Course

Laboratory in Contact Lenses and Optical Technologies I

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Opticianry
Course code
OPTI 2113
Credits
6.00
Semester length
15
Max class size
15
Method(s) of instruction
Lab
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course introduces students to the lab skills required for quality control of contact lens materials, solutions, and their ocular applications. This course also provides students with the ability to calibrate, maintain, and implement the usage of the equipment and tools associated within the contact lens dispensary.
Course content

Introduction

  • Laboratory objectives
  • Orientation to laboratory instruments and equipment
  • Laboratory hygiene
  • Equipment sterilization

Traditional and Computerized Diagnostic Technologies

  • Slit lamp biomicroscope
  • Vertex conversion chart
  • Snellen chart
  • Automated corneal topography
  • Keratometry
  • Hand loupe
  • Dioptric conversion chart
  • Acuity trial lens set
  • Autorefractor
  • Lensometer
  • Diameter gauge
  • Phoropter

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 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

Professional Relationship with the Patient

  • Communication and patient interaction
  • New patient fit routine
  • Follow-up routine

Communication and interaction with patients

  • cultural safety and humility
  • patient-provider relationships
  • informed consent
  • patient file documentation
  • appropriate patient referral
Learning activities
  • Application / calculation exercises in laboratory
  • Laboratory assignments
  • Independent study
Means of assessment

Evaluation will be carried out 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. Evaluation will be based on the following:

  • Professionalism, preparedness, and attendance 0-5%
  • Assignments 10-20%
  • Term tests  40-60%
  • Final exam 25-30%

 

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:

  • use instruments for contact lens fitting and lens analysis to meet criteria for a well-fitting lens
  • collect, record, and interpret data and patient health information during a routine contact lens fitting
  • describe contact lens materials by manufacturer, label name, material compound names, water content, power range and recommended patient fitting procedure and wearing schedule
  • describe 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
  • describe contact lens solutions by manufacturer, brand name, chemical ingredients, and recommended usage
  • describe fitting concepts of eyeglass and contact lens dispensing
  • describe limitations and contraindications to the automated refractive error assessment according to the Professional Standards of Practice
  • 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:

Efron, Contact Lens Practice, current edition, Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier.

Requisites

Prerequisites

OPTI 1310 or meeting requirements for direct entrance into the second year of the program.

Corequisites

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

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.

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 2113
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025