Vision Care Technology
- Optical Laboratory Technology Certificate
- Vision Care Technology AAS Degree
Vision Care Technology -"Focus on a Career with Vision"
The Vision Care Technology Program is a comprehensive formal education and training program in the field of vision eye care. Program courses are designed to lead students into careers as opticians, ophthalmic dispensers, ophthalmic optical laboratory technicians, or ophthalmic technicians/assistants. The foundation of the Vision Care Technology Program is based on the specialized skill trade of opticianry. Students receive theoretical and laboratory experiences in optics, enabling them to develop and apply practical and laboratory experiences in a supervised working environment. Students engage and identify specific eye care needs through the analyzing of an eye doctor's refractive correction prescription.
The Vision Care Technology Program provides students with a learning environment parallel to current local and national industry practices of the optician. The Vision Care Technology Program combines knowledge of theory and clinical procedures with skills and the ability to work well with patients in the fitting and adapting of ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, and devices that aid in providing comfortable and effective vision. The optician interprets prescriptions. measures, adapts, selects and fits eyeglasses or contact lenses for the correction of visual and ocular anomalies.
SIPI's Vision Care Technology Program is one of a few college programs accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA), which aligns formal education guidelines. The program is recognized by the local state opticianry associations, eye care businesses, and the National Federation of Opticianry Schools (NFOS) as a formal education program that meets the standards set forth by the National American Board of Opticianry Certification Board (ABOC) and National Contact Lens Examiners Board (NCLE). The program offers current technologies in the field of vision to prepare students for success in the expanding and lucrative career field of Vision Care.
The Associate Degree prepares students for national certification. Graduates of the Associate Degree program are eligible to take national examinations administered by the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examination certification examinations. The Vision Care Technology Program also offers a Certificate of Completion in Optical Laboratory Technology. Students receive theoretical and laboratory experiences in optics, enabling them to explore the practical and laboratory experiences in the optical technology profession.
Graduates of the program may become proprietors of ophthalmic dispensing firms or may secure positions as ophthalmic dispensers or contact lens technicians in an eye care professional office of ophthalmology, optometry or in a large corporate facility. Many of our graduates gain national certifications in the field of vision care and pursue additional degrees in general science, health science, economics, business or education.
Program Goals
The primary goal of the Vision Care Technology Programs is to educate all individuals for technical competencies and capabilities to enable them to compete and qualify for employment in the optical and ophthalmic industry.
The program also strives to eliminate hazardous waste and to reduce non-hazardous waste to minimum levels where economically and technically practical and to be in full compliance with all federal and state environmental regulations.
Optical Laboratory Technology Certificate
The Certificate in Optical Laboratory Technology is a course of study over three trimesters designed to train students to work in lab areas of optical establishments as technicians fabricating eyewear to ophthalmic lens prescriptions.
Students learn how to lay out, generate and polish optical lenses to prescription specifications. Students also learn how to edge and mount lenses into various types of frames and to apply various lens enhancements such as lens tints or coatings. The lab technician student is required to take all advanced level courses in lens fabrication. Lab technicians are generally employed by wholesale facilities. The technician generally works independently as a member of a technical team.
Mission Statement
The Optical Laboratory Technology Program will provide training and education to students to enable them to compete and qualify for employment as optical laboratory technicians in the optical field; and to produce well-trained, competent professionals to provide professional services to the public.
Goals
- Graduates will become employed as optical laboratory technicians
- Graduates will have the necessary knowledge and skills for prescription fabrication.
Optical Laboratory Technology Certificate Outcomes:
- Students will be able to surface optical lenses to prescription specifications.
- Students will be able to fabricate and mount lenses into various types of frames.
- Students will be able to describe various lens enhancements.
- Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of environmental and safety issues.
Optical Laboratory Technology Certificate - Program of Study
Associate of Applied Science Degree
The Vision Care Technology curriculum educates students to become optician/ophthalmic dispensers. A dispenser accurately interprets and evaluates the consumer’s prescription for the fitting of eyeglasses and contact lenses. This involves selecting the correct ophthalmic lenses, frames and lens enhancements to fit each individual needs and wants. Students learn a variety of dispensing skills; including product knowledge, fashion, optical eyewear fabrication, salesmanship, customer relations and retail optical management. Retail optical stores usually employ dispensers in shopping malls or retail outlets. Dispensers generally work independently with consumers.
The degree program is a two-year curriculum (five–trimesters) that includes General Education courses in Behavior Sciences, Communications, Humanities, Mathematics, and Science. The degree program, in addition to providing for transferability to advanced study, also provides an excellent foundation for students desiring to become optical managers, entrepreneurs. The program also provides a foundation for students who want to continue their education and become doctors of Optometry.
Mission Statement
The Vision Care Technology Program will provide training and education to students to enable them to compete and qualify for employment in the Ophthalmic/Opticianry/Optical field; and to produce well-trained, competent professionals to provide professional services to the public.
Goals
- Graduates will be employed as effective and highly skilled ophthalmic opticians, optometric assistants or ophthalmic laboratory technicians.
- Graduates will obtain the American Board of Opticianry Certification (ABOC) and become certified opticians
- Graduates will maintain the federal and state environmental regulations to eliminate hazardous and non-hazardous waste to minimum levels.
Vision Care Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree Outcomes:
- Students should be able to interpret prescriptions written by licensed practitioners to determine the frame and lens combinations that would be beneficial to the consumer.
- Students should be able to demonstrate the ability to use communication effectively using listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
- Students should be able to describe basic managerial operations, policies/procedures, and teamwork concepts in a retail environment.
The Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA) accredits the Vision Care Technology A.A.S. degree program and the Optical Laboratory Technology Certificate program.
COA Accreditation letter (PDF format)
Annual Statistic Report, Spring/Summer 2019 (PDF format)
VCT COA Certificate (PDF format)
OLT COA Certificate (PDF format)
Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA)
Debra White, Director of Accreditation
PO Box 592
Canton, NY 13617
703-4687-0566
Email:[email protected]
Website:http://www.coaccreditation.com.
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