Begin your career in the field of vision healthcare as an Ophthalmic Assistant specializing in the anatomy, function and diseases of the eye. Ophthalmic assistants work directly with patients, greeting them and documenting their medical histories, administering diagnostic tests, measuring and recording vision, and testing eye muscle function. They provide contact lens education, give eye medications, and maintain optical instruments. They also do office tasks--booking appointments, answering phones, and keeping records.

This Ophthalmic Assistant program will train students to work with Ophthalmologists, administering routine eye exams and providing patient education. As an Ophthalmic Assistant you may also handle pre and post-operative exams for cataract surgery and visual field exams for glaucoma or neurological patients.

Ophthalmic Assistant - Detailed Course Information: The program provides a review of the following areas: Medical Terminology

Anatomy and physiology of the eye

Pharmacology

Microbiology

Scheduling appointments

Obtaining consents and insurance information

Maintaining records

Preliminary examinations

Understanding ophthalmic equipment

Facts about glasses and contact lenses

Visual fields, ocular injuries and common eye/retinal disorders

Asepsis technique and minor office surgery

Glaucoma

Topical; prescriptions written for the eye

Visual acuity; near and distance

Laser in ophthalmology

Computerized corneal tonometry and refractive surgery

Ophthalmology ethics

Maintaining surgical and other supplies

Taking patients' medical histories

Teaching patients about procedures

Review of maintaining, sterilizing, and setting up instruments for surgery

Assisting doctors with surgery and patient monitoring

Applying medications and eye dressings

This 50 hour Ophthalmic Assistant Program prepares the student for entry level positions in one of the fastest growing healthcare fields.

* Once employed in the field of Ophthalmology and meeting certain work requirements, students will be eligible to sit for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) - Ophthalmic Medical Assisting exam under the sponsorship of their employer (ophthalmologist). Successful completion of this exam serves as a prerequisite for the written certifying examination for Ophthalmic Medical Assistants offered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) which leads to National Certification. The cost of this class does not include these exams.

Fee Breakdown

Category	Description	Amount
Course Fee (Basic)	Registration Fee	$1,499.00