Optometric Technology

Overview

Optometric technology programs include topics such as:

• Patient care and communication
• Anatomy and physiology of the eye
• Administering medications
• Vision testing
• Fitting eye glasses and contacts
• Recordkeeping

Schools

Several community colleges and other two-year schools offer certificate and associate degree programs in optometric 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 optometric 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 Office Management
• Medical Secretarial Studies
• Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology
• Ophthalmic Technology
• Opticianry
• Optometry
• Vision Science

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

• Opticians

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

• Lens Grinders and Polishers
• Medical Assistants
• Ophthalmic Technicians

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.

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
• Safety and First Aid
• 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
• Diagnostic Procedures
• Eye Disorders
• Fundamentals and Principles of Contact Lenses
• Introduction to Medical Terminology
• Maintenance of Ophthalmic Instruments
• Medical History-Taking
• Ophthalmic Procedures
• Optical Dispensing
• Optical Practice Management and Patient Relations

All optometric technology programs include practicums or "externships." This means that you can practice the things you learn in a real-life, hands-on setting. You might do things such as schedule patient appointments, run vision tests on patients, and helps them try on and clean contact lenses.

Things to Know

A couple of schools offer distance education opportunities for this program. If you choose one of these programs, you will also need to participate in a practicum or apprenticeship at the same time.

Although not all states require certification and licensure to practice, it can be helpful for employment. Both the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) offer testing for certification.

A registered optometric technician receives the title OptTR.

Some opticianry programs offer courses in optometric technology. It's possible to combine those courses with an apprenticeship or practicum in an eye care facility. Afterwards, you can take the certification exam.

Ophthalmic technology programs also teach you to be an optometric technician. The difference in these two programs is that ophthalmic technicians may also assist ophthalmologists who sometimes perform eye surgeries.

Schools

No information available.