Optician Certification Training

Online Optician Certification Training

Prepare for ABO Optician Certification Online

American Board of Opticianry (ABO) certification is the nationally recognized standard for certifying an optician’s qualifications. This 100% online course will teach you the terminology, calculations, and procedures opticians use to assess vision, evaluate corrective options and correct optical problems. Using a step-by-step methodology, you will prepare to test on key areas required by the ABO certification exam.

Job Outlook for Opticians

Due to an aging population and emerging technologies in vision correction and options in eyewear, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects robust opportunities for opticians. It expects job growth for opticians to expand by 7% between now and 2028, faster than average growth for all jobs.

Opticians earned $37,840 on average for 2019, according to BLS data. PayScale.com notes that top opticians earn over $52,000 in pay and associated bonuses.

Opticians overwhelmingly enjoy their work. Among 10,000 employees in more than 200 jobs surveyed by Business Insider, only opticians scored a 100% job satisfaction rate. The survey results noted that opticians incur less stress and enjoy the results of their work more than other professions.

Course Objectives

  • Prepare to take and pass the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) exam
  • Learn how to understand and assign prescriptions to customers
  • Develop an understanding of the human eye and its functions
  • Understand corrective eye care solutions available for patients
  • Learn how prisms and lenses work

Curriculum

  • WHAT IS AN OPTICIAN?
  • THE PARTS OF THE EYE
  • REFRACTIVE ERRORS
  • STRABISMUS AND AMBLYOPIA
  • OTHER COMMON OCULAR CONDITIONS
  • FRAME BASICS
  • FRAME STYLING
  • ALIGNING FRAMES
  • ADJUSTING FRAMES
  • A QUICK LOOK AT LIGHT
  • READING A PRESCRIPTION
  • MORE ABOUT PRESCRIPTIONS AND LENS TYPES
  • LENS MATERIALS
  • PRISM BASICS
  • FRESNEL PRISMS
  • OPTICAL EFFECTS OF LENS CURVATURE
  • MULTIFOCAL LENS CONSIDERATIONS
  • THE MANUAL LENSOMETER
  • MORE ABOUT OPTICIANRY MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS
  • SIMPLE MATH AND ALGEBRA
  • SOFT CONTACT LENSES
  • GAS-PERMEABLE CONTACT LENSES
  • LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND ETHICS
  • PREPARING FOR THE ABO EXAM

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, a high school diploma or GED is required to take the ABO exam.

Instructor

Dr. Beverly Smith is a Doctor of Optometry and has been in private practice for more than 24 years. She also holds a Master of Business Administration and founded a consulting firm that helps new practitioners start and manage their own eye care practices. Throughout her career, Smith has taught many future opticians, certified paraoptometrics, and fellow optometrists. Her work has been published in the professional journals New O.D. and Women in Optometry.

FAQs

  1. What do opticians do?
    Opticians use data from prescriptions made by Optometrists or Ophthalmologists to help patients and customers fit glasses or contact lenses. They may take measurements of the ocular area, recommend appropriate frames or contact lenses and help fit and adjust frames or lenses as needed.
  2. Is certification necessary for opticians?
    Many US states require certification for opticians. In those that do not, many clinics, eye health facilities and professionals require certification as a condition of optician employment. ABO certification generally meets both requirements. However, we do recommend researching the state requirements prior to pursuing a career as an optician.
  3. What does the ABO exam involve?
    The ABO exam covers ophthalmic science and a combination of ocular anatomy, principles of ophthalmic products and instruments, dispensing procedures and legal considerations for opticians.
  4. What skills are important for opticians?
    Opticians need to be able to read and fill prescriptions, calculate formulas, use ophthalmic equipment, keep up with eyewear styles and trends, relate to patients, and understand human eyes and the difficulties and diseases they encounter.
  5. Can I register for programs if I am an international student?
    Yes, because ed2go programs are online you never have to actually travel to the school.  Most schools offer telephone or online registration.
  6. How long does it take to complete a program?
    All of our programs are self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start them when you want and finish them at your own pace.  When you register, you’ll receive six (6) months to complete the program.
  7. What if I don’t have enough time to complete my program within the time frame provided?
    The time allotted to complete your program has been calculated based on the number of hours for each program, so don’t worry too much about not completing in time. If, after a concerted effort, you are still unable to complete, your Student Advisor will help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that a fee may be charged for an extension.
  8. Do I have to buy additional materials?
    No
  9. Can I get financial assistance?
    ed2go courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid.  In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses.  Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements.
  10. What happens when I complete the program? 
    Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.
  11. Am I guaranteed a job?
    ed2go programs will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases.  We don’t provide direct job placement services, but our facilitators and career counselors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job.  Facilitators will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the program.  Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
  12. Who will be my instructor?
    Each student is paired with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction.  The facilitator will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance.  All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.
  13. How can I get more information about this program?
    If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please feel free to contact us at cpe@ecu.edu. You may also call ed2go directly at 1-877-221-5151.We will answer your questions promptly.
  14. When can I start the program?
    Our programs are all open enrollment.  You can register and start the program as soon as you are ready.Please note: Once the program curriculum is accessed online or through submission of a material shipment confirmation, refunds cannot be issued.
  15. Does this program prepare for a certification?
    Yes, you will be prepared to take the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) certification.

Registration and Enrollment

This course is 100% online. Start anytime.