Explore Program: Opthalmic Technician | Henry Ford College

Career Opportunities:

The Profession:

Ophthalmic Technicians are health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing vision care. They perform administrative and clinical functions under the direction of medical or osteopathic physicians who provide comprehensive, refractive, medical, and surgical eye care to the public. Technicians provide administrative support services by coordinating clinic schedules, charting, coding, and transmitting orders of the physician. Clinical functions may be generalized or specialized. Duties may include calibrating and maintaining ophthalmic equipment and supplies, recording medical histories and vision, testing eye movements and binocular functions, measuring optical power and visual fields, assisting in minor and major eye surgery, and performing ocular imaging and biometry services as applicable by local law.

Ophthalmic technicians are employed primarily by ophthalmologists, medical institutions, clinics, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, university ophthalmology centers, or physician groups in which they may be assigned to an ophthalmologist responsible for their supervision and performance. They may be involved with the patients of an ophthalmologist in any setting for which the ophthalmologist is responsible.

Demand for ophthalmic medical technicians should remain strong due to the rising population of older persons, the segment of the population with increased frequency of chronic health conditions.

Occupational Exposure/Risk:

Applicants considering a career as an Ophthalmic Technician should be aware that during their course of study and in subsequent employment in the field, they are likely to work in situations where exposure to infectious disease is possible. This is an occupational risk for all health care workers. Persons should not become health care workers unless they recognize and accept this risk. Proper education and strict adherence to well established infection control guidelines can reduce the risk to a minimum. Thorough education in infection control procedures is an important part of the Ophthalmic Technician program.

Latex Allergies:

Early recognition of sensitization to natural rubber latex (NRL) is crucial to prevent the occurrence of life-threatening reactions in sensitized healthcare workers. The program faculty strongly advises that students sensitized or allergic to latex consult with a physician for guidance on the merits of continuing in a health care career. NRL sensitized students who choose to continue in Ophthalmic Technician program must notify the program director.

Program Completion Limits:

The program (OPT) program is 23 months in length. Students must complete all OPT courses within three years of beginning the formal program. All courses in the OPT program must be completed with a C or better. Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical sites and any expenses incurred.

The College continuously attempts to improve each program and as a result, courses and requirements may be modified. Curriculum, course content, and admission criteria are subject to change by action of the College faculty and administration. Contact the Health Careers Office at (313) 845-9877 for any current program updates or visit www. hfcc.edu.

Withdrawal and Readmission:

A students who fails one or both first semester OPT courses (course/course) must stop out of the program. Sequencing for OPT course work is not optional; courses are scheduled annually. Therefore, all students who fail a course must appeal for continuance with a remediation plan in writing. If a student fails a course on second attempt, they are out of the ophthalmic technician program.

Transfer Agreements:

Learn More About: Transfer Opportunities