Course

Opticianry Clinical Practice

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Opticianry
Course Code
OPTI 1210
Credits
4.00
Semester Length
15
Max Class Size
15
Method(s) Of Instruction
Practicum
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

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.

Requisites

Prerequisites

OPTI 1100 and OPTI 1112

Students in the OPTI program are required to maintain a passing grade of 60% (C) in all courses except Mastery graded courses in order to progress in the program.

Corequisites

Courses listed here must be taken simultaneously with this course.

OPTI 1200 and OPTI 1212

Equivalencies

DOPT 1210

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for OPTI 1210
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum Seats
15
Currently Enrolled
15
Remaining Seats:
0
On Waitlist
0
Building
Off Campus Location
Room
None
Times:
Start Time
9:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section Notes

Off Campus practicum

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum Seats
15
Currently Enrolled
13
Remaining Seats:
2
On Waitlist
0
Building
Off Campus Location
Room
None
Times:
Start Time
9:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section Notes

Off Campus practicum