Health Careers
Optometric Technician
Professional Activities
The optometric technician’s primary responsibilities are to help the optometric physician in eye and vision care. Activities include measuring the curvature of the cornea, color testing, stereo-testing, taking acuitys, retinal and corneal photography, measuring the pressure of the eye, determining the power of old and new eye glass prescriptions, helping clients select frames, and measuring facial contours. The optometric technician educates the patient on the tests being done and on choices in eye glasses. This instruction helps decrease uncertainty or fear in clients. Other duties may include dispensing contact lenses, determining the power and dimensions of old and new contact lenses, and explaining the care and handling of lenses. It is also often necessary to explain the use and application of pharmaceutical agents to the eye. Laboratory work and general management of a vision clinic is occasionally necessary.
Optometric technicians are employed by optometric physicians in vision clinics. In rural Alaska, these clinics are located in regional hospitals. Major employers include the Alaska Native Health Service and regional health corporations.
Educational Requirements
- Graduation from high school with coursework in math, science, and English.
- Many optometric technicians are trained on the job, but some may complete a two-year associate’s degree from a community college.
- There are no licensing requirements in Alaska.
Academic Programs
There are no optometric technician schools in Alaska.
Indiana University School of Optometry does offer a two-year program in optometric technology leading to the Associate of Science degree. Students completing the program are qualified to begin careers as opticians or optometric technicians. For more information contact:
Indiana University School of Optometry
800 E. Atwater Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: (812) 855-4447
Fax: (812) 855-8664
Email:
Web site: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/opttech/index.htm
Contacts
State Contact:
Alaska Optometric Association
Tracy Oman, Executive Director
1689 C Street, Suite 222
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 770-3777
Toll free: (877) 693-2562
Fax: (907) 272-7532
Email:
Web site: http://www.akoa.org
National Contact:
American Optometric Association
243 North Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63141
Toll free: (800) 365-2219
Web site: http://www.aoa.org/
This page was last updated by Janice Troyer on August 14, 2007
