Course Catalog

Opticianry (Vision Care Technology) - OP14 Diploma


The Opticianry diploma program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today's Opticianry field. A licensed dispensing optician (LDO) can be described as a visual pharmacist who fills the written prescription orders of Ophthalmologists and Optometrists. The opticianry program teaches students how to fabricate prescription lenses, from semi-finished lens blanks, to be inserted into fashionable eyewear worn by the patient. Adjusting and fitting eyewear as well as frame selection and dispensing are also part of the curriculum. The Opticianry program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of Opticianry management. Graduates of the program receive an Opticianry diploma.

Requirements:

  • Submit a completed application and application fee
  • Be at least 16 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.

Additional Program Requirements:

  • Criminal background check required prior to start of clinical rotation.

Start Terms:

  • This program has alternating start terms of fall and spring; the next cohort begins Fall 2021 on the Valdosta campus.

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.

Gainful Employment Information
Curriculum Outline (59 hours)
General Core Courses 6
ENGL 1010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Reading and Writing Scores OR READ 0090 and/or ENGL 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
MATH 1012

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Math Scores or MATH 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.

3
Occupational Courses 53
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 1080

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): OPHD 1020, Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces students to the contact lens field. Emphasis is placed on the development of contact lenses to correct visual defects, types of contact lenses, and consumer selection. Topics include: safety and environmental procedures; contact lens history; contact lens instruments;, contact lens terminology; corneal topography; lens types, prefitting evaluation, examination and patient/lens selection; adverse effects of lens wear; lens selection, inspection and verification; fitting guidelines and regulations; and follow-up care.

5
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 2130

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): OPHD 1080, Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course continues students study of contact lenses with emphasis on rigid and gas permeable trial and prescriptive lens fitting techniques. Topics include: lens selection; inspection and verification; fitting guidelines and regulations; follow-up care; soft lens care and storage; fitting specialty rigid lenses; rigid lens care and storage; and fitting specialty soft contact lenses.

5
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
OPHD 1030

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): OPHD 1010, Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces students to properties of light and the laws of geometrical optics. Emphasis is placed on understanding major theories of light and the principles of plane and curved surfaces of mirrors and lenses. Topics include: light and vision; refraction; lens modified light; and lens systems.

2
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 2170

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): OPHD 2130 Co-requisite(s): None This course continues students study of contact lens dispensing knowledge skills. Emphasis is placed on reviewing types of contact lenses, fitting techniques, and further development of associated skills. Topics include: soft contact lens fitting; hard contact lens fitting; contact lens instrumentation; effective consumer service; and contact lens regulations.

3
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 2180

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): OPHD 2090, OPHD 2120 Co-requisite(s): None Continues students study of ophthalmic dispensing knowledge and skills. Emphasis is placed on reviewing optical theory, laboratory procedures, and further development of associated skills. Topics include: optical laboratory; frames and lenses; dispensing techniques; eyewear sales; and eyewear regulations.

3
OPHD 2190

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 12 Pre-requisite(s): OPHD 2090, OPHD 2120, OPHD 2130 Co-requisite(s): None Continues students study of ophthalmic dispensing techniques. Emphasis is placed on gaining clinical experience in providing service to the ophthalmic consumer. Topics include: special visual problems; contact lenses; analyzing ophthalmic problems; ordering procedures; marketing eyewear; and work attitudes. The occupation-based instruction is implemented through the use of a Practicum or internship and all of the following: written individualized training plans, written performance evaluation, and required weekly seminar.

6
Faculty
Advisor

Opticianry Program Coordinator
Valdosta Campus

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