The Vision Care Technology Programs are designed to educate students in the vision care field as dispensers/opticians/vision care technicians or assistants. Students receive theoretical and laboratory experiences in optics, enabling them to explore practical and laboratory experiences in the vision care profession. Students may pursue an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Vision Care Technology or a Certificate of Completion in Optical Laboratory Technology.

At the present time, there are shortages of qualified dispensers/opticians/vision care technicians or assistants. Vision Care is a growing health care field, providing excellent career opportunities and upward mobility. Employment opportunities are available in retail stores, wholesale laboratories, eyecare clinics, optometrists and ophthalmologists’ offices, and Indian Health Service medical centers. Many dispensers/opticians/vision care technicians or assistants, after several years of experience, choose to become self-employed.

Vision Care Technology - Annual Statistics Outcome 2008-2010

More about the Vision Care Technology program (PDF)

Congratulations to SIPI’s New Optical Image Club! The video, “Through the Eyes of a SIPI Student” addressed campus road conditions and won FIRST place in the 2009 New Mexico Traffic Safety Summit, Bridging the Gap-Building Partnerships to Save Lives video competition. The video has gained statewide attention from the NM Higher Education Department, NM Department of Transportation, and other Native Alliances throughout New Mexico. Click here to view the video.

American Board of Opticianry/National Contact Lens Examiners
Commission on Opticianry Accreditation
The Dispensing Opticians
National Federation of Opticianry Schools
Opticians Association of America
Opticians Association of New Mexico
OpticianWorks.com -Where We Build Better Opticians
OpticianWorks.com Training Video- Using A Lensometer For Basic Verification And SV Layout Work