Course Description
This course provides learning opportunities for students in the Opticianry Program to consolidate knowledge and skills gained in all of the first-year courses. Students will be placed into a retail optical dispensary under the supervision of a licensed eye care professional who will act as a supervisor. Students will be expected to carry out the workload of a beginning optician (eyeglasses) at the conclusion of the course.
Course Content
Introduction
- assignment to optical supervisor
- supervisor objectives
- orientation with the supervising Optician
Application of theoretical and practical skills
- instrumentation
- lens dispensing
- frame dispensing
- product knowledge
- lens materials and functions
- frame materials and functions
Laboratory process
- edging and finishing
- insertion and alignment
- neutralization and verification
- repairing and soldering
- optical onsiderations as they may arise in
- high myopia and hyperopia
- strabismus in children
- special needs for presbyopia
- fitting anisometropia patients
- fitting aphakic patients
Application of communication skills
- interaction with patient
- professional and ethical behaviour
- telephone communication
- initiating contact
- appropriate questioning
- handling customer complaints
- written communication
- patient record-keeping
- laboratory order forms
- inventory ordering/receiving forms
Application of business skills
- record keeping
- patient files
- inventory tracking
- shipping/receiving
Communication and interaction with patients
- cultural safety and humility
- patient-provider relationships
- informed consent
- patient file documentation
- appropriate patient referral
Learning Activities
The student will be under the direct supervision of a licensed eyecare provider in a retail optical practice. They will participate as a member of the optical staff providing eyewear service to patients. Regular site visits and practical assessments will be conducted by the instructor.
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 successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- demonstrate use of instruments, equipment and tools used in the process of eyeglass dispensing, surfacing, edging, plastic lens tinting and frame repair;
- demonstrate professional and ethical skills when communicating with patients, staff and others within the clinical setting;
- handle customer complaints;
- use appropriate interpersonal and written communication within the clinical setting;
- use appropriate documentation techniques for record keeping;
- use basic inventory control techniques as it relates to a small business;
- select frames for the patient based on face-shape criteria;
- 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;
- demonstrate 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:
Brooks and Borish, System for Ophthalmic Dispensing, current edition, Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier.