In January 2017, the University of Southern California (USC) Roski Eye Institute plans to launch the first education program in California to train certified ophthalmic technicians, and Texas A&M University-Texarkana will offer a new 15-week ophthalmic assistant/optician training course.
USC Roski Eye Institute's Ophthalmic Technician Education Program (OTEP) will be a 21-month program reportedly including academic coursework, as well as clinical setting training from experts at the Institute. Graduates of the program will be able to guide patients and families on understanding their vision conditions, ensure compliance with treatment protocols, and conduct various tests and procedures that inform ophthalmologists in the diagnosis and treatments of eye diseases and vision conditions.
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Offered in conjunction with Texarkana Eye Associates, A&M-Texarkana's ophthalmic assistant/optician course will reportedly prepare students with the necessary skills to perform ophthalmic procedures in the office of an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The course includes 60 hours of classroom and 20 hours of lab training, and those who successfully complete the course will be eligible to take the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) exam.
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Source: USC Roski Eye Institute & Texas A&M University-Texarkana