Vision Care Technology - Certificate of Achievement (3310)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Major Requirements (33 Credits)
BIO 125	Anatomy and Phys of The Eye	3
OPH 123	Ophthalmic Laboratory I	4
OPH 124	Ophthalmic Laboratory II	4
OPH 126	Ophthalmic Materials I	3
OPH 127	Ophthalmic Materials II	3
OPH 201	Ophthalmic Dispensing I	5
OPH 202	Ophthalmic Dispensing II	5
OPH 203	Contact Lenses I	3
PHY 111	Theory of Optics	3
Total Credits		33

• A New Jersey Apprentice Dispensing Permit should be obtained so that the Certificate of Achievement will qualify the student for taking the State licensing examination.
• The minimum passing grade for all courses is “C.” If you earn a grade below “C,” you need to repeat that course.

Notes:

1. For an explanation of why General Education courses are included in this Program, please refer to the Section on General Education for an explanation of its Purpose and Requirements.
2. This plan assumes the student is eligible to enroll in College Level Courses (designated as 100 +, e.g., ACC 102 Prin Accounting II Managerial, HST 131 Latin American History I, MTH 221 Calc with Analytic Geom III).  Placement results will determine College Level Readiness in English and Mathematics.  

Why major in Vision Care Technology?

The Vision Care Technology certificate program introduces students to the field of opticianry. Students receive training in laboratory techniques of measuring and grinding eyeglasses to prescription and in fitting and final adaptation of eyewear. Curriculum also prepares students for business administration functions of the profession and to pass the state licensing examination for Ophthalmic Technician and Ophthalmic Dispenser. To be successful in the field, you must combine scientific and clinical skills with ability to work well with patients. Job opportunities include owning or working in a retail optical dispensary or sales and marketing of ophthalmic materials. Employment prospects are increasing caused by growth in the elderly population and trends toward high fashion eyewear. All course work required by the Certificate of Achievement can be applied towards earning an A.A.S. degree in Vision Care Technology.  The program is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA), P.O. Box 592, Canton, NY, 13617 (Phone: 703-468-0566).

If I major in Vision Care Technology, can I transfer to an upper-division college or University?

The certificate program is career oriented, although students may choose to transfer their credits to four-year institutions in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in optometry, opticianry, or related fields.

Are there any requirements I must satisfy before I start taking courses in my major?

Based on your placement, you may be required to take developmental courses in English and/or Mathematics before taking courses in your major. In addition, prior completion of trigonometry, biology, and physics at high school level is strongly recommended.

How long will it take for me to complete this degree?

If you do not need developmental coursework and you register for an average of 6 credits each semester, you can complete the program in three years in conjunction with New Jersey’s Apprentice Dispensing Permit.

Where should I direct specific questions about this program?

Call the Division at (973) 877-3367.

PLEASE NOTE:

All applicants to Nursing and Health Sciences programs must meet special admission requirements. While waiting for admission, students are urged to begin taking core curriculum requirements, contact the divisional chair or faculty advisors for details. Admission to programs in the division is competitive; also contact counselors, faculty advisors, and/or Enrollment Service for additional details.

An individual who has charges pending or has ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor and/or found guilty of professional misconduct or negligence may or may not be eligible to be licensed as an allied health professional. These matters should be cleared with the respective licensing boards before applying for admission to allied health programs.

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Develop lensometry skills necessary for laying out lenses for edging, inspecting jobs according to standards, and neutralizing a pair of glasses;
• Discuss prescription eyewear both verbally and written with patient / customer and eyecare professionals;
• Analyzing and interpreting prescriptions;
• Identify human eye structure including its function and pathology;
• Assist patient / customer in selection of proper frames and lenses;
• Determine patient / customer physiognomic measurements (facial and eye);
• Reading / neutralizing prescriptions of existing eyeglasses both single vision and multifocal;
• Verifying eyeglasses to the prescription as to being either dispensable or not dispensable according to New Jersey standards;
• Adapt and fit prescription eyeglasses to patient / customer;
• Demonstrate proficiency in eyeglass lens edging equipment and applying rules and regulations for safety;
• Ability to interpret contact lens prescriptions and the differences from spectacles prescriptions and how they relate to the anatomy of the eye;
• Understanding of how eyeglass prescriptions relate to the anatomy and physiology of the patient / customer’s eye(s);
• Understanding frame and lens materials / designs and how they relate to patient / customer’s needs considering the pros and cons of their decisions;
• Understanding theory of light and optics as it relates to lens designs and materials and focusing power;
• Understanding the standards and regulations both nationally and New Jersey and how they need to be applied;
• Learning the role / responsibility / professional ethics of an Optician; and
• Discuss the use of the phoropter to determine prescriptions subjectively.