Course Description
This course provides learning opportunities in contact lens and optical technologies at an advanced level. Students will apply knowledge and skills from related theory and laboratory courses to the clinical dispensary. Students will complete their clinical practice in the on-campus contact lens lab or off-campus retail dispensary under the direct supervision of a licensed eye care professional.
Course Content
Introduction
- clinical objectives
- clinical and personal hygiene
Traditional and computerized diagnostic technologies
- slit lamp biomicroscope
- vertex conversion chart
- Snellen chart
- phoropter
- autorefractor
- keratometry
- hand loupe
- dioptric conversion chart
- acuity trial lens set
- automated corneal topography
- tonometry
- retinoscopy
- lensometer
- diameter gauge
- low vision devices
Pre-fit evaluation soft and gas permeable contact lenses
- ocular health assessment
- recognition of ocular pathology
- abnormalities affecting soft and gas permeable lens wear
- lifestyle considerations for soft and gas permeable lens wear
- interpretation of refractive errors for soft and gas permeable lenses
- corneal defects, deformities, and injuries
Lens parameter determination
Lens care
- chemical disinfection systems
- ultrasonic disinfection systems
- surfactant cleaners
- enzyme cleaners
- rewetting agents
Fitting procedure for soft and gas permeable lenses
Patient compliance, instruction and dispensing procedures
Patient follow-up care and evaluation
- instrumentation and differential diagnosis
- keratometry and biomicroscopy
- post-fit assessment
- corneal health assessment
- differential diagnosis and troubleshooting
- phoropter / trial lens set
- visual acuity verification
- over-refraction
- Follow-up protocol for soft and gas permeable lens designs
- aspheric
- bitoric
- presbyopic
- front toric
- prism ballast
- aphakic
- back toric
- keratoconus
- cosmetic
- Follow-up protocol – fitting issues
Communication and interaction with patients
- Cultural safety and humility
- Patient-provider relationships
- Informed consent
- Patient file documentation
- Appropriate patient referral
Means of Assessment
This is a mastery course. Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Students will receive detailed outlines of performance expectations at the beginning of the course. Evaluation for mastery will include the following components:
- satisfactory performance of objectives as assessed by the course instructor and in conjunction with the supervising licensed eyecare professional.
Evaluation records will be completed by the course instructor following consultation with the student and with the supervising licensed eyecare professional.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:
- obtain a general contact lens history from the patient
- determine what diagnostic activities must be conducted to meet the criteria for a well-fitting contact lens
- use instrumentation and other provisional methods to determine appropriate gas permeable contact lens types and designs
- interpret patient refractive error, keratometry readings, and automated corneal topography
- discuss contact lens options with the patient
- conduct a diagnostic evaluation of a contact lens using reality and simulation software
- educate the patient on lens insertion, removal, and care
- conduct a contact lens follow-up examination
- make necessary modifications to improve contact lens fitting characteristics
- verify visual acuity by over-refraction
- perform the automated refraction procedure
- 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
No textbooks required. A student practicum manual will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.