Program Description
The Vision Care Technology Program offers classroom, clinical and laboratory training
utilizing state of the art instrumentation in preparation for careers in the vision
care field.
With the increase in the nation's population and the aging of the baby boom generation, the demand for vision care services and a trained corps of ophthalmic professionals has risen. This demand exists in private optometric and ophthalmological practices, national vision centers, health maintenance organizations, laser surgery and specialty practices, laboratory and ophthalmic sales.
Among program goals is the provision of necessary theoretical and practical training to enable students to successfully complete the American Board of Opticianry, National Contact Lens Examination and New York State licensing exams in Ophthalmic Dispensing and Contact Lenses.
Classroom lectures, clinics and laboratories involve skills training in lensometry, pupillometry, keratometry, biomicroscopy, tonometry, perimetry, auto-refraction, corneal topography and retinal imaging. Students are trained in the use of computers to maintain patient's protected health information and prescription requirements.
To complement classroom and laboratory training, students will participate in two clinical externships at participating optometric and ophthalmological private practices and vision centers. The program has over 70 affiliated and approved vision care sites in Western New York.
Second year students gain purposeful clinical experience through supervised participation in the Community Eye Clinic at Friends of Night People which offers eye examinations and prescription eyeglasses to those in need in the community.
Upon graduation of the program students participate in credentialing exams administered by the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners and state licensure exams through the Office of Professions, New York State Education Department.