Eye Care, Optician Preparatory, Occupational Certificate

Program Information

If you’ve always been fascinated by the human eye and have the desire to develop the knowledge base to perform skills under the supervision of licensed eye care professionals, then the San Jacinto College Eye Care Technology program is for you.

Through our nationally recognized program, students learn a variety of skills including:

• Obtaining histories,
• Performing diagnostic tests,
• Understanding refractometry,
• Recording functional ocular measurements and tests,
• Administering topical ophthalmic and oral medications,
• Instructing patients,
• Maintaining equipment,
• Sterilizing surgical instruments,
• Assisting in ophthalmic surgery,
• Fitting of contact lenses, and
• Practicing opticianry.

Program Accreditation

The San Jacinto College Eye Care Technology program is accredited by the International Council of Accreditation (ICA). The program requires formal entry via an interview with the Program Director. Only those students who have been officially admitted to the College and have met the Eye Care Technology admission criteria will be considered. The department offers three graduation options: Occupational Certificate, Certificate of Technology, and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. It is designed to connect the classroom and laboratory training with external clinical instruction at leading ophthalmic centers and practices.

International Council of Accreditation (ICA)
2025 Woodlane Dr.
St. Paul, MN 55125

Phone: 651-731-7241
Fax: 651-731-0410

All health care students are subject to criminal background and drug screening checks prior to entry. In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.  

The program begins fall term only. Students who miss the fall entry may discuss entry options with the Program Director. Students can find more information on the College website for the Eye Care Technology program. 

Graduates of our Eye Care Technology program have secured employment in many specialty areas of the eye care industry, including positions as:

• Clinical Research Technicians,
• Contact Lens Technicians,
• Field Service Technicians,
• Ophthalmic Assistants,
• Ophthalmic Surgical Assistants,
• Ophthalmic Technicians,
• Opticians,
• Optometric Assistants, and
• Retinal Photographers.

Certified Ophthalmic Technicians average salary: $51,733 per year¹

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant average salary: $42,500 per year¹

¹

Source: Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology

For more information, students may contact 281-478-3606.

Campus

Central Campus

International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology

Information

A criminal background check and drug screening are required for all Health Science students attending clinical courses or practicum and may be required prior to admission to the program.

The Eye Care Technology program consists of three levels of preparation. Students may obtain an Occupational Certificate, a Certificate of Technology, or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. This program is designed to correlate classroom and laboratory experience with clinical experience in ophthalmic offices and clinics.

The Eye Care Technology program is accredited by the International Council of Accreditation (ICA). The graduates of the AAS degree are eligible to petition for examination through the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology at the certified ophthalmic technician level. Graduates of any of the three levels are eligible to petition for examination through the American Board of Opticianry for certification as an optician and/or the National Contact Lens Examiner.

Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.

Admission

In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.  

Students may be considered for entry once they have submitted to the department all entrance requirements and have satisfied attending a formal meeting with the Program Director and attendance of a mandatory Eye Care Technology orientation.

The College requires formal entry into the program via departmental interview. Only those students who have been officially admitted to the College and have met all College admission criteria will be considered. The Eye Care Technology program accepts new students each fall term. Students who miss the fall entry may discuss spring or summer alternate entry options with the Program Director. The program offers face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses.

After acceptance into the program, the student must have a physical examination by a licensed professional and submit documentation of updated immunizations as well as a valid Healthcare Provider CPR card. Proof of health insurance is required prior to the start of class.

Eye Care Technology students must earn a C or better in all Eye Care Technology courses and maintain an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to remain in and/or graduate from the program. Any student earning a grade of D, W, or F in any Eye Care Technology course including General Psychology and Anatomy & Physiology, must repeat the course and pass with a grade of C or higher. A second earned grade of less than C will result in the student being dismissed from the program. To re-enter into the program, the student must submit a written petition to the Eye Care Technology admission committee and satisfy the re-admission criteria specified by the committee.

Plan of Study

6EYE-PREP

Plan of Study Grid

First Term		Credits
OPTS 1401	Ophthalmic Dispensing	4
OPTS 1311	Visual System	3
	Credits	7
Second Term
OPTS 2431	Advanced Ophthalmic Dispensing	4
OPTS 1167	Practicum - Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician	1
	Credits	5
Third Term
OPTS 2167	Practicum Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician	1
OPTS 1309	Ophthalmic Laboratory I	3
	Credits	4
	Total Credits	16

Capstone Experience: OPTS 2167 Practicum Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician

Eye Care Technology students must earn a C or better in all Eye Care Technology courses and maintain an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to remain in and/or graduate from the program.