See Clearly, Build Your Future in Eye Care.
The Eye Care Technology pathway at San Jacinto College prepares students for rewarding careers in the vision care industry, where technical skill and patient service go hand in hand. Through hands-on training and clinical experience, students learn the essentials of optical dispensing, lens fabrication, eye anatomy, refractometry, and patient interaction. Beginning with the internationally recognized, award-winning Optician Preparatory Occupational Certificate, students can immediately launch a rewarding career that’s in demand. Students can also build their expertise through the Certificate of Technology and advance to the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Eye Care Technology. Each level provides a steppingstone toward professional certification and endless career growth.
Career Opportunities and Income
Visit sanjac.edu for information regarding career opportunities and potential earnings in the Greater Houston region.
Job Entry Requirements. In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508 amendments to Texas Occupations Code Sec 53.152, 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 program’s department chair.
Learning & Career Pathway
This learning pathway - a series of related and “stacked” certificates and degrees - includes the following awards. You can start at any point on the path and earn certificates on your way to completing the degree.
- Eye Care Technology, Certificate of Technology (11 months)
- Eye Care Technology, Associate of Applied Science (2 years)
Learning Outcomes and Career Skills
- Analyze the functions and structures of each system; evaluate pharmacological effects on all systemic and ocular structures as well as apply their knowledge of microbiology as it relates.
- Communicate effectively with co-workers, vendors, sales representatives and other healthcare professionals as well as empathetically with patients and their family.
- Emulate the scope of practice as certified AOP and general responsibilities in an eye care team.
- Schedule appointments appropriately and specify procedures for ensuring the confidentiality of health records following ethical and legal standards as per HIPAA.
- Evaluate acute emergency situations by following universal precautions during patient encounters as they apply standards of care.
- Develop the ability to maintain clinical asepsis and collect specimens while remaining in the boundaries of their scope of practice.
- Design and deliver health education information within the local community by identifying community-based and provider-based strategies to improve utilization of eye care services within a diverse population.
- Perform basic skills as outlined by ICA standards as required of professional eye care technicians.
- Perform intermediate skills as outlined by ICA standards as required of professional eye care technicians.
- Perform advanced skills as outlined by ICA standards as required of professional eye care technicians.
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 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
External Learning Experiences
This program includes external learning experiences outside of the classroom, e.g., an internship, externship, clinical, practicum, or cooperative learning experience. Those experiences are typically on-site at a business or organization.
All students participating in external learning experiences are required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the external learning sites. Some learning sites outside the college have their own vaccination requirements. These rules come from those facilities and are not mandated by the college. Failure to meet those immunization requirements 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 external learning site.
Locations
College Admission
San Jacinto College is an open admission institution. All students are welcome to apply and will be admitted to the College. You may begin the process on the College’s “How to Apply” webpage.
Program Admission
In addition to being admitted to the College, students must also be admitted to the Eye Care program which has additional requirements and/or steps that can be found on the college website.
Plan of Study
4EYE
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| OPTS 1311 | Visual System | 3 |
| OPTS 2341 | Ophthalmic Techniques | 3 |
| OPTS 1319 | Vision Care Office Procedures | 3 |
| HPRS 1106 | Essentials of Medical Terminology | 1 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Second Term | ||
| OPTS 1401 | Ophthalmic Dispensing | 4 |
| OPTS 1315 | Basic Contact Lenses | 3 |
| HPRS 1105 | Medical Law/Ethics for Health Professions | 1 |
| OPTS 1266 | Practicum | 2 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Summer Year One Term | ||
| OPTS 2431 | Advanced Ophthalmic Dispensing | 4 |
| POFM 1327 | Medical Insurance | 3 |
| OPTS 2266 | Practicum | 2 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 29 | |
Capstone Experience: OPTS 2266 Practicum
Eye Care Technology students must earn a C or better in all Eye Care Technology courses (OPTS and HPRS) and maintain an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to remain in and/or graduate from the program.