Optometric Technician

This course is focused on the critical appraisal of evidence and its application to nursing care of adult(s) with complex health problems. Patient(s) may be in acute care, transitional care and/or a community setting. Prerequisites: NUR330, NUR335, NUR340, NUR350, NUR375 Terms Offered: As needed

This is a synthesis course that requires the RN to BSN student to demonstrate mastery of skills learned in general education and nursing courses. Special emphasis placed on the implementation of change in response to identified needs/problems in selected healthcare setting. The major assignment is an evidence-based *Practice Experience project that grows out of the student’s interest related to specific patient populations, professional nursing roles, and/or the healthcare setting. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all other course requirements in the Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Nursing (RN to BSN). Terms Offered: As needed

An asterisk (*) denotes a C is required to progress. A plus (+) denotes a C+ is required to progress.

Basic Optometric Science is a course that will cover a basic overview of the anatomy and physiology of the eye including the components and normal processes of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, and lymphatic systems. The course will review ocular pathophysiology and focus on the structures and functions of the human visual system related to common systemic conditions disease processes, disorders, and aging. Students will identify the specific structures involved with common systemic and ocular diseases, disorders, and age-related problems. The course will also review the history of optometry, relationships between optometry and ophthalmology and various paraprofessional careers in vision care. The course will also familiarize students with basic understanding of ocular pharmacology. It will also provide the student an introduction to office procedures relating to the diagnosis of ocular disorders, treatment with lenses and installation of ocular pharmaceuticals, as well as how to properly document in medical records. as well as the study of and practical experience in patient pre-testing such as case history, visual acuity, color vision, pupil evaluation and depth perception, as well as the specialized testing procedures such as keratometry and blood pressure. A review of vocabulary including but not limited to common medical terms concerning ocular and systemic conditions. will also be incorporated throughout the course as well as prescription interpretation. Terms Offered: As needed

Students will utilize techniques to obtain medical and ophthalmic history, transcribe information into the medical chart, and demonstrate appropriate use of common terms/ abbreviations used for patient intake. This course also provides students with an understanding of basic optics test principles and techniques including visual acuity testing, applanation tonometry, pupillary assessment, confrontation visual fields, tear function, color plates, ocular motility testing, stereo acuity testing, keratometry, and blood pressure. Included is a review of basic math needed in vision care and the physiological aspects of vision such as subjective refraction, visual field testing, slit lamp, Goldmann and non-contact tonometry. Basic concepts of orthoptics and the treatment of eye diseases including instillation of eye medications and eye patching is discussed and demonstrated. Terms Offered: As needed

This course provides students with an understanding of theory and practical application of basic optical principles, with a focus on the human eye. It provides the student experience and knowledge in areas of special vision care and covers basic optical concepts such as the properties of light and the function of a lens in vision correction. Included is a review of basic math needed in vision care and the physiological aspects of vision such as subjective refraction, visual field testing, slit lamp, Goldmann and non-contact tonometry. Basic dispensing, lens measuring techniques, use of lens clock, interpupillary distance measurement, lensometry to verify prescriptions, frame definition, parts and types of frames, measurement of frames and lenses, alignment of frames and other optics, and dispensing topics are covered. Students will also demonstrate the ability to perform and evaluate contact lens fitting, contact lens care and education. Maintenance and use of ophthalmic equipment are also addressed. Prerequisite: OPT115 Terms Offered: As needed

This course begins the study of the neutralization and verification of spectacle lens powers, to include spherical, cylindrical, and prism lenses. Fundamentals of diagnostic testing, visual field testing, clinical optics, refractometry and retinoscopy and refinement are discussed. The use of general ophthalmic equipment including instrument preparation, refractive surgery, and intraocular injections, imaging, ultrasound biometry and videography applications are also covered. It also discusses ocular manifestations of various diseases and the use of common ophthalmic surgical instruments used to treat the conditions. This course provides students with an understanding of how to assist in clinical surgical procedures, aseptic techniques. Various special procedures are covered like meibography, ancillary testing, macular piment optical density, aberrometry, and contrast sensitivity tests. Prerequisite: OPT115 Terms Offered: As needed

This course provides students with an understanding of their vocational responsibilities as and Optometric Technician. Rights and responsibilities of patients, healthcare providers, and professional liability as it relates to negligence and malpractice are covered. Confidentiality, HIPAA, and public duties of healthcare providers, regulatory, legal issues, and scope of practice are discussed. Patient education on testing procedures, prescriptions, and supplements is also discussed. This course provides students with a more in depth look into the study of front office management techniques including telephone and appointment book management, filing, recall systems, bookkeeping, and insurance claim processing. Terms Offered: As needed

This is an 8-week internship. (320 hours) The internship experience at Central Penn allows students to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to the working environment. This experience is the capstone for all Optometric classes and will prepare students to take the Certified Paraoptometric Technician (CPOA) Exam through the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC). Through this experience, students will deliver services in an ethical, safe, and effective manner as evidenced by good clinical judgment. Students will also demonstrate a professional attitude and communicate effectively with members of the healthcare field. Students will participate 40 hours per week for eight weeks of assigned clinical experience in an optometric or clinic setting. The student is expected to achieve specific educational objectives determined for this experience. Prerequisite: OPT160 - Concurrent with OPT170 Terms Offered: As needed