Vision Care Technology, A.A.S.

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code: 5212
Curriculum Code: 549.VIS
Health Sciences Division

Pre-Admission Recommendations: 2 years Math
Recommended High School Courses and/or Experiences: Math II, Gen. Science
Career Opportunities/Further Education: Opticians, Optometrist, Ophthalmic Assistant, Large and Small Independent Offices, Health Maintenance Organizations, Wholesale Ophthalmic Medical Sales

Program Description

The Vision Care Technology Program offers classroom, clinical and laboratory training utilizing state of the art instrumentation in preparation for careers in the vision care field.

With the increase in the nation’s population and the aging of the baby boom generation, the demand for vision care services and a trained corps of ophthalmic professionals has risen. This demand exists in private optometric and ophthalmological practices, national vision centers, health maintenance organizations, laser surgery and specialty practices, laboratory and ophthalmic sales.

Among program goals is the provision of necessary theoretical and practical training to enable students to successfully complete the American Board of Opticianry, National Contact Lens Examination and New York State licensing exams in Ophthalmic Dispensing and Contact Lenses.

Classroom lectures, clinics and laboratories involve skills training in lensometry, pupillometry, keratometry, biomicroscopy, tonometry, perimetry, auto-refraction, corneal topography and retinal imaging. Students are trained in the use of computers to maintain patient’s protected health information and prescription requirements.

To complement classroom and laboratory training, students will participate in two clinical externships at participating optometric and ophthalmological private practices and vision centers. The program has over 70 affiliated and approved vision care sites in Western New York.

Second year students gain purposeful clinical experience through supervised participation in the Community Eye Clinic at Friends of Night People which offers eye examinations and prescription eyeglasses to those in need in the community.  

Upon graduation of the program students participate in credentialing exams administered by the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners and state licensure exams through the Office of Professions, New York State Education Department. 

Accreditation

Commission on Opticianry Accreditation 
229 East 85th Street #194
New York, NY 10028
director@COAccreditation.com 
Voice: 315-742-8066

Licensure Compliance Statement

Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified. The Vision Care Technology/AAS program at SUNY Erie Community College is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that Vision Care Technology/AAS program at SUNY Erie Community College does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in any other U.S. State.  However, it is important to note that SUNY Erie Community College is not the licensure/certification authority in any U.S. State and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in any U.S. State and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.

Special Admission Requirements/Prerequisite

• Applicant must be a high school graduate.
• Advance transfer credit for general education or professional courses in which a “C” or above was earned may be arranged when course descriptions match SUNY Erie courses.
• In addition to tuition, students will be responsible for paying for a set of ophthalmic tools, lab coat, liability insurance and a name tag for use in off-campus clinical work.
• Students are responsible for providing transportation to off campus fieldwork sites utilized for general dispensing practice course.
• Exceptions to the above criteria may be made for returning adult students and for those currently working in the field.

Scholarships

The following scholarships are awarded to the Ophthalmic Dispensing student population annually:

• NYSSO Student Scholarship, sponsored by the New York State Society of Opticians
• NFOS College Bowl Accommodations Award; sponsored by National Federation of Opticianry Schools
• Lenscrafters Scholarships, sponsored by Lenscrafters, Inc.
• Richard Terry Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by friends of Dick Terry
• Corky Fratello Scholarship, sponsored by the Optical Society of WNY
• Eyewear by ROI Scholarship, sponsored by Eyewear by ROI

Students are encouraged to participate in additional academic scholarship award contests provided on a local and national basis. Scholarships are available to matriculated students only.

Program Goals

• Train students for professional employment in the ophthalmic field through comprehensive theoretical instruction strengthened by guided clinical experiences relevant to current industry needs.
• Maintain a program that respects the rights and dignity of all students to facilitate optimal learning, professional growth and promote ethical patient care.
• Insure a safe and healthy work environment and to be in compliance with all federal and state environmental regulations relative to fabrication, dispensing and contact lens labs and clinics.
• Prepare students for successful completion of the National Opticianry Competency Exam (NOCE) offered by the American Board of Opticianry and the Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE) offered by the National Contact Lens Examiners.  Success on each of these national certification exams enables graduates to sit for respective New York State Licensing Exams in Ophthalmic Dispensing and Contact Lenses administered through the Office of Professions, New York State Education Department. 

Program Competencies

Upon graduation with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing, the graduate will be able to:

1. determine patient needs, make frame and lens type recommendations and illustrate and demonstrate the use and application of the appropriate ophthalmic products to fulfill the patient’s visual requirements;
2. detect and verify prescription irregularities by applying knowledge of ophthalmic terminology and principles of refraction;
3. perform ophthalmic and medical history taking and basic ophthalmic screening procedures demonstrating proper utilization of ophthalmic instrumentation and procedures;
4. demonstrate eyewear fabrication laboratory skills within American National Standards Institute standards;
5. use instrumentation and other empirical methods to determine appropriate contact lens type and lens design ensuring ocular integrity, patient comfort and good visual acuity;
6. conduct a diagnostic contact lens evaluation based on patient’s prescription and keratometric readings and determine the need for modification of lens design;
7. conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner by adhering to ethical standards, being courteous, demonstrating proper manners and professional demeanor;
8. participate in the New York State licensing examination for Ophthalmic Dispenser and Contact Lens Fitter and the National American Board of Opticianry Certification Exam and the National Contact Lens Examiners Registry Exam; and
9. comply with all safety and environmental regulations relative to fabrication, dispensing, contact lens laboratories and clinics.

Curriculum

Total Degree Credits: 63.5