Course Description
This course provides the learning opportunities for students in the Opticianry Program to apply knowledge and skills from related theory and laboratory courses to the optical dispensary. Students will be placed into retail optical practices, and will apply their opticianry skills under direct supervision of a licensed eyecare professional and program instructor.
Course Content
Introduction
- Clinical objectives
- Professionalism in the dispensary
Frame Analysis and Procedure
- Identification of materials and fitting design philosophy
- Frame part functions
- Verification of manufacturer specifications
- Neutral frame alignment
- Adjustment frames on patients
- Frame selection with patients
Single Vision Lens Analysis and Procedure
- Product knowledge development
- Prescription interpretation
- Interpupillary distance measurement
- Vertex distance measurement
- Lab order form completion
- Verification of completed eyewear
- Eyewear delivery to patient
Multifocal/Progressive Lens Analysis and Procedure
- Product knowledge development
- Prescription interpretation
- Interpupillary distance measurement
- Main reference point for multifocal and progressive lenses
- Lab order form completion
- Verification of completed eyewear
- Eyewear delivery to patient
- Eyewear care for patients
Prior Prescriptions and Fitting Methods
- Neutralization of prior prescriptions
- Determination of lens material and type
- Optical centre and main reference point placement
Problem Solving / Patient Adaptation
- Interpretation of patient concerns
- Frame fitting analysis
- Verification of lens power, optical centres and reference points
- Verification of visual acuity with prescription
Professional Dispensing Development
-
Customer acknowledgment
-
The positive approach
- Choosing product by price
Communication and interaction with patients
- Cultural safety and humility
- Patient-provider relationships
- Informed consent
- Patient file documentation
- Appropriate patient referral
Learning Activities
Supervised clinical experience
Means of Assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.
This is a Mastery course. Attendance is mandatory for successful completion of the course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:
- identify frame fitting philosophies;
- apply appropriate frame fitting techniques to facial shapes and contours;
- align frames to neutral position and adjust frames to patient needs;
- interpret prescription and patient requirements and dispense appropriate lenses and frames;
- interpret multifocal prescriptions;
- measure patient interpupillary distance for both distance and reading vision;
- measure vertex distance;
- measure major reference point for fitting of single vision, multifocal and progressive lenses;
- complete lab order forms for lens and frame ordering;
- complete patient records;
- analyze patient’s prior eyeglasses for duplicating eyewear;
- fit and dispense prescriptions for high powered lenses;
- solve patient problems during adaptation;
- incorporate cultural safety and humility in opticianry practices;
- discuss the history and ongoing effects of colonization on the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, including disparities of power in patient-provider relationships;
- identify situations where informed consent may be problematic and take appropriate steps to ensure patient understanding;
- adhere to infection prevention and control measures established by jurisdiction and national regulatory bodies;
- recognize significant signs and symptoms in relation to the patient's eyes to identify the need for referral.
Textbook Materials
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
Stein, Stein and Freeman, The Ophthalmic Assistant: A Text for Allied and Associated Ophthalmic Personnel, current edition, Elsevier.