Course Catalog

Eyewear Dispensing Specialist - EDS1 Technical Certificate of Credit


Campus Locations: Valdosta

The Eyewear Dispensing Specialist Technical Certificate of Credit is a short-term program designed to provide the basic knowledge and skills needed to gain employment as an eyewear dispensing specialist. The program also provides the opportunity for individuals in the optical field to obtain formal education in a specialized area.

Requirements:

  • Submit a completed application and application fee
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Submit official high school transcript or High School Equivalency transcript or college transcripts showing successful completion of 60+ semester credits or 72+ quarter credits
  • Submit official college transcripts, if applicable
  • Present acceptable ACCUPLACER, ACT, ASSET, COMPASS, PSAT, or SAT scores or GED score of 145 or higher or have one of the following: an associate degree or higher or have a HOPE GPA of 2.6 after the completion of 10th grade. Documentation on a college transcript of successful completion of appropriate courses from a regionally accredited college or university may be accepted in lieu of test scores.

This program is a HOPE Career Grant eligible program for students who are HOPE Grant eligible. The Career Grant award is a fixed amount per semester based on the number of credit hours taken. Maximum award per term is $500.

Curriculum Outline (29 hours)
Occupational Courses 29
OPHD 1010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Introduces students to the eye-care field and the profession of Opticianry. Emphasis is placed on the scope of activities performed by opticians. Topics include: scope and practice of a licensed optician; eye-care professions; major divisions of Opticianry; basic ocular anatomy; light and refraction; vision problems; corrective lenses; and national and state regulations.

3
OPHD 1020

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Develops students knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the eye. Emphasis is placed on the corneal metabolism and its accommodation of a contact lens. Topics include: anatomy of the eye; physiology of the eye; eye diseases and abnormalities; anterior and posterior segments; drugs and treatment methods; and ophthalmic terminology.

3
OPHD 1060

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): OPHD 1010 Co-requisite(s): None Introduces students to the operations involved in lens fabrication. Emphasis is placed on gaining knowledge of equipment requirements and developing surfacing and finishing techniques. Topics include: safety and environmental procedures and lens processing terminology; lens surfacing and finishing equipment; lens blank selection and layout; lens surfacing techniques; lens finishing techniques; lens final insertion and mounting techniques; and standard alignment, inspection of lenses and lensometer operation.

6
OPHD 1070

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): OPHD 1060 Co-requisite(s): None This course continues students study of lens fabrication. Emphasis is placed on using specialized lens materials and multifocal surfacing and finishing techniques. Topics include: specialized lens fabrication; multifocal lens positioning; inspection of multifocal lenses; optical calculations; frame repairs; optical equipment maintenance; advanced optical calculations, and high index lenses.

6
OPHD 2120

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): OPHD 1010 Co-requisite(s): None This course introduces students to techniques of ophthalmic sales and emphasizes effective consumer service. Topics include: managed care terminology; information gathering; information technology; communicating with consumers, prescribers and suppliers; ophthalmic sales skills; effective consumer services and problem solving; and lens finishing. This course continues students study of eyewear dispensing techniques. Emphasis is placed on gaining clinical experience in providing service to the eyewear consumer. Topics include: prescription lens materials; lens positioning; multifocal lenses; absorptive lenses; special lens coatings; prescription lens selection; lens finishing; use and care of eyewear; matching lenses to consumer needs; optical, physiological, and psychological problems; applied lensmeter techniques; information gathering; and ophthalmic sales skill.

6
OPHD 2090

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces students to frame selection and dispensing techniques. Emphasis is placed on gaining clinical experience in providing service to the eyewear consumer. Topics include: ocular measurements; frame selection; frame materials; eyewear fitting techniques; frame adjustment; administrative procedures; lens finishing; matching frames to consumer needs; managed care terminology; information technology; communication with consumers, prescribers, and suppliers; effective consumer services; and problem solving.

5
Faculty
Advisor

Opticianry Program Coordinator
Valdosta Campus

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