Overview
Ophthalmic Technicians are allied health professionals specializing in ocular health and vision care, operating under the supervision of a licensed medical provider. The Ophthalmic Technician Program provides didactic and practical training in tasks relating to ocular screening, diagnosis, and treatment to include optical devices and surgical interventions. Patient education and interaction, basic clinical administration, care of instruments and equipment, and operating room protocol are also covered. Subjects include anatomy and physiology, medical ethics, ocular pathology, pharmacology, optics, refractive surgery, vision and specialty testing, and aseptic technique. Quality control and safety techniques are emphasized throughout the program. Lecture, demonstration, online materials, simulations, and laboratory practice are utilized during pre-clinical training.
Accreditation or Related Information: The Ophthalmic Technician Program Air Force Track is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Flr. 1, St. Louis, MO 63141-7881; Telephone: 800-365-2219; http://www.acoe.org/
The Ophthalmic Technician Program, Army, is accredited by the International Council of Accreditation for Allied Ophthalmic Education Programs (ICA), 2025 Woodlane Dr., St. Paul, MN 55125; Telephone: 651-731-7245; http://www.icaccreditation.org/
This program holds specialized programmatic accreditation that is maintained through the Medical Education Training Campus (METC).
Air Force Degree Requirements
General Education Requirements
Communication - Written
| ENG 1301 | English Writing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Communication - Oral
Quantitative Science - Math
Quantitative Science - Health Science
Quantitative Science - Natural Science
| SCI 1300 | Natural Science | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Human Science - Humanities
Human Science - Social Science
| MILS 1301 | Military Science | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Major Requirements
| OPHT 1102 | Ocular Pathology, Trauma, and Pharmacology | 1 |
| OPHT 1201 | Introduction to Ophthalmic Care, Ocular Anatomy and Physiology | 2 |
| OPHT 2101 | Introduction to Ophthalmic Surgery | 1 |
| OPHT 2502 | Fundamentals of Patient Screening and Ancillary Testing | 5 |
| OPHT 2713 | Ophthalmic Clinical Practicum (Air Force) | 7 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Free Electives - Approved Coursework
Total Credit Hours: 60
Army Degree Requirements
General Education Requirements
Communication - Written
| ENG 1301 | English Writing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Communication - Oral
Quantitative Science - Math
Quantitative Science - Health Science
Quantitative Science - Natural Science
| SCI 1300 | Natural Science | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Human Science - Humanities
Human Science - Social Science
| MILS 1301 | Military Science | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Major Requirements
| OPHT 1102 | Ocular Pathology, Trauma, and Pharmacology | 1 |
| OPHT 1201 | Introduction to Ophthalmic Care, Ocular Anatomy and Physiology | 2 |
| OPHT 2101 | Introduction to Ophthalmic Surgery | 1 |
| OPHT 2104 | Operational Ophthalmic Care | 1 |
| OPHT 2502 | Fundamentals of Patient Screening and Ancillary Testing | 5 |
| OPHT 2703 | Ophthalmic Clinical Practicum (Army) | 7 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Free Electives - Approved Coursework
Total Credit Hours: 60