Course description
This course introduces students to the lab skills for quality control of contact lens materials, solutions, and their ocular applications. It also provides students with the ability to calibrate, maintain and implement the usage of the equipment and tools associated within the contact lens dispensary. Students will gain further experience with the use of automated refraction equipment. Students will practice the skills required to assimilate information collected on contact lens materials, solutions, as well as techniques for ocular application and refractive error correction.
Course content
- Introduction
- Laboratory objectives
- Orientation to laboratory instruments and equipment
- Laboratory hygiene
- Equipment sterilization
- Traditional and Computerized Diagnostic Technologies
- Slit lamp biomicroscope
- Profile analyzer
- Vertex conversion chart
- Snellen chart
- Automated corneal topography
- Keratometry
- Hand loop
- Dioptric conversion chart
- Acuity trial lens set
- Autorefractor
- Lensometer
- Diameter gauge
- Phoroptor
- Lens Types, Material Characteristics, Fitting, and Relationship to Ocular Health
- Material compounds
- Material configurations and design
- Lens parameter determination
- Chemical properties of contact lenses
- Manufacturer’s material limitations
- Contact Lens Solution Properties, Chemical Compounds, Procedures, and Relationship to Ocular Health
- Chemical disinfection systems
- Hydrogen peroxide disinfection
- Surfactant cleaners
- Enzyme cleaners
- Rewetting agents
- Medically prescribed ocular pharmaceutical agents
- Automated Sight Testing
- The process of refraction
- Equipment and function
- Subjective and objective refraction
- Autorefraction
- Tonometry
- Professional standards of practice
- Professional Relationship with the Patient
- Communication and patient interaction
- New fit routine
- Follow-up routine
Learning activities
- Lectures
- Independent study of courseware
- Independent completion of online self-assessment quizzes
- Completion of field assignments
- Participation in online Discussion Forums
Means of assessment
The course evaluation is consistent with Douglas College evaluation policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate competency with the use of instruments for contact lens fitting, lens analysis, and refractive error
- Collect, record, and interpret data and patient health information during a routine contact lens fitting and refractive error determination
- Gain knowledge of contact lens materials by manufacturer, label name, material compound names, water content, power range and recommended patient fitting procedure and wearing schedule
- Recall knowledge of contact lens cold disinfection systems, lens storage solutions, surfactant cleaning solutions, enzyme cleaners, rewetting agents, and medically prescribed pharmaceutical agents
- Describe the physical cleaning and disinfection of contact lenses
- Recall knowledge of contact lens solutions by manufacturer, brand name, chemical ingredients, and recommended usage.
- Describe the steps in the refraction process and use the equipment necessary to produce the patient’s refractive error assessment.
- Recall knowledge of the automated refractive error assessment within the context of the overall eye exam.
- Describe concepts of boutique eyeglass and contact lens dispensing
- Describe limitations and contraindications to the automated refractive error assessment according to the Professional Standards of Practice
Textbook materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.