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Opticianry
Overview
The Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, in keeping with its
mission to educate students in technology that will allow them to build careers
that are fulfilling both financially and professionally, offers a two-year
associate degree program in Opticianry.
The Opticianry program is fully supported by the Opticians Association
of Massachusetts. It is nationally recognized, the only program of its kind in
Massachusetts, and one of only two such programs in all of New England.
The Opticianry program serves as the educational gateway for students
of all ages, including adult learners and apprentice opticians. With a vibrant
optical industry and continued need for qualified eyecare professionals, there
exists a tremendous opportunity for technically skilled and highly knowledgeable
opticians.
The optical industry is experiencing tremendous growth as well as expanded
regulations and increasing requirements for becoming a licensed optician in
Massachusetts. The curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate to meet
both the requirements for MA Licensing including national and local
certification exams and practical tests, as well as for entry into the
profession of opticianry itself. Upon graduation the student will be
well versed and knowledgeable in all facets of opticianry including
spectacle design, fitting and dispensing, contact lens design and fitting,
prescription and non-prescription fabrication and manufacturing and special
application optics.
The optical profession itself offers great diversity and versatility.
Graduates will be able to work in many different environments ranging from
HMO/medical offices to retail/high fashion optical boutiques, corporate
and chain optical conglomerates to independent ownership. Graduates will be
well versed in all aspects of optics as it relates to opticianry. Graduates
will be qualified for positions involving spectacle design and dispensing,
contact lens design and dispensing, optical laboratory finishing and
management, optical business management or independent ownership. Salary
levels may range between $30,000 to $40,000 for entry level staff licensed
opticians, and higher for manager optician positions and ownership. Many
graduates of the opticianry program seek advanced degrees and/or
certification related to business, management, ophthalmic technology and
health care management
Curriculum
The two-year curriculum is comprehensive in design and has been
modeled after opticianry accredited programs from across the country.
The curriculum is periodically reviewed nationally by the Commission
on Opticianry Accreditation (COA) and the National Federation of
Opticianry Schools (NFOS).
Facilities
The college facilities include a state-of-the-art spectacle
finishing lab, a contact lens clinic and prototype optical shop for
students and faculty. The finishing lab serves student and their
individual work projects involving spectacle finishing, as well as
being capable of conversion to a simulated high capacity wholesale
plant.
The contact lens clinic and optical shop serve as model working
environment classrooms. Both clinics may be operated in part by
students and are designed to provide optical services to students,
faculty and special outreach projects.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Associate Degree in Opticianry,
the graduate will be able to:
- analyze ophthalmic prescriptions and interpret the prescription into
an appropriate design for spectacles and/or contact lenses.
- measure and record pertinent patient information using appropriate
optical instrumentation.
- record and communicate with patients by taking a case history and
general discussion regarding their eye care concerns and preferences.
- demonstrate a high level of performance and comprehension and
application for all optical concepts through thorough testing and
practical examinations.
- demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and be measured as to
their adherence to the program academic integrity policy and the
program profession code of conduct.
Faculty
BLair Wong, Chair
Instructor Staff: George Bourque,, Steven Feldman, Jonathan Parrelli, Cathy Perlumutter
Degree requirements for Opticianry
Total Credits: 69 |
| Typical Course Sequence |
| Semester 1 |
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| SK101 |
Freshman Seminar |
1 |
| EN130 |
College Composition I |
3 |
| CT100 |
Computer Applications |
3 |
| OP105 |
Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye |
3 |
| MA105 |
Technical Math I |
3 |
| OP110 |
Opthalmic Optics I |
3 |
| OP115 |
Spectacle Finishing Lab I |
3 |
| |
| Semester 2 |
| EN140 |
College Composition II |
3 |
| MA107 |
Optical Math |
3 |
| OP122 |
Opthalmic Design & Dispensing I |
3 |
| OP123 |
Opthalmic Design & Dispensing I - Lab |
1 |
| OP120 |
Opthalmic Optics II |
3 |
| OP125 |
Spectacle Finishing Lab II |
3 |
| SS/HU |
Elective |
3 |
| |
| Semester 3 |
| OP232 |
Opthalmic Design & Dispensing II |
3 |
| OP233 |
Opthalmic Design & Dispensing II - Lab |
1 |
| OP230 |
Contact Lens Theory I |
3 |
| OP231 |
Contact Lens Theory I - Lab |
1 |
| OP235 |
Spectacle Finishing Lab III |
3 |
| SS/HU |
Elective |
3 |
| |
| Semester 4 |
| OP240 |
Contact Lens Theory II |
3 |
| OP241 |
Contact Lens Theory II - Lab |
1 |
| OP244 |
Opthalmic Skills Lab I |
2 |
| OP245 |
Vision Assessment & Screening |
3 |
| BS201 |
Small Business Management |
3 |
| OP100 |
Vision Care Clinical I/Externship |
1 |
| OP128 |
Low Vision Dispensing & Mobility |
2 |
| SS/HU |
Elective |
3 |
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