Online Ophthalmic Technician Programs: Schools, Cost, and More
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
Healthcare Nursing Healthcare Admin Nursing Nursing Ed.This guide tells you what to expect from an ophthalmic assistant or technician online program and will help you get started on finding the school that’s right for you. Along the way, you’ll learn what’s covered in the curriculum, get answers to your key questions, and find helpful information on what it takes to get certified after you complete your program.
FAQs About Online Ophthalmic Technician Schools and Programs
How much does online ophthalmic technician school cost?
Online ophthalmic technician courses are usually affordable. The following is a sample of what some ophthalmic programs offer in terms of tuition.
Keep in mind that costs of attendance vary widely and depend on factors in addition to tuition, like residency status, public versus private institution, and financial aid.
Georgetown University
Ophthalmic Technician Training Program
Total Credits: N/A
$11,000 in tuition for the entire program
Stark State College
Ophthalmic Technology Program
Total Credits: 36
$179.60/credit (in-state)
and $308.60/credit (out-of-state)
Can I complete my ophthalmic technician program 100% online?
Many ophthalmic technician schools, like Howard Community College, offer a hybrid curriculum where students take classes online but complete labs and practicums in person.
Others are mostly in-person but allow students to complete a few classes via remote learning. This is especially true of training programs like those offered by Stark State College that has general education requirements that can be earned fully online.
Is financial aid available for online ophthalmic technician programs?
The overall cost of attendance of most online ophthalmology technician courses is relatively modest compared to earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
However, gaining a certificate, diploma, or other ophthalmic credentials can still cost thousands of dollars. That’s why many online ophthalmic technician schools like Mercy College of Ohio offer generous scholarships that pay up to 80% of tuition.
Check out our financial aid and scholarships pages to learn more about what’s available at most schools.
Types of Ophthalmic Technician Programs Offered Online
During your ophthalmic technician certification program online search, you might come across some programs intended for either prospective ophthalmic technicians or ophthalmic/optometric assistants.
What’s the difference between these programs? Let’s find out.
Ophthalmic/Optometric Assistant Programs
Ophthalmic/optometric assistant online programs are for those wishing to begin working in the field of ophthalmology and obtain certification quickly.
What is the program’s format?
Most programs have traditional, on-campus learning formats, but many also offer online learning options to create a hybrid learning model (part online and part in-person).
Because assistants generally engage in fewer clinical tasks with patients than ophthalmic technicians, there are fewer academic and training requirements.
How long does it take to finish?
Many ophthalmic assistant programs take less than a year and result in a diploma or certificate.
What are the application requirements?
To apply to an ophthalmic assistant program, most applicants need to complete or submit:
- A completed application
- A high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED)
- Criminal background checks
- Drug screening
- Basic life support skills
- Necessary vaccinations
Some schools have additional application requirements like a letter of recommendation, a personal statement, a resume, and/or admission test scores.
Ophthalmic Technician Programs
Due to the higher level of training necessary as compared to ophthalmic assistant programs, online ophthalmic technician programs aren’t very common. Some schools provide the option to earn an associate, diploma, or certificate.
What are the online components of the program?
Remote learning options for online ophthalmic technician programs are often available to students completing general education classes.
What are the admission requirements?
Similar to ophthalmic assistant programs, ophthalmic technician applicants need to complete or submit:
- An application
- Proof of a high school diploma or equivalent
- A drug test
- A criminal background check
- Basic life support skills
- Necessary vaccinations
What You’ll Learn in an Online Ophthalmic Technician Program
Given the different types of ophthalmic technician schools online, there are some fundamental differences in instruction. For instance, some programs prepare students for immediate certification after graduation with a curriculum that includes hands-on educational components.
Despite these differences, there are similar learning objectives in all programs. Those include:
- Ethics and Legal Issues: A solid grasp of the legal, professional, and ethical standards of the profession. Ophthalmology involves providing medical care in a healthcare setting, which involves various federal laws and regulations.
- Study of the eye: An advanced understanding of the physiology of the human eye. This knowledge allows ophthalmic technicians and assistants to think critically about the care they provide and how it affects patients.
- Business and administration: Foundational knowledge concerning the business and administrative aspects of an ophthalmic medical practice. This includes an understanding of its financial and logistical needs such as billing, reordering medical supplies, and patient data management.
- Eye examinations: A clear understanding of how to administer the numerous ophthalmic tests and examinations used to properly assess, diagnose and treat patients’ eyes. This includes not just the scientific concepts behind these processes but also how to effectively use the medical tools and equipment involved.
- Career preparation: Acquisition of all subject matter and knowledge necessary to take and pass a specific certification exam. Many ophthalmic technician online programs design their curriculums to prepare students to pass the written test portion of a specified national certification exam.
Common Online Ophthalmology Technician Courses
Ocular Anatomy
This is one of the first courses most ophthalmic technicians and assistant students take during. Concepts covered include parts of the human eye and how they work.
Students also learn about medical terminology used in ophthalmology and how diagnostic tools and agents help eye care professionals analyze a patient’s eye.
Optical Dispensing I
This course usually consists of classroom and laboratory components. Students learn about corrective lenses and how to handle frame and lens measurements, repairs, and assembly.
Students also learn the definitions and concepts used when preparing eyeglasses for patients.
Ophthalmic Clinical Practicum I
This class is common for programs that include real-world experience in addition to online or classroom instruction.
Students spend time at an approved ophthalmic practice to learn how to offer proper care. With supervision, students interact with other eye care professionals and patients.
Essentials of Ophthalmic Technology
This course teaches students how an ophthalmic practice operates from a clinical perspective. This means instruction on medical tools and instruments and the role of an eye care professional in patient care.
Legal and administrative concepts, such as compliance with patient privacy and workplace safety laws, are also covered.
Ophthalmic Capstone
Some programs offer a capstone class to serve as a bridge between classroom instruction and clinical practice. Faculty discuss the newest trends in eye care and how they may affect future clinical practice.
There is also practice learning that involves meeting continuing education requirements and fulfilling professional responsibility.
Accreditation for Online Ophthalmic Technician Programs
Accreditation is the process of confirming that a school’s academic offerings meet a certain level of educational quality. It ensures that the education a student receives will be recognized by other schools and employers.
When choosing an online ophthalmic assistant or technician program, prospective students should check to see if it has programmatic accreditation (specific to the program) and the school has institutional accreditation (only applies to the school).
Programmatic accreditations to look for based on program:
- For ophthalmic tech and assistant programs, students should look for accreditation by the International Council of Accreditation for Allied Ophthalmic Education Programs (ICA).
- For optometric technician or assistant programs, the accreditation to look for is that from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).
For institutional accreditation, you can search for your school through the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Employment and Salary Outlook for Ophthalmic Technicians
U.S.
$45,570
Alabama
$36,680
Alaska
$49,970
Arizona
$47,040
Arkansas
$37,340
California
$54,490
Colorado
$46,260
Connecticut
$48,270
Delaware
$44,540
District of Columbia
$50,790
Florida
$46,830
Georgia
$39,150
Hawaii
$58,240
Idaho
$38,280
Illinois
$47,100
Indiana
$43,490
Iowa
$44,030
Kansas
$43,700
Kentucky
$38,990
Louisiana
$38,750
Maine
$48,120
Maryland
$50,070
Massachusetts
$49,750
Michigan
$46,750
Minnesota
$63,080
Mississippi
$36,220
Missouri
$40,290
Montana
$47,290
Nebraska
$45,210
Nevada
$37,660
New Hampshire
$49,110
New Jersey
$49,050
New Mexico
$38,610
New York
$48,440
North Carolina
$45,150
North Dakota
$46,190
Ohio
$40,350
Oklahoma
$37,920
Oregon
$50,020
Pennsylvania
$45,050
Rhode Island
$46,500
South Carolina
$40,400
South Dakota
$42,430
Tennessee
$38,890
Texas
$43,640
Utah
$35,950
Vermont
$50,090
Virginia
$40,920
Washington
$48,840
West Virginia
$36,730
Wisconsin
$56,420
Wyoming
$35,740
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
United States
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Ophthalmic Technician Certification and Licensing
There are several certifications available for ophthalmic technicians or assistants. These certifications are great for those entering the field as well as experienced professionals seeking advanced recognition.
The following general and advanced certifications are offered by the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.
General certifications:
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) is an entry-level core designation and requires applicants to pass a three-hour, multiple-choice exam.
- Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) is another credential that requires passing a three-hour, multiple-choice exam and a skills evaluation.
Advanced certifications:
- Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) is for those who want to reach the highest levels of certification. Many applicants already have a general ophthalmic certification. To pass, applicants need to pass an exam consisting of multiple-choice questions and a performance test.
- Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting (OSA) certification offers the ability to specialize in ophthalmic surgical assisting. Applicants must already have at least one of the three certifications above and need to pass a two-hour, multiple-choice exam.
Three primary ways to earn these certifications:
- Complete a training program: Completing an accredited ophthalmic training program that includes clinical training makes you eligible for the COA, COT, and COMT certifications.
- Gain hands-on experience: Completing an accredited ophthalmic training program that does not include clinical training makes you eligible for your COA certification. But you will also need 500 hours of supervised experience in addition to completing your ophthalmic training program.
- Take and pass an exam: Obtaining 1,000 hours of supervised experience allows you to sit for the COA exam.
Related Online Allied Health Programs You May Be Interested In
Online Medical Assisting Programs
Depending on the office, a medical assistant helps support primary care providers administratively and/or clinically. What ophthalmic technicians are to ophthalmologists, medical assistants are to medical doctors, advanced practice nurses, and physician’s assistants.
Students complete these programs in as little as a few months for a certificate as much as two years to earn an associate degree.
Online Dental Assistant Programs
Dental assistant programs are similar to ophthalmic technician online schools in that students learn the basics of operating a healthcare office and foundational medical concepts in their area of specialization.
Dental assistants work with dentists to provide care for patients. An online dental assistant program often takes less than a year to complete.
Programs that might interest you:
Online Resources for Ophthalmic Technician Students and Professionals
- Paraoptometric Resources and Certification by The American Optometric Association (AOA)
- International Council of Accreditation for Allied Ophthalmic Education Programs (ICA)
- International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO)
- Discover Eye Careers by IJCAHPO
- Consortium of Ophthalmic Training Programs (COTP)
- Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO)
- Ophthalmic Assistant by The Cleveland Clinic
- OptiBoard Discussion Forums
- r/Ophthalmology
