Course Description
This course provides the theory and interpretation of contact lens fitting procedures at an advanced level. Skills to complete the procedure of fitting contact lenses by implementing patient pre-fit evaluation, instrumentation, measurements, diagnostic lens fitting, and post-fit evaluation are studied. Other topics include specialty contact lenses and refractive surgical alternatives.
Course Content
Introduction
- working relationships with ophthalmology and optometry
- regulatory body resources
Anatomy & physiology
- automated corneal topography
- physiological defects of the eye
- ocular tonometry
- ocular neurology
- ocular circulatory system
Refractive surgery
- corneal refractive surgery
- intraocular refractive surgery
- risks, complications and contraindications of refractive surgery
- equipment, instrumentation, and procedural analysis of refractive surgery procedures
Pharmacology
- ophthalmic diagnostic agents and their usage
- ophthalmic therapeutic agents and their usage
- contraindications to contact lens wear
- ocular medication databases
Contact lens business management
- contact lens instruments
- office computerization
- office organization and staffing
- inventory management
- billing and fee structures
- office booking systems
Soft and gas permeable contact lens fitting
- pre-fit ocular evaluation
- material selection
- parameter determination
- lens insertion and removal
- patient compliance
- solutions and accessories
- follow-up procedures
- complications and contraindications
Specialty and therapeutic contact lens applications
- healthy Eye Applications
- injured / Diseased Eye Applications
- refractive Surgery Applications
Communication and interaction with patients
- cultural safety and humility
- patient-provider relationships
- informed consent
- patient file documentation
- appropriate patient referral
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:
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:
- review and describe the corneal topography of a healthy eye
- review and describe pathology of the visual system
- identify the effects of ophthalmic ocular medications
- describe the aspects of a successful contact lens practice
- describe main concepts in refractive ocular surgery
- describe the complete process of a contact lens fitting
- recognize ocular situations that require referral for further care
- describe the specialty contact lens fitting concepts
- apply regulatory standards of practice relevant to contact lenses
- 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
- document patient visits to allow for effective continuity of care
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.