Opticianry

AAS

Opticianry

This Opticianry Program is a two-year program that offers an associate of applied science degree in Opticianry and is nationally accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA). According to the Washington State Administrative Code and Licensing Guidelines: "The ophthalmic dispenser (dispensing optician) prepares duplications of and dispenses lenses, spectacles, eyeglasses, and/or appurtenances for intended wearers on written prescriptions from physicians or optometrists; and in accordance with such prescriptions, the dispenser measures, adapts, adjusts and fabricates such lenses, spectacles, eyeglasses and/or appurtenances to the human face for the aid or correction of visual or ocular anomalies of the human eye." Other responsibilities may include business/administrative functions relating to record maintenance; purchasing and maintenance of supplies and equipment; physiognomy measurements; and preparation of laboratory job orders. Enrollment into the program occurs only in fall and winter quarters. New students can begin taking support courses listed in preparation for the fall quarter start.

Graduates MUST pass a state-licensing exam to practice in this field. As part of licensure, four hours of HIV/AIDS education certification is required.

Career Opportunities

Students successfully completing the Opticianry Program and the licensure examination by the State of Washington will have the skills necessary to work as a dispensing optician or sales representative in the eye care field. Opticians are employed by optical firms, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers and wholesalers. Some graduates may become proprietors of their own dispensing establishments.

The U.S. Department of Labor in a recent study found opticianry to be one of the best professions for job security. Employment of opticians is expected to increase in the next decade as population growth continues in the Northwest; as the current trend in stylish eyewear accelerates; and as health care in general improves and visual deficiencies are detected in groups of the population that are now unserved. The earnings of qualified opticians are among the highest of health-care technicians.

Entrance Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent in the U.S.
  • Test requirements: COMPASS placement testing. Must be eligible for ENG 101 (Composition) and MAT 084 (Algebra I). The test is waived if transcripts show completion of English and Math with at least 2.0 grade.

How To Get Started

  • Complete the Standard Procedure for Admission to the College
  • Eligibility Contact the division counselor's office at (206) 344-4347 for an interview/appointment to evaluate test results and for counseling assistance to determine eligibility to enter the program. When eligible, applicants are accepted and placed on the approved list on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students having previously earned credits in science/general education courses must apply for Credit by Direct Transfer in the Admissions Office, room BE 1107. This is the responsibility of the applicant. Applicants are also responsible for submitting all prerequisite and/or supporting class grades to the division office.

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Estimated Training Costs

Curriculum

1'st QuarterCr
AHE 165 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY I 3
Fundamentals of medical terminology, with emphasis on basic rules, vocabulary building, abbreviations, and knowledge of medical terms relating to body systems and medical specialties.
ENGL&101 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 5
(Formerly ENG 101) Intro to the writing process. Writing assignments focus on non-fiction prose, with subject matter drawn from firsthand experience and observation.
MIC 101 INTRODUCTION TO MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS 4
Intro to microcomputer applications for Windows. Includes an overview of Windows, the Microsoft Office System featuring Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet Browsers, email, along with emerging software application topics and concepts.
OPH 100 ORIENTATION TO OPHTHALMIC DISPENSING 2
Intro to optical mechanics, ophthalmic dispensing and optics, and products. Overview of the optical business and the job of the ophthalmic dispenser.
OPH 110 OPTICAL LAB TECH I 3
Covers lens surface grinding, ophthalmic laboratory procedures, laboratory safety procedures, lens planing and design as related to eyeglass fabrication, and basic optical terminology.
2'nd QuarterCr
CMST 100
OPH 101 OPTICAL THEORY I 5
Focuses on ophthalmic lens optics and eyeglass fabrication process. Intro to practical application of ophthalmic lens equations. Includes study of powers of spectacle lenses including ophthalmic prisms and aberrations.
OPH 107 OPHTHALMIC DISPENSING I 5
Intro to responsibilities of the ophthalmic dispenser, including facial measurements, cosmetic considerations, frame fitting and selection based on prescription. Includes practical projects, role-playing and demonstrations.
OPH 111 OPTICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY II 3
Continuation of OPH 110. Intro to lab machinery, including applications, maintenance and repair, operation of focimeter, application of optical instruments and tools. Covers ophthalmic lens inspection process.
3'rd QuarterCr
MATH 110 APPLIED MATH FOR TECHNICIANS 3
Emphasis on applications of mathematics to vocational and technical courses.
OPH 102 OPTICAL THEORY II 4
Continuation of OPH 101. Introduces reflection and refraction principles. Emphasis on light theories, propagation, ray tracing, plane surfaces and prisms.
OPH 105 OCULAR ANATOMY&PHYS 3
Covers anatomy and physiology of the human eye, including relation of ocular anatomical structures to the visual process. Emphasis on ocular terminology.
OPH 108 OPHTHALMIC DISPENSNG II 5
Covers ophthalmic dispensing procedures relating to complex prescriptions: fitting, adjusting and ordering procedures with emphasis on multi-focal and absorptive lenses. Includes low-vision aids. Refines communication skills.
OPH 112 OPTICAL LAB TECH III 3
Continuation of OPH 111, with emphasis on lens edging process. Covers manual skills, processing flow of the finishing laboratory, lens standards, and insertion of hand-edged projects into plastic and metal frames.
4'th QuarterCr
OPH 103 OPTICAL THEORY III 3
Covers multi-focal lenses: origin, development, types and applications. Includes study of presbyopia and other conditions requiring correction, and introduces presbyopic prescription analysis.
OPH 106 CONTACT LENSES TECH I 5
Covers basic principles of contact lenses: history, manufacturing methods, terminology, optics, equipment for fitting and evaluation of contact lens candidates. Lab demonstration on use of radius gauge, ophthalmometer, thickness and diameter gauges, shadow graph and biomicroscope.
OPH 113 FINISHING I 5
Covers finishing work with emphasis on procedures and machinery for automatic edging. Studies American National Standards Institute guidelines. Intro to lens toughening procedures and stress testing.
OPH 197 OPHTHALMIC DIS/WORK EXP 5
Earn work experience credit in the field of opticianry.
5'th QuarterCr
BUS& 101 OR INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS 5
(Formerly BUS 101) Survey of American business in a global context: business and economic terminology, forms of business ownership, management, accounting, finance, international marketing, and foreign exchange rates. Also covers small businesses, business start-ups, and franchising.
BUS 103 OR PERSONNEL/HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 3
BUS 185 SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 5
OPH 203 CONTACT LENSES II 5
Covers basic fitting techniques of hard and soft lenses. Includes patient instruction and contact lens adjustments. Examines bifocal, scleral, and specialty lenses.
OPH 211 FINISHING II 5
Continuation of finishing laboratory skills, with emphasis on efficient production flow. Includes layout of multi-focal lenses, and study of plastic lenses and tinting.
OPH 295 OPHTHALMIC DISPENS BUS. 3
Acquire real-world opticianry experience through practice in a retail optical store on campus under direct supervision of a Washington state-licensed optician. All business functions including sales and management administered by student teams, over three academic quarters. Fully develop salesmanship, business plans, and implementation.
PSYC&100 OR GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 5
(Formerly PSY 110) Intro to the scientific study of human behavior, including learning and thinking, development, perception, motivation, emotion, personality and individual differences, social and abnormal behavior, and research methods.
PSYC&200 OR LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY 5
PSYC 240 PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS 3
6'th QuarterCr
OPH 198 Ophthalmic Dispensing 5
Allows students to gain work experience directly related to their majors. Integrates classroom study with employment.
OPH 204 CONTACT LENSES TECH III 6
Continuation of OPH 203. Emphasis on available lenses, solutions and accessories; diagnostic and fitting skills; development of biomicroscopy and keratometry skills.
OPH 212 FINISHING III 5
Continuation of OPH 211. Emphasis on efficiency, speed and accuracy. Includes finishing procedures for special lenses, frames, and mountings.
OPH 296 OPHTHALMIC DISP. BUS. 3
Practice in a simulated dispensary under direct supervision of a Washington state licensed ophthalmic dispenser. All business functions administered by student teams, over three academic quarters to fully develop business plans and implementation. Prerequisite: Completion of first year requirements.
7'th QuarterCr
OPH 199 OPHTHALMIC DISPENSING 5
Allows students to gain work experience directly related to their majors. Integrates classroom study with employment.
OPH 205 CONTACT LENS TECH IV 2
Continuation of OPH 204. Emphasis on ocular surfaces in interaction with foreign objects, ocular pharmacology, and the refractive examination.
OPH 215 BENCHWORK PROCEDURES 3
Independent work on projects to develop production skills and workmanship. Lab time is scheduled, but students choose project completion date.
OPH 297 OPHTHALMIC DISP. BUS. 3
Practice in a simulated dispensary under direct supervision of a Washington state licensed ophthalmic dispenser. All business functions administered by student teams, over three academic quarters to fully develop business plans and implementation. Prerequisite: Completion of first year requirements.
OPH 299 COMPREHENSIVE 7
Typical workshops include advanced ophthalmic skills incorporating new technology, critical thinking and problem-solving. Pursue professional areas of interest.
Total Credits = 126 - 128

Note: In order to complete the program, a 2.0 grade or above is required in all opticianry, related instruction and science courses.

For Further Information:

The School of Opticianry
Health and Human Services
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Room 2BE3210
Seattle, WA 98122
PHONE: (206) 344-4347
TTY: (206) 344-4347
FAX: (206) 587-6337

Program Contact:
Maureen Wood-Mottley mawood@sccd.ctc.edu 206.587.6953