Ophthalmic Technology
Overview
Ophthalmic technology programs prepare people to help eye doctors examine and treat vision problems.Ophthalmic technology programs include topics such as:
- Interviewing patients
- Patient care
- Medications
- Vision testing
- Recordkeeping
Schools
Community colleges and other two-year schools offer certificate and associate degree programs in ophthalmic technology. A certificate program usually takes a year of full-time study. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete.
Very few colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in ophthalmic technology. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Medical Secretarial Studies
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology
- Opticianry
- Optometric Technology
- Optometry
- Polysomnography
- Pre-Health Services
- Vision Science
Related Careers
Careers to Consider
Program Admission
Proprietary schools, colleges, and universities all offer this program. If you want to study at a proprietary school, you can prepare for this program of study by completing your high school diploma or getting a GED. If you want to study at a college or university, you can prepare for this program by taking the following courses: four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Applicants to some programs need to take between one to two years of college-level general education courses first. Specific prerequisite courses vary among these programs but typically include some combination of the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- College Math
- Computer Science
- English Composition
- Humanities electives
- Interpersonal Communication
- Physics
- Public Speaking
- Social Science electives
In addition, admission requirements for some programs may include the following:
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal interview
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Community Health
- General Computer Applications
- Health Education
- Healthcare Sciences Work Experience
- Introduction to Business
- Psychology
- Vision Care Assisting
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye
- Basic Visual Examination
- Clinical Optics
- Corneal Topography
- Diagnostic Procedures
- Eye Disease
- Fundamentals and Principles of Contact Lenses
- Grand Rounds and Seminar
- Introduction to Clinical Skills
- Introduction to Ophthalmic Surgery
- Maintenance of Ophthalmic Instruments
- Medical Ethics
- Medical History-Taking
- Ocular Motility and Binocular Vision
- Ocular Pharmacology
- Ophthalmic Dispensing
- Ophthalmic Photography
- Ophthalmic Therapeutic Procedures
- Perception and Low Vision
- Pupil Evaluation
- Retinoscopy and Refractometry
- Surgical Assisting Procedures
All ophthalmic technology programs include clinical practicums or "externships." This aspect of the program gives you valuable hands-on experience working under the supervision of an experienced ophthalmologist. Depending on the setting, you might run vision tests on patients, find out their medical history, or even assist an eye doctor with a minor surgery.
Things to Know
Some schools offer a program in ophthalmic medical technology. These programs prepare people to work in hospitals.
After graduating from this program, you may be eligible to sit for a national certification exam.
Certification is not necessary to get a job in ophthalmic technology, but it can help.
Schools
King-Snohomish Area
Renton Technical College
- Ophthalmic Assistant