Optical Technology
Optical Technology
Program Purpose: Students who complete the Optical Technology program will be provided the essential knowledge and skills to fabricate, fit, and dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses in manufacturing, retail, and professional vision care settings.
The Optical Technology Program is a two year associate of science (AS) degree career preparation program. The program prepares students to take for the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) examination to be licensed as an Optician. Students must complete the prerequisites, core optical technology, and general education courses to earn the AS degree.
Application Procedure
Applications to the Optical Technology Program are accepted once every other year.
The application period for receipt of applicant information by the Health Sciences Department is May 1 to May 30.
Admission Requirements
Step 1
The following courses are recommended to be taken before application to the Optical Technology program, or concurrently with the first two semesters of the core Optical Technology courses. They are not required to be completed by the time of application to the program. The courses are general education courses, and must be completed for graduation to earn the A.S. degree.
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 Courses | ||
| ENGL M01A | English Composition | 4 |
| or ENGL M01AH | Honors: English Composition | |
| MATH M03 | Intermediate Algebra (or higher) | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-5 | |
| BIOL M01 | Introduction to Biology | 4 |
| BIOL M16 | Human Biology | 3 |
| BIOL M02A | General Biology I | 5 |
| BIOL M02AH | Honors: General Biology I | 5 |
| Total Units | 29-31 | |
Step 2: General Education courses
These courses are necessary for the Associate Degree and must be completed prior to graduation.1
- 1
The recommendation is to take the general education courses prior to starting the Optical Technology Program.
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| American History and Institutions: | ||
| Course of Choice | 3 | |
| Fine or Performing Arts: | ||
| Course of Choice | 3 | |
| Humanities: | ||
| NS M17 | Healthcare Ethics | 3 |
| Kinesiology (Physical Education): | ||
| Course of Choice | 1 | |
| Physical Science: | ||
| Course of Choice | 3 | |
| Social and Behavior Science: | ||
| BUS M30 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| Total Units | 16 | |
Enrollment Process
Students may submit an Optical Technology application to the Health Sciences Department from May 1 – May 30 Monday to Thursday 8 am to 5 pm. The application deadline is noon on the final day of the application period. All official sealed college transcripts, if any, must be submitted with the application.
There will be a random selection of applicants. Each applicant will be assigned a number and placed on a waiting list. Each applicant’s number will indicate his/her place in “LINE” to enter the program. Applicants are admitted to the program by number order.
There will be alternates selected for each admission class to serve on standby for admission until the week prior to the first day of class. If not admitted, these alternates will be first admissions into the next class.
The Health Sciences Department will contact applicants regarding acceptance/admission.
Admission may be denied to an applicant who has failed or withdrew failing from a program and whose overall record makes program completion unlikely (example: two program withdrawals)
Note that admission to the program is dependent on clearance of background check and drug screen.
Ethical Expectations
All students admitted to the Optical Technology Program are expected to maintain the highest personal and ethical standards of conduct, consistent with professional standards as perceived by the faculty and professional personnel in the agencies used as extended campus sites. Any information indicating that such standards are not maintained is subject to review by members of the faculty, which may recommend to the college, dismissal from the program.
Performance Standards
In compliance with the 1990 American with Disabilities Act, the Health Sciences Department does not discriminate against qualified Optical Technology applicants with disabilities. These performance standards, reflected in specific Optical Technology course/program objectives, are to assist each applicant in determining eligibility and the need for accommodations or modifications.
The terms below describing physical functions are general in nature. Students who can perform the same actions effectively through the use of assistive technology or devices need to make an appointment with the Health Sciences Coordinator for evaluation.
Critical Thinking– ability sufficient for safe clinical judgment: calculating, reasoning, analyzing, prioritizing, synthesizing data. Make appropriate and timely decisions under stressful situations. Examples: identify cause/effect relationships in clinical situations.
Interpersonal – in providing care and service, the abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups with diverse social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds: function effectively under stress. Must demonstrate professional behavior at all times while maintaining a therapeutic relationship with clients, families, and vision care team members. Example: establish rapport with diverse clients and effectively interact with colleagues.
Communication - abilities sufficient for effective verbal and written interactions. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate grammar, vocabulary and word usage. The student must have 95% ability to communicate actions, interpret client responses, perform teaching, document vision care activities, and interact with clients, staff, faculty and peers. Examples: Explain diagnostic treatment procedures, teaching, document actions and client responses.
Hearing- ability sufficient to monitor and assess vision care needs. Examples: Ability to hear and interpret many people and correctly interpret what is heard, prescriptions whether verbal or over the telephone, client reports and cries for help, emergency and equipment alarms
Seeing- ability sufficient for observation and visual assessment in well-lit and dimly lit areas. Examples: detect signs and symptoms, coloring and body language of clients, and possible infections anywhere. Interpret written words accurately, read characters and identify colors in the client’s records and on the computer screen. Perform close and distance visual activities involving objects, persons, and paperwork, as well as discriminate depth and color perception.
Tactile- ability sufficient for physical assessment and positioning. Examples: Perform Palpation of the eye and related areas to determine the integrity of the underlying structures. Includes palpation of certain cardiovascular pulses.
Manipulating- gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective care. The student must demonstrate the ability to have hand-wrist movement, hand-eye coordination, simple firm grasping and fine and gross motor dexterity. Examples: Calibrate, move, and use equipment/machines; lift, position, and transfer clients; produce clear and precise written information, grasp and control medical equipment.
Mobility- physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room, maneuver in small spaces and retrieve overhead equipment. Examples: Move around clients’ rooms, equipment/machines, workspaces, and diagnostic/treatment areas.
Standing/Walking- The student must be able to move forward, backward, and laterally on carpet, tile, linoleum, asphalt and cement while providing and managing client care, gathering supplies and, obtaining and returning equipment. Approximate distance = 3 to 6 miles. It is also necessary for a student to have the capability of maintaining an upright position during many functions.
Sitting- The student must be able to sit while communicating with or teaching clients, operating computers, answering the telephone, writing reports and documenting,
Lifting- The student must be able to lift floor to knee, knee to waist, and waist to shoulder level while handling supplies (5-10 lbs.). Lift and transfer clients, medical equipment and supplies up to 6 inches from a stooped position, then push or pull the weight up to 3 feet. Average lifting requirement is 50 pounds.
Carrying- The student must demonstrate the ability to carry items at waist level.
Pushing/Pulling- The student must be able to effectively move carts, open and close doors and drawers, and to move equipment and furniture.
Climbing/Balancing- The student must demonstrate the ability to navigate stairs going to and from other departments, and offices.
Stooping/Kneeling- The student must demonstrate the ability to move to low enough positions to retrieve supplies from carts and cabinets, etc.
Bending-The student must demonstrate the ability to move into appropriate positions while performing client assessments and treatments, gathering supplies, assisting clients with positioning.
Crouching/Crawling- The student must demonstrate the ability to retrieve items from under carts, equipment, etc.
Reaching/Stretching/Twisting-The student must demonstrate the ability to extend their reach and move appropriately when gathering supplies and equipment, operating computers and equipment, administering care, assisting with client positioning, cleaning or disposing equipment and retrieving client files.
Travel Expectations: The clinical sites extend from northern Ventura County to eastern most portions of the San Fernando Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley, within an approximate 40-mile radius from Moorpark College. Each student is responsible for his or her own transportation.
Program Completion
For successful completion of the Optical Technology Program, a minimum grade of C (75%) is necessary in all courses required for the major.
Program Costs
Costs incurred by optical technology students include, but are not limited to: Background check and drug screen, and uniform.
Introduces the fundamental concepts and principles of light and geometric properties of optics. Covers lens theory and design, frame design, and their application to ophthalmic lenses. Presents the history, basic manufacturing, and quality standards of ophthalmic lenses.
Applies concepts learned to perform fundamental clinical skills in a clinical agency optical laboratory under the direction and supervision of a licensed ophthalmic professional. Emphasizes attainment of knowledge, skills, and attitude that meet professional standards. Enrollment is limited to those students who have been admitted to the MC Optical Technology Program. A clear background check and drug screen are required for placement in the clinical setting.
Presents the terminology, equipment, lens materials, and frames utilized to create prescription ophthalmic eyewear. Focuses on the lensometry and fabrication of single vision eyewear while emphasizing personal and environmental safety practices.
Introduces the theoretical basis of client care and service as a dispensing optician. Focuses on lens and frame styles and materials, lens treatment and selection, optical measurements, and frame adjustments and repair.
Provides opportunity to apply the basic concepts to perform the skills of a dispensing optician at a clinical agency, under the supervision of an ophthalmic professional. Emphasizes client measurements, frame and lens materials, frame and lens selection, prescription interpretation, and adjustment techniques.
Covers the manufacture of eyewear with advanced prescriptions and frames. Focuses on optic examination and determination of ophthalmic prisms using a single vision lens power. Introduces multifocal and progressive lens characteristics, along with specialized procedures utilized in construction of various rimless mounted lenses.
Provides opportunity to apply concepts to perform advanced techniques in a clinical agency optical laboratory under the direction and supervision of a licensed ophthalmic professional. Includes an emphasis on multifocal, progressive, and occupational lenses; lens treatments; and prisms. Focuses on attainment of knowledge, skills, and attitude that meet professional standards.
Presents the terminology, equipment, and lens materials to manufacture eyewear with advanced prescriptions and frames. Emphasizes optic analysis of ophthalmic prisms using a single vision lens power. Introduces verification and neutralization techniques for single vision lenses and bifocals, frame repair, producing prescribed prism by decentration, semi-rimless glasses, and multifocal glasses while emphasizing personal and environmental safety practices.
Focuses on the advanced knowledge and skills necessary for dispensing opticians. Presents client profile analysis, multifocal analysis, lens measurement, design and fitting characteristics, properties of anti-reflective and absorptive lenses, sports eyewear, and adjustment techniques. Includes ethics, laws, and regulations related to dispensing optical eyewear.
Provides an opportunity to apply advanced concepts to refine the skills required of a dispensing optician at a clinical agency, under the supervision of an ophthalmic professional. Focuses on client measurements, frame and lens materials, frame and lens selection, prescription interpretation, and adjustment techniques. Includes the business aspects of the optical dispensary.
Focuses on the anatomical structures and the function of the eye and the various body systems and principles of human physiology that affect the visual system. Provides an overview of common ocular pathologies and anomalies with their corresponding etiologies, diagnostic tests, and treatments.
Presents the history and development of contact lenses. Introduces basic principles and techniques of contact lens fitting, design, materials, and terminology. Covers contact lens insertion and removal techniques, and basic slit lamp and keratometry skills.
Covers the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the anterior segment of the eye and associated structures. Compares the philosophies, fitting, and designs of soft and rigid gas permeable contact lens; and solutions for contact lenses. Includes verification and modification of contact lenses, client evaluation and education, and regulations for contact lenses.
Provides opportunity to apply the concepts and skills to address the contact lens needs of patients at a clinical agency, under the supervision of an ophthalmic professional. Emphasizes the professional standards for the indication and operation of optic equipment in contact lens measurement, inspection, verification, and modification. Includes fitting and evaluating fit of contact lenses and patient education.