Optician

This course introduces the structure of the different systems within the human body and describes how those systems work together to maintain homeostasis and keep the body alive. You will identify anatomical parts and describe the organization and relationships between chemical units, cellular components, tissues, organs and systems.

This applied computer course provides students with critical electronic communications, data and file management skills, along with a strong focus on using common productivity applications to format, calculate, analyze, visualize, and present or report data and information.

Equivalents:

• COMP 261

This practical, lab-based course introduces learners to the foundational skills of optical dispensing and contact lens fitting. Through hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and equipment, students will learn to take precise measurements, verify single vision spectacle prescriptions, and apply infection control protocols in a clinical setting. Building on prior knowledge of soft contact lenses, learners will assess patient suitability, perform ocular measurements, and fit contact lenses using appropriate techniques. Emphasis is placed on developing professional communication skills, interpreting prescriptions, and recommending contact lens options tailored to individual patient needs. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to support patient outcomes through accurate dispensing and personalized care.

This course introduces students to the core principles and practices of single vision eyeglass dispensing. Students will learn to assess patient needs, interpret prescriptions, and select appropriate lenses and frames. Emphasis is placed on developing technical skills in equipment use, measurement collection, and eyewear fitting. Through practical application and guided instruction, students will gain the competencies required to deliver accurate and personalized optical solutions that support patient comfort and visual performance.

This course begins with an introduction to the history of contact lenses and moves through milestones in development, manufacturing processes, assessment methods, and the different lens options, including the range of products available for care and cleaning. The course also covers different patient factors and characteristics that impact the success of contact lens wear, the different types of manual and automated instruments used in contact lens fitting procedures, and how to take measurements and evaluate patient data and needs assessment information. Finally, this course addresses soft contact lens patient education as a means to support continued ocular health, visual acuity, and comfort, as well as product-based care systems and follow-up procedures.

Explore the intricate structure and function of the human eye in this foundational course. Through an integrated study of ocular anatomy and physiology, students will examine the development, organization, and operation of the visual system. Emphasis is placed on understanding the mechanisms of image formation, visual pathways, and common refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Students will also investigate the physiological basis of ocular diseases, disorders, and injuries, including the role of microbiology in anterior segment pathology. This course equips learners with the essential knowledge to interpret visual field testing, assess binocular vision and ocular motility, and apply principles of ocular first aid and injury prevention.

This course introduces principles and standards pertaining to clinical procedures in eye care. These include ethics, legislation, professional regulation, job roles, teamwork, and professionalism.

This course introduces ophthalmic concepts that pertain directly to patient care. These include: pretesting and supplementary testing, eyewear frames and lenses, contact lenses, refraction and ocular health, and office procedures. Communication with patients, and addressing the needs of various patient populations, are also covered throughout this course.

This course provides a comprehensive study of advanced contact lens modalities with a focus on gas permeable (GP) and specialty soft lenses (multifocal, colored/cosmetic, pediatric, and prosthetic). Students examine the historical development of advanced lens designs; lens materials, parameters, and wear modalities; and the applied optics underpinning fit, vision, and comfort. Emphasis is placed on patient-centered selection based on physiology, prescription needs, corneal irregularities, lifestyle, and medications. Learners will practice fitting procedures for GP and advanced soft lenses; assess fit using established clinical criteria; refine lens selection to optimize comfort and acuity; and document findings using professional standards. The course concludes with patient education, hygiene and care systems, product-based maintenance regimens, and evidence-based follow-up protocols to promote long-term ocular health, vision, and comfort.

Pre-requisites:

• PRCT 252

This hands-on course builds on previous learning, and enhances student competencies in a dispensing lab setting. Focus is placed on proficiency with the slit-lamp and its illuminations, in order to detect anomalies and concerns that rise from the fitting process. Further, students will learn how to properly obtain patient medical history, and convert spectacle prescriptions into contact lens prescriptions. Finally, students will be trained to insert and remove contact lenses, and perform visual assessment on patients.

Pre-requisites:

• PRCT 252

This comprehensive course explores the principles and practices involved in the dispensing and fitting of bi-focal, tri-focal, and progressive eyeglasses. Students will examine the historical evolution and optical concepts behind multi-focal lens designs, gaining a deep understanding of how these lenses address diverse visual needs. Learners will develop the skills to recommend appropriate frame and lens options based on prescription requirements, patient preferences, and lifestyle considerations. Emphasis is placed on technical and optical considerations such as pupillary distance, lens preparation, edging, and quality assurance standards. The course also addresses patient-centered strategies for eyewear fitting, troubleshooting, and follow-up care to support successful adaptation to multi-focal lenses.

Pre-requisites:

• PRCT 252

This course introduces learners to the principles and techniques of automated and manual refraction. Students will learn to assess visual acuity, identify refractive errors, and operate key instruments such as phoropters, trial frames, retinoscopes, and autorefractors. Topics include professional practice limitations, optical concepts, subjective vs objective refraction, and prescription bench-marking. Learners will evaluate patient health and lifestyle factors, refine prescriptions, and develop care plans to support visual comfort and adaptation. This course also covers near vision assessment, presbyopic solutions, and strategies for recommending and communicating final prescriptions.

Pre-requisites:

• PRCT 252

This advanced course builds on previous learning. and deepens students' understanding of manual and automated refraction techniques, emphasizing the assessment and interpretation of visual acuity, visual fields, and binocular vision. Learners will refine their skills in operating specialized instruments such as retinoscopes, phoropters, and tonometers, and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) systems. Through case-based learning, students will evaluate patient history, identify visual deficiencies, and explore both surgical and non-surgical alternatives to traditional eyewear. The course also focuses on prescription decision-making, integrating patient data, ocular and systemic health considerations, and lifestyle factors to support individualized vision care.

Pre-requisites:

• HSCI 301

This course will introduce how systemic diseases can have eye implications and must not be overlooked when considering diagnosis of an eye disease or disorder. The course will also focus on medication classifications, safe medication calculations, and safe medication administration, alongside an introduction to common ocular medications and over the counter (OTC) products.

This advanced course builds on core dispensing skills to prepare students for designing and fitting complex eyewear solutions. Topics include custom lenses for multi-focal, task-specific, pediatric, and low-vision needs, as well as managing conditions like aphakia, anisometropia, and vertical imbalance. Students gain knowledge regarding optical calculations, lens selection, fabrication, and equipment use, while developing patient-centered strategies for vision care and follow-up. Upon completion, students will be equipped to deliver precise, personalized eyewear in diverse clinical settings.

Pre-requisites:

• HSCI 253

This hands-on course builds on foundational clinical theory to develop students' proficiency in assessing and correcting refractive errors. Through guided practice with manual and automated equipment - including phoropters, trial frames, retinoscopes, and autorefractors - students learn to conduct single-vision refractions and refine prescriptions based on patient needs. Emphasis is placed on interpreting patient data, managing expectations, and creating personalized plans of care. By integrating clinical reasoning with technical skill, students gain confidence in performing objective and subjective refraction techniques, and recommending appropriate eyewear solutions.

Pre-requisites:

• PRCT 252

This course continues to study advanced hard and soft lens design and fitting. It will also study special lens fitting considerations and modifications with respect to contact lenses and out of the ordinary ocular conditions. The course continues the learning of the pre-assessments required to fit contact lenses, and provides a detailed outline of all requirements necessary in the fitting of contact lenses. Assessment of the adnexa and cornea surface will be thoroughly discussed. Soft lens materials, wearing schedules, modalities, and indicators of contact lens wear are also covered.

Pre-requisites:

• HSCI 250

This advanced course builds on foundational knowledge in contact lens and optical dispensing, guiding students through the precise measurement, fitting, and verification of complex contact lenses and eyeglasses. Emphasis is placed on refining clinical techniques, mastering manual equipment, and developing patient-centered strategies to support successful visual outcomes.

Pre-requisites:

• HSCI 252

Building on previous learning, this hands-on clinical course advances students' refracting competencies through immersive practice in visual acuity testing, manual and objective assessment of refractive errors, and prescription determination for vision correction. Learners will refine their skills using phoropters, trial frames, retinoscopes, and advanced diagnostic tools including tonometers, direct ophthalmoscopes, OCT systems, and visual field testing equipment. Emphasis is placed on integrating patient history, ocular findings, and individual needs to guide accurate and personalized refractive decisions. Students will also develop strategies for assessing diverse patient populations and modifying prescriptions based on clinical data, lifestyle factors, and ocular conditions, to support optimal visual outcomes.

Pre-requisites:

• HSCI 350

This course places a strong emphasis on professional selling practices, ethical conduct, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in sales activities. It explores the creation of long-term organizational value through customer relationships while examining the evolution of the sales profession. Market analysis methods for identifying growth opportunities and key customer segments are covered extensively. Furthermore, significant attention is given to customer-centric selling techniques, including relationship building, needs analysis, and comprehensive CRM strategies. The course also addresses vital aspects of managing a sales team, encompassing organizational structuring, sales forecasting, recruitment, training methodologies, performance evaluation, legal and ethical considerations within the sales domain.

Equivalents:

• MKTG 2366

Learners are provided with the opportunity to rotate through specific clinical settings in order to achieve identified clinical objectives required for achieving entry-level competencies as specified by the National Association of Canadian Optician Regulators (NACOR) Competency Profile.

Pre-requisites:

• COMP 264
• HSCI 207
• HSCI 214
• HSCI 217
• HSCI 219
• HSCI 221
• HSCI 223
• HSCI 309
• MKTG 366
• PROF 240

One of:

• ANPH 204
• ANPH 220

In this practicum course, you will rotate through a variety of clinical settings to achieve specific clinical objectives. These objectives are aligned with the entry-level competencies defined by the National Association of Optician Regulators.

Pre-requisites:

• HSCI 308
• HSCI 311
• HSCI 351
• HSCI 352
• HSCI 371

As future health care professionals, students in this course will require strategies for working effectively and respectfully within interdisciplinary teams. The course examines topics such as conflict management, problem solving, decision making, customer service, leadership, ethics and values in the health care workplace.