Ophthalmic Technician, A.A.S.

Degree: Associate of Applied Science
Major: Ophthalmic Technician

For more information, contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330.

This program is designed to prepare the student to act as an entry level ophthalmic technician. Duties of the ophthalmic technician generally include, but are not limited to: recording of case histories, visual acuity measurement, visual field testing, refractometry, contact lenses, caring for and maintaining ophthalmic instruments, and assisting the doctor in the setup and performance of minor ophthalmic surgery. This program has received accreditation through the International Council of Accreditation (ICA).

Admission to the program is limited and on a competitive basis. Screening for fall entry will take place in the summer. Admission into the program is contingent upon completion of all general education course requirements in addition to AHC 115*, COMM 2025 or COMM 2045, and OPHT 1205, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in the required general education and pre-requisite courses.  Once students are admitted to the program, three consecutive semesters of intensive full-time study are required for graduation.  For more information refer to the Health Sciences Associate of Applied Science Degrees section in the Catalog.

All students graduating with a degree from VSCC are required to take the E-Proficiency Profile (EPP) to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found at https://www.volstate.edu/graduation/exit-exams.

Program​ Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

  1. Graduates will utilize and apply their knowledge of ophthalmic technology to solve problems in a clinical setting.

  2. Graduates of the program will assume positions as entry-level technicians in a variety of eye-care settings.

  3. Graduates will perform ophthalmic skills at the technician level with competency and safety as defined by national certification and accreditation standards set forth by JCAHPO and ICA.

  4. Graduates of the program will be able to perform patient testing and demonstrate proper documentation in the patient record.

  5. Graduates will demonstrate proficiency with the terminology and abbreviations used within the field of ophthalmic technology.

  6. Graduates will demonstrate and apply their knowledge of the rules and regulations of the boards and agencies involved in the field of ophthalmic technology.

CIP Code: (31) 51.1803.00    SOC Code: 31-9092

General Education Requirements - Credits (16)


  • ENGL 1010 - ^English Composition I Credits: (3)
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts  (See General Education Requirements in Catalog) Credits: (3)
  • MATH 1010 - ^Math for General Studies Credits: (3) OR HIGHER
  • BIOL 2010 - ^Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: (4)
  • PSYC 1030 - ^Introduction to Psychology Credits: (3)

Major Core Course Requirements - Credits (44)


  • AHC 115 - *Medical Terminology Credits: (3)
  • COMM 2025 - ^Fundamentals of Communication Credits: (3)
  • OR  COMM 2045 - ^Public Speaking  Credits: (3)

  • OPHT 1205 - *Introduction to Ophthalmic Technology Credits: (2)
  • OPHT 2202 - *Ocular Anatomy and Physiology Credits: (2)
  • OPHT 2221 - *Basic Ophthalmic Pharmacology Credits: (2)
  • OPHT 2223 - *Introduction to Ophthalmic Diseases Credits: (2)
  • OPHT 2310 - *Clinical Applications I Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2320 - *Clinical Applications II Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2230 - *Clinical Applications III Credits: (1-3)
  • OPHT 2312 - *Ophthalmic Optics Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2326 - *Ocular Motility Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2327 - *Retinoscopy/Refractometry Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2350 - *Ophthalmic Procedures I Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2351 - *Ophthalmic Procedures II Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2352 - *Ophthalmic Procedures III Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2353 - *Ophthalmic Procedures IV Credits: (3)

Total Degree Requirements Credits - (60)


Recommended Schedule


This is a recommended schedule. Learning Support, pre-requisites and other academic factors may impact this schedule.  See your advisor to create a degree plan.

DegreeWorks, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the DegreeWorks audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

First Year - Fall Semester - Credits (12)


  • BIOL 2010 - ^Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: (4)
  • MATH 1010 - ^Math for General Studies Credits: (3) OR HIGHER
  • AHC 115 - *Medical Terminology Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 1205 - *Introduction to Ophthalmic Technology Credits: (2)

First Year - Spring Semester - Credits (12)


  • ENGL 1010 - ^English Composition I Credits: (3)
  • PSYC 1030 - ^Introduction to Psychology Credits: (3)
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts  (See General Education Requirements in Catalog) Credits: (3)
  • COMM 2025 - ^Fundamentals of Communication Credits: (3)
  • OR  COMM 2045 - ^Public Speaking  Credits: (3)

Second Year - Fall Semester - Credits (13)


  • OPHT 2202 - *Ocular Anatomy and Physiology Credits: (2)
  • OPHT 2223 - *Introduction to Ophthalmic Diseases Credits: (2)
  • OPHT 2310 - *Clinical Applications I Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2312 - *Ophthalmic Optics Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2350 - *Ophthalmic Procedures I Credits: (3)

Second Year - Spring Semester - Credits (14)


  • OPHT 2221 - *Basic Ophthalmic Pharmacology Credits: (2)
  • OPHT 2320 - *Clinical Applications II Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2326 - *Ocular Motility Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2327 - *Retinoscopy/Refractometry Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2351 - *Ophthalmic Procedures II Credits: (3)

Second Year - Summer Semester (9)


  • OPHT 2230 - *Clinical Applications III Credits: (1-3)
  • OPHT 2352 - *Ophthalmic Procedures III Credits: (3)
  • OPHT 2353 - *Ophthalmic Procedures IV Credits: (3)