Career and Program Description
Those training in the Eye Technician program develop skills to perform ophthalmic procedures under the supervision of a licensed physician. These procedures include: medical histories, diagnostic tests, refractometry, anatomical and functional ocular measurements and tests, administration of topical ophthalmic and oral medications, instructing patients, maintaining equipment, sterilizing surgical instruments, assisting in minor ophthalmic surgery and assisting in the fitting of contact lenses. Eye Technicians are also trained in ophthalmic photography, biometry and ultrasonography. Ophthalmic technology is a rapidly expanding field and a growing demand exists for Certified Ophthalmic Technicians.
The Eye Technician program is a limited entry program with restricted enrollment. The program is limited to 24-28 students. Only those students who have been officially admitted to the Eye Technician program may enroll in Eye Technician courses. Professionals in the field may be admitted when space is available.
This program is designed to correlate classroom and laboratory experiences with clinical experience in ophthalmic offices and clinics and prepares students to function under the supervision of a licensed physician.
This program is accredited by the International Council of Accreditation (ICA). Students in the Eye Technician program will test for an internationally recognized Certified Ophthalmic Technician certification during term four of the program.
Degree and Certificate Offered
One-Year Certificate
Eye Technician
Academic Prerequisites
- Completion of MTH 20 with a "C" or "P" or better or equivalent placement.
- Completion of (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 with a "C" or "P" or better or equivalent placement.
- Completion of MP 113 and PSY 101 (or an approved PSY course - see advising), with a "C" or "P" or better.
Academic Co-requisites
- These courses are encouraged to take prior to the start of the program to lighten class load, but may be taken as a co-requisite.
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Completion of MP 111 with a "C" or "P" or better.
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Completion of OMT 115 or OMT 100 with a "C" or "P" or better.
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Academic Requirements
- This is a limited entry program. A complete application including two recommendation forms and unofficial transcripts from any colleges attended other than PCC is required.
- Students may consult with faculty advisor about alternative approaches to completing portions of the Eye Technician curricula.
- To advance to the next term students must successfully complete all of the previous terms coursework by receiving a grade of "C" or "P" or better.
Non-Academic Prerequisites
- Students must have working knowledge or background of basic computer skills including Windows, Internet and e-mail.
- Program advising session with a Healthcare & Emergency Professions Advisor is recommended.
Non-Academic Requirements
- After admission to the program, but before beginning practicum (week 4 of the 1st term of the program), students may be required to complete the following:
- Background Check - pass a Criminal History Check (CHC). This is required by OAR407-007-0200.
- Clear Drug Test - pass a 10-panel drug screening. Please note, clinical sites may require additional, and/or random, drug screenings.
- HIPAA training
- Ophthalmic Scribe Certification
- CPR/First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogen training
- Proof of immunity with blood titers, or proof of the following vaccinations and screenings is required:
- Tetanus(Tdap)/Td or Tdap booster – current within the last ten years
- Varicella: two shots or blood titer lab results
- Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR): two shots or blood titer lab results
- Hepatitis B Vaccine: two dose or three dose series or blood titer lab results
- Two dose series: Dose1 & 2: 1 month apart
- Three dose series: Dose1 & 2: 1 month apart, dose 2 & 3: 5 months apart
- COVID-19: (recommended but not required). Some clinical sites may require COVID-19 Vaccination
- Tuberculosis Screening: Note: must be within 6 months of the start of the program and every 12 months thereafter. A positive test will require a clear chest x-ray.
- TB Screening can be met by either submitting blood test results for the QuantiFERON - TB Gold or T-SPOT.
- Influenza: recommended annually – some clinical sites may require a flu shot or to wear a mask.
- Cost of vaccinations and any screenings is the financial responsibility of the student.
- Students must have transportation to practicum facilities throughout the Portland metropolitan area.
Eye Technician One-Year Certificate
Minimum 58 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements.
Eye Technician Certificate Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OMT 100 | Introduction to Ophthalmics | 1 |
| OMT 150 | Ocular Anatomy and Physiology | 2 |
| OMT 151 | Ocular Disease | 2 |
| OMT 152 | Ocular Pharmacology | 2 |
| OMT 160 | Clinical Optics § | 4 |
| OMT 162 | Ophthalmic Office Procedures | 2 |
| OMT 164 | Introduction to Clinical Skills | 3 |
| OMT 166 | Practicum Prep | 1 |
| OMT 168 | Ophthalmic Practicum I § | 3 |
| OMT 268 | Ophthalmic Practicum II § | 6 |
| OMT 270 | Ocular Motility | 2 |
| OMT 272 | Diagnostic Procedures I | 3 |
| OMT 274 | Contact Lenses | 2 |
| OMT 278 | Ophthalmic Practicum III § | 6 |
| OMT 281 | Ophthalmic Imaging | 2 |
| OMT 282 | Diagnostic Procedures II | 3 |
| OMT 288 | Ophthalmic Practicum IV § | 6 |
| OMT 290 | Surgical Assisting | 3 |
| OMT 292 | Advanced Diagnostics | 3 |
| OMT 294 | COT Exam Prep | 2 |
| Total Credits | 58 | |
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Course cannot be substituted for another course.
OMT 100. Introduction to Ophthalmics. 1 Credit.
Introduces ophthalmology, the history of ophthalmology, and key ophthalmic professions. Explores the roles and responsibilities of ophthalmic technicians and other allied health personnel in ophthalmology, industry standards and professional organizations. Covers ethics of patient care, confidentiality, privacy, scope of practice and employment opportunities. Covers office efficiency, professionalism, and risk management. Includes HIPAA training and confidentiality for healthcare workers. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 150. Ocular Anatomy and Physiology. 2 Credits.
Introduces the structure and function of the human visual system. Covers the anatomy and physiology of the eyeball, orbit, and ocular adnexa with an emphasis on ocular terminology. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 151. Ocular Disease. 2 Credits.
Covers major ocular diseases and related structures integrated with symptomatology and treatment. Introduces ophthalmic drugs. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 152. Ocular Pharmacology. 2 Credits.
Details major classifications of ophthalmic drugs, mechanisms of action, side effects, first aid techniques for acute ophthalmic drug reactions. Explores the relationship of ocular pathology and medications used for treatment. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 160. Clinical Optics. 4 Credits.
Presents basic optical principles and the human eye from both theoretical and practical standpoints. Explores prisms, basic dispensing, techniques for measuring types of lenses, Slit lamp biomicroscopy, retinoscopy and refractometry, and principles of low vision.
Introduces mathematics used in optical prescriptions, manufacturing and dispensing. Applies basic principles governing transmission of light and its interaction with optical media. Includes experimentation to visually inform the student of the laws of geometric optics. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 162. Ophthalmic Office Procedures. 2 Credits.
Covers front office techniques, including basic functions of the medical office. Develops skills needed to obtain accurate patient visual acuity. Includes practicing preliminary examination skills required for a complete ocular examination. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 164. Introduction to Clinical Skills. 3 Credits.
Covers basic test principles and techniques including FDT, tangent screen and Humphery visual fields, keratometry, and noncontact, TonoPen, and applanation tonometry. Covers ocular history taking and prepares the student to take the iJCAHPO Ophthalmic Scribe Certification. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 166. Practicum Prep. 1 Credit.
Covers medical ethics review, patient confidentiality, professionalism, and communication skills. Focuses on creating a chief complaint, ophthalmic scribing, and history of present illness (HPI) in an ophthalmology practice. Includes demonstrating electronic health record (EHR) documentation through simulated practice and medical coding. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 168. Ophthalmic Practicum I. 3 Credits.
Develops entry-level skills in the use and care of ophthalmic equipment, basic screening techniques, obtaining pertinent patient ocular/medical history, diagnostic and examination procedures, medication (pharmacology and administration) and handling of patients in an ophthalmic practice. Prerequisites: MP 113, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval.
OMT 268. Ophthalmic Practicum II. 6 Credits.
Provides introductory clinical education experience in local ophthalmic practices and health care facilities under the supervision of facility personnel. Includes exposure to working conditions and skills needed while performing ophthalmic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Prerequisites: OMT 168, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval.
OMT 270. Ocular Motility. 2 Credits.
Explores ocular motility, associated testing and measurements required for evaluation. Emphasizes understanding the presentation, characteristics and history of the strabismus patient. Discusses amblyopia treatment and therapies. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 272. Diagnostic Procedures I. 3 Credits.
Introduces and reviews fundamentals of diagnostic testing and techniques including: applanation tonometry, slit lamp biomicroscopy, Goldmann and automated perimetry, ocular motility and advanced keratometry.Emphasizes building clinical skills. Prerequisites: OMT 162 and OMT 164, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 274. Contact Lenses. 2 Credits.
Covers fundamentals of contact lens. Reviews principles of lens structures, materials used in manufacture, categorization, comparison of characteristics of soft and rigid lenses. Includes theory and utilization of instruments commonly used in fitting and assessing contact lenses. Includes use of keratometer, biomicroscope, radiuscope, lensometer, gauges, loupes, magnifiers and fluorescein dye and cobalt blue filter. Covers the basic evaluation of contact lens fit, patient education regarding insertion, removal, care and handling of contact lenses in the clinical setting. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 278. Ophthalmic Practicum III. 6 Credits.
Provides intermediate clinical education experience in local ophthalmic practices and health care facilities under the supervision of facility personnel. Includes exposure to working conditions and skills needed while performing ophthalmic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Prerequisites: OMT 268, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval.
OMT 281. Ophthalmic Imaging. 2 Credits.
Introduces the common forms of ophthalmic imaging, OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) ophthalmic photography (Fundus and Slit Lamp) and FA (Fluorescein Angiography), FAF (Fundus Autofluorescence). Includes other types of imaging used in Ophthalmology (CT, MRI, CCT, HRT, Ultrasound, and External Photography). Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 282. Diagnostic Procedures II. 3 Credits.
Presents the principles of advanced visual field examination with emphasis on Goldmann Perimetry. Covers the principles and techniques of exophthalmometry, color and function tests, ocular motility and echography. Focuses on skill development and increasing speed and accuracy. Prepares for employment opportunities in the ophthalmic setting. Prerequisites: OMT 272, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 288. Ophthalmic Practicum IV. 6 Credits.
Provides ongoing and advanced clinical education experience in local ophthalmic practices and health care facilities under the supervision of facility personnel. Includes exposure to working conditions and skills needed while performing ophthalmic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Prerequisites: OMT 278, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval.
OMT 290. Surgical Assisting. 3 Credits.
Addresses the technician's role in assisting in minor office surgeries, hospital-based OR or ASC surgery and laser procedures. Includes aseptic technique, scrubbing, gowning and gloving, sterilization of instruments, proper disposition of supplies/medications and regulations pertaining to surgical centers. Covers intraocular injections and refractive surgery. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 292. Advanced Diagnostics. 3 Credits.
Focuses on more advanced diagnostic procedures including electrophysiology tests, direct ophthalmoscopy, advanced color testing, glaucoma techniques, and retinoscopy. Covers the technician's role in assisting in the management of preoperative and post-operative patients. Includes more advanced ophthalmic procedures such as ultrasound, potential acuity meter, direct ophthalmoscopy and contrast sensitivity. Addresses microbiology and specimen collection for the laboratory. Explores employment opportunities and cultural diversity in an ophthalmic clinical setting. Prerequisites: OMT 282, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.
OMT 294. COT Exam Prep. 2 Credits.
Reviews major ophthalmic subject areas in preparation for the Certified Ophthalmic Technician exam. Explores testing strategies and exam preparedness techniques. Provides an overall review in preparation for the international certification examination. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and admission to the OMT Program or Program Director approval. Audit available.