Opticianry

PURPOSE: The Opticianry program is designed to prepare individuals in the art and science of all phases of the making and fitting of eyeglasses and contact lenses: surfacing, finishing, eyeglass dispensing, contact lens fitting, and dispensing.

Program Guide and Student Handbook

Advanced Placement Packet

OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Graduation from the program may lead to one of the following occupational goals: Optician, Private Practitioner, Ophthalmic Dispenser, Optical Laboratory Manager, Contact Lens Technician, Branch Manager, Optical Laboratory Technician, Ophthalmic Sales Representative, and Ophthalmic Research Technician.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: Students who complete the Opticianry AAS degree will be expected to:

1. Demonstrate theoretical and technical optical knowledge at a level of a licensed optician in the state of Virginia and other states requiring accreditation with similar requirements.
2. Demonstrate clinical optical skills at a level of a licensed optician in the state of Virginia and other states requiring accreditation with similar requirements.
3. Demonstrate clinical competency in basic contact lens fitting.
4. Demonstrate entry-level business skills for the opticianry profession.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission.

PROGRAM NOTES: Students admitted into this program will be approved for entry into major/clinical courses (Optical Theory I or higher) when they have satisfied the following requirements:

• Applicants must meet with the program head to review their records and to discuss the requirements of the program and a career in Opticianry.
• It is also recommended, but not required, that students have completed one unit each of high school algebra, biology, and physics.

Students acquire direct patient-related practical skills by taking eyeglass and contact lens clinical coursework at clinical sites assisting customers. All students must complete an Assumption of Risk agreement prior to taking any clinical courses. Courses in the program may be offered on campus or online. Students in the online program must attend mandatory clinical classes offered at an approved facility. Exams and major assessments must be taken in an approved, proctored environment as determined by the program faculty.

Graduation from this program prepares one for the licensing examination and contact lens fitting endorsement given by the Virginia State Board of Opticians. This accredited program is also approved by other state licensing boards.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the regular college tuition and fees, the following expenses may be required for the Opticianry program:

* Online students are required to take proctored exams and complete projects to be sent back to the college throughout the curriculum. Students must have an approved proctor, and, if there is a fee, students are required to pay for the services they decide to use.

**Online students in a clinical setting must have access to specific optical tools and equipment in order to successfully complete coursework. Dependent upon the clinical site, students using off-campus locations may need to purchase tools or equipment if they do not have access to them at their approved location.

PROGRESSION THROUGH THE PROGRAM:

1. Students who receive a final grade lower than “71” in any of the Opticianry courses must repeat the course and gain permission from the program head to continue in the program.
2. Reynolds relies on affiliation agreements with community agencies to provide clinical education opportunities for their students. The rapid changes in health care law, standards of practice, technology, content of credentialing examinations, and availability of qualified faculty increasingly necessitate sudden changes in the program’s course content, policies, procedures, and course scheduling. As a result, the college cannot guarantee every student continuous and uninterrupted clinical and course instruction as outlined in the printed catalog curriculum for this program. Circumstances beyond the control of the college may necessitate the postponement of course offerings or changes in the sequencing and/or location of scheduled courses or clinical assignments. Additionally, the college may have to change the instructor for courses after instruction has started.

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE DATA FOR OPTICIANRY GRADUATES: The following table presents the pass rates on the first attempt for certification/licensure exams and employment rates for Reynolds opticianry graduates for 2019-2023.

The following table indicates how many Reynolds Community College Opticianry students entered the program and then graduated during the past 4 years, passed national certifications, state board exams and found employment within the field. Data from the most recent graduating class is still being collected as students may not complete state and national examinations until the following spring term.

The following tables indicate the number of Opticianry graduates that took and passed national certifications, state board exams and found employment following graduation. It should be noted that this data is recorded within 10 months of their graduation and some graduates decide not to take their licensure exams within that timeframe and/or continuing their educational journey.

ACCREDITATION: The Opticianry program is accredited by the:

Commission on Opticianry Accreditation
229 East 85th Street #194
New York, NY 10028
coaccreditation.com