenance and repair.

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

• integrate structure and function of the eye as related to contact lens wear.
• evaluate refractive errors as it relates to contact lens wear.
• categorize different instrumentation for measurement and observation of contact lenses.
• synthesize knowledge of contact lens modification and verification.
• correlate the prefitting process of contact lenses, evaluating data, material, design, and its parameters.
• compare and contrast the diagnostic fitting procedure and properly handle and care for the different types of contact lenses.
• synthesize subjective and objective findings, conduct assessments, and plan standard follow-up visits to ensure long-term patient success.