2018 – 2019
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Ophthalmic Technician
Career Cluster:	Health Science

AS	
CIP Number	1351180301	
Program Type	College Credit	
Standard Length	72 credit hours	
CTSO	HOSA: Future Health Professionals	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	29-2099 Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml 	

Purpose

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster. 

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as ophthalmic technicians, optical goods workers SOC Code 29-2099 (Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other) or provide supplemental training for persons previously or presently employed in this occupation.

The content includes but is not limited to (1) to perform specified ophthalmologic tests and procedures with skill, (2) understand and practice the art of ophthalmologic assisting, thereby providing the patient with medical care of the highest quality and accuracy, (3) to become members of the health care team who contribute to the physical and psychological comfort of the patient, (4) to provide a system of quality assurance for both equipment and treatment delivery, (5) and to understand the importance of maintaining membership in the professional organizations and keeping abreast of the changes in the field of ophthalmology.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 72 credit hours.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Discuss the ophthalmic practice and personnel.
02.0	Discuss legal and ethical issues in the ophthalmic practice. 
03.0	Describe the basic functions of the human body systems.
04.0	Discuss the anatomy and physiology of the human eye.
05.0	Describe the clinical findings of common ocular pathology.
06.0	Demonstrate knowledge of geometric and physiologic optics.
07.0	Demonstrate clinical knowledge of ocular and systemic medications.
08.0	Demonstrate the taking of an ocular and medical history.
09.0	Demonstrate basic ophthalmic clinical skills.
10.0	Demonstrate intermediate ophthalmic clinical skills.  
11.0	Demonstrate knowledge of ophthalmic surgical procedures. 
12.0	Discuss patient services provided or by the ophthalmic technician.
13.0	Demonstrate office safety and maintenance.  
14.0	Demonstrate knowledge of patient vital signs and reactions.  
15.0	Demonstrate advanced clinical skills. 

2018 – 2019
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Ophthalmic Technician
CIP Number:		1351180301 
Program Length:	72 credit hours
SOC Code(s):		29-2099

Refer to Rule 6A-14.030 (4) F.A.C., for the minimum amount of general education coursework required in the Associate of Science (AS) degree.  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
Ophthalmic Medical Technician:       Students completing standards 1-14 meet the qualifications for
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

Ophthalmic Medical Technologist:    Students completing standards 1-15 meet the qualifications for
Ophthalmic Medical Technologist	
01.0	Discuss the ophthalmic practice and personnel. - the student will be able to:	
01.01	List the professionals who work in the eye care industry.	
01.02	Differentiate between licensure and certification of personnel.	
01.03	Identify the general responsibilities of ophthalmic technical personnel, the ophthalmic scribe and the administrative staff.	
01.04	Define the levels of training and certification of the ophthalmic medical professional.	
01.05	Define the scope of practice of the ophthalmic technician.	
02.0	Discuss legal and ethical issues in the ophthalmic practice. – the student will be able to:	
02.01	Identify methods of protection of personal health information for the patient.	
02.02	Summarize the Health Information Portability Accountability Act as it pertains to care of the patient in the ophthalmic clinic.	
02.03	Discuss ethical and legal standards of medical care.	
02.04	Discuss physician and technician malpractice insurance.	
02.05	Describe the process of informed consent.	
03.0	Describe the basic functions of the human body systems. – the student will be able to:	
03.01	Discuss the components and functions of the respiratory and cardiovascular system	
03.02	Describe the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine and reproductive systems	
03.03	Identify the components of the integumentary and digestive systems	
03.04	Describe the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system	
03.05	Discuss the components and functions of the nervous system	
04.0	Discuss the anatomy and physiology of the human eye. – the student will be able to:	
04.01	Identify the bones and soft tissues of the orbit	
04.02	List the components of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye	
04.03	Discuss the anatomy of the eyelids and lacrimal system	
04.04	Describe the anatomy and physiology of the cornea and lens	
04.05	List the primary functions of the fibrous, vascular and sensory tunics of the eye	
04.06	Discuss the origins and functions of the extraocular muscles	
04.07	Identify the cranial nerves associated with movement and sensation of the ocular structures	
04.08	Describe the visual and pupillary pathways	
04.09	Discuss the pupillary light reflex	
04.10	Describe the process of accommodation	
05.0	Describe the clinical findings of common ocular pathology. – the student will be able to:	
05.01	Discuss the principles of pathology	
05.02	Discuss basic microbiology as it applies to the ocular structures	
05.03	Identify disorders of the orbit	
05.04	Identify benign and malignant lesions of the eyelids	
05.05	List eyelid disorders due to malposition	
05.06	Discuss disorders of the lacrimal system	
05.07	Identify disorders of the conjunctiva and sclera	
05.08	Describe abnormal findings of the cornea	
05.09	Discuss intraocular inflammation of the iris and ciliary body	
05.10	Describe cataractous changes in the crystalline lens	
05.11	Discuss the ocular and visual changes associated with glaucoma	
05.12	List the signs and symptoms related to macular disease	
05.13	Discuss the retinal vascular changes associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease	
06.0	Demonstrate knowledge of geometric and physiologic optics. – the student will be able to:	
06.01	Discuss the visible spectrum and theories of visible light	
06.02	Describe the processes of reflection, refraction and absorption of visible light	
06.03	Discuss the index of refraction of different media	
06.04	Describe the process of refraction through a prism and a lens	
06.05	Calculate the focal length of a lens	
06.06	Identify the principle focal lines and Conoid of Sturm of a spherocylinder lens	
06.07	Discuss human refractive errors	
06.08	Identify lenses used in the correction of refractive errors	
06.09	Transpose prescriptions between plus and minus cylinder format	
06.10	Calculate a spherical equivalent power of a spherocylinder lens	
07.0	Demonstrate clinical knowledge of ocular and systemic medications. – the student will be able to:	
07.01	Describe methods of delivery of ophthalmic and systemic medications	
07.02	Use accepted terminology and abbreviations related to pharmacology	
07.03	List ophthalmic medications used in the general ophthalmic examination	
07.04	Classify ophthalmic topical medications by the bottle top colors	
07.05	List topical medications used in the treatment of glaucoma	
07.06	Instill ophthalmic drops and ointments using proper technique	
07.07	Identify potential side effects of topical ophthalmic medications	
07.08	Describe the mechanism of action of anti-VEGF medications in macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy	
07.09	Match commonly prescribed systemic medications with the disease process	
07.10	List potential ocular side effects of systemic medications	
08.0	Demonstrate the taking of an ocular and medical history. – the student will be able to:	
08.01	Communicate effectively in written and oral communication	
08.02	Document information in the written or electronic patient record	
08.03	Document information in the medical record using appropriate medical terminology and accepted abbreviations	
08.04	Preserve patient confidentiality using HIPAA guidelines	
08.05	Maintain applicable ethical and legal standards	
08.06	Elicit the patient’s chief complaint and history of present illness	
08.07	Identify pertinent ocular and systemic history that could affect the patient’s ocular health	
08.08	Record ocular and systemic medicines	
08.09	Obtain pertinent family history of ocular and systemic disease	
08.10	Elicit the social history as it pertains to the ocular examination	
08.11	Record patient allergies and allergic reactions to medicines, environmental substances and seasonal allergens	
09.0	Demonstrate basic ophthalmic clinical skills. – the student will be able to:	
09.01	Test and record the patient’s level of visual acuity at distance and at near	
09.02	Test and record the visual acuity level using a pinhole	
09.03	Select non-traditional methods of visual acuity assessment for non-verbal, illiterate or non-English speaking patients	
09.04	Neutralize the patient’s current spectacle correction by manual lensometry	
09.05	Measure and record the corneal surface refractive power by keratometry	
09.06	Assess the patient’s color vision	
09.07	Test and record the central visual field using an Amsler grid	
09.08	Test and record the patient’s visual field using confrontation testing	
09.09	Perform formal visual field assessment using automated perimetry	
09.10	Discuss patient and technician errors in automated perimetry testing	
09.11	Determine the binocular status of the patient using fusion and stereopsis testing 	
09.12	Assess the extraocular motility by version and duction testing	
09.13	Identify and measure extraocular muscle imbalances using cover tests and prisms	
09.14	Estimate the ocular muscle deviation by corneal reflex positions	
09.15	Assess and record the pupillary reactions to light and accommodation 	
09.16	Perform swinging flashlight test	
09.17	Examine the ocular adnexa and record the findings 	
09.18	Instill topical anesthetic and dilating drops	
09.19	Perform and record applanation tonometry	
10.0	Demonstrate intermediate ophthalmic clinical skills.  – the student will be able to:	
10.01	Perform retinoscopy to determine the patient’s refractive error	
10.02	Demonstrate refractometry techniques to obtain the best corrected visual acuity	
10.03	Perform manifest and cycloplegic refractometry	
10.04	Perform lensometry to neutralize ground-in or induced prism	
10.05	Determine additional power required for near or intermediate tasks	
10.06	Assess the anterior segment using the slit lamp biomicroscope	
10.07	Perform axial length measurements using ultrasound and optical instruments	
10.08	Calculate the intraocular lens power range in the pre-operative cataract evaluation	
10.09	Perform optical imaging of the retina and optic nerve	
10.10	Use digital or film cameras to obtain external, anterior segment or fundus images	
10.11	Measure the corneal thickness by pachymetry	
10.12	Map the corneal surfaces by corneal topography	
10.13	Identify commonly performed diagnostic procedures for glaucoma, cataracts and other pathology 	
10.14	Identify abnormal findings in ophthalmic diagnostic testing	
10.15	Perform basic soft and rigid contact lens fitting	
11.0	Demonstrate knowledge of ophthalmic surgical procedures. – the student will be able to:	
11.01	Identify minor surgery procedures performed in the ophthalmic clinical setting	
11.02	Describe surgical procedures commonly performed on the orbits, lacrimal system and eyelids	
11.03	List procedures performed for correction of strabismus	
11.04	Identify and describe refractive surgical procedures	
11.05	Differentiate between full thickness and lamellar corneal transplantation	
11.06	Discuss the methods of cataract extraction	
11.07	Classify intraocular lens implants used after cataract extraction	
11.08	Identify laser and surgical procedures performed as treatment for glaucoma	
11.09	Discuss methods of removing the vitreous	
11.10	Describe retinal and macular surgical procedures	
11.11	Apply proper sterile technique in the minor procedure or surgical suite	
11.12	Describe proper assisting techniques in minor procedure or surgical cases.  	
12.0	Discuss patient services provided or by the ophthalmic technician. – the student will be able to:	
12.01	Demonstrate proper technique of placing a pressure or non-pressure eye patch	
12.02	Demonstrate patient education of ocular and systemic disease processes	
12.03	Inform the patient of required testing, the interpreted test results, and treatment options for ophthalmic disease processes	
12.04	Counsel the patients on proper use of medications	
12.05	Instill ocular medications using proper technique	
12.06	Discuss triage procedures for ocular emergencies	
12.07	Identify resources available for the patient with subnormal vision	
12.08	Instruct patient is the use of optical and non-optical low vision devices	
12.09	Instruct the patient on the insertion, removal and care of contact lenses	
13.0	Demonstrate office safety and maintenance.  – the student will be able to:	
13.01	Identify environmental and electrical safety procedures in the clinical practice	
13.02	Replace instrument bulbs and fuses employing proper technique and safety standards.	
13.03	Discuss methods of instrument cleaning and maintenance	
13.04	Maintain clinical supply inventory	
13.05	Discuss proper disposal of hazardous and bio-medical waste 	
13.06	Describe the principles of infection control and Universal Precautions	
13.07	Maintain aseptic technique in the clinical and surgical setting	
13.08	Identify potential safety hazards in the physical space	
14.0	Demonstrate knowledge of patient vital signs and reactions.  – the student will be able to:	
14.01	Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a clinical setting	
14.02	Measure and record blood pressure	
14.03	Measure and record patient temperature	
14.04	Assess patient respiration	
14.05	Recognize patient allergic response in the clinical setting 	
15.0	Demonstrate advanced clinical skills.  – the student will be able to:	
15.01	Assess visual ability in low vision patients	
15.02	Identify optical low vision aids 	
15.03	Identify and neutralize ocular deviations using prism and alternate cover	
15.04	Identify paralytic extraocular muscle using the three-step test	
15.05	Perform advanced ocular imaging procedures	
15.06	Determine prism addition in spectacle correction 	
15.07	Calculate induced prism using Prentice’s formula	
15.08	Perform therapeutic contact lens fitting	
15.09	Perform ophthalmic electrophysiology testing	
15.10	Demonstrate clinical supervision skills	
15.11	Demonstrate clinical training techniques 	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Clinical education has been established for students in this program to permit accurate assessment of the knowledge, skills, and abilities of students in the clinical component of the program.  After completion of the prerequisite practice of ophthalmic assisting procedures, students indicate to the faculty their readiness for evaluation of competence in a specific competency category/procedure.

Multiple affiliates are utilized for the clinical activities which provide equitable opportunities for the student to achieve the program clinical objectives.  The resulting clinical rotations provide students with the technical skills for the ophthalmic medical technician.

Special Notes

The program is designed to provide the medical community of ophthalmology with workers who, under the supervision of an ophthalmologist, aid in the treatment of eye conditions and diseases.  The curriculum provides students an opportunity to develop technical and social skills through experiences in the clinic, classroom, and laboratory.  The Health Careers Core must be taken by all students (secondary, postsecondary adult and postsecondary vocational) planning to complete any Health Occupations program.  Once successfully completed, the core does not need to be repeated at any instructional level.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

HOSA: Future Health Professionals is the intercurricular career and technical student organization providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. 

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml