The first level of the Paraoptometric Certificate Program consists of 12 hours of lectures in four subject areas:

• Ophthalmic Dispensing 1
• Ophthalmic Lenses 1
• Introduction to Patient Care 1
• Contact Lenses 1

Students may complete all 12 hours at one location OR take only part of the hours at one location and then take additional hours at future program offerings. Following completion of the lecture series, students may sit for a test to demonstrate their competency in the subject matter. Students must pass tests in all four subject areas in order to receive a certificate from the Indiana University School of Optometry acknowledging their completion of Level 1 of the program. The sessions are noncredit courses, thus do not count toward a degree at Indiana University.

For more information, contact Sue Gilmore at the Indiana University School of Optometry.

	URL: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/ce/paraopt/level1.htm Revised: December 1, 2007
	IU Optometry home page: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/ Comments: Web Administrator Page design and coding: Terri Greene Copyright © 2007, The Trustees of Indiana University

• Part I. Frame Types and Parts. Frame Measurement and Markings.
  An introduction to dispensing basic terminology for types and parts of a frame and commonly used frame materials. Learn how to measure frames and identify markings.
• Part II. Lens Insertion. Standard Alignment: Plastic and Metal.
  Learn techniques to insert the lenses into a frame and steps necessary to "true" a frame or put it in standard alignment before fitting a frame to the wearer.
• Part III. Frame Adjustments and Fitting.
  Frame adjusting shouldn't be trial and error. Learn a systematic approach to fitting and adjusting frames.

  Bring the following recommended materials to all three sections of Ophthalmic Dispensing: millimeter rule several pairs of old glasses (plastic and metal frames with lenses) pliers (snipe/chain nose pliers and nosepad pliers)

• Part I. The Nature of Light, Refraction, and Refractive Index.
  In this first segment, we will be looking at what happens to light when it strikes a reflecting or refracting surface. How light changes direction when striking a mirrored or a clear surface will provide a foundation for understanding ophthalmic lenses.
• Part II. When Light Strikes Flat and Curved Surfaces.
  Next we will discuss how lenses and lens surfaces shape the path of light. Once we grasp these concepts, we then have the basis for understanding the lenses we work with on a daily basis.
• Part III. Grasping the Concept of Lens Power.
  Most lens prescriptions are represented by a series of 3 numbers. We need to know what these numbers really mean. In this segment we will look at the conventions used in prescription writing. We will investigate spheres, cylinders and spherocylinder lenses and clarify how their powers may be specified.
• Part IV. Looking at Lens Materials.
  In this section we look at how we can choose the most appropriate lens material for our patients. Each of the most common lens materials are compared for things like refractive index, density, thickness, abbŽ value, and impact resistance.
• Part V. Lens Form and Vergence.
  Lenses can be made in diverse forms and still result in the same power. Lens prescriptions may also be written differently and still refer to the same lens. In this session we will look at prescription writing and lens transposition. We will also show why a change in object distance will result in a different focal point.

• Part I. Case History and Chief Complaint.
  This course covers the importance of case history and its relationship to the optometric examination. We will explore the signs and symptoms of some of the more common types of ocular discomfort, abnormality and disease and discuss what it means when a patient has a certain type of vision complaint. Emphasis will be placed on the proper procedures for taking and recording the case history, including the use of abbreviations and confidentiality.
• Part II. Visual Acuity.
  The course will define visual acuity and discuss what it means to be 20/20 . . . or 20/200. We will talk about the different methods and procedures used to measure visual acuity, and what it means when the patient's vision can not be corrected to 20/20.
• Part III. Accommodation, Presbyopia, and Convergence.
  The focusing ability of the lens and the role of accommodation in maintaining good vision at near will be discussed, along with the effect of age on accommodation and the ability to see clearly at different distances. We will discuss the relationship between accommodation and convergence, and how the eyes move when the lens changes focus. We also will explore the importance of accommodation and convergence to the maintenance of good binocular vision.
• Part IV. Refractive Errors.
  The course will cover the refractive status of the eye and the difference between emmetropia and ametropia. We will talk about the different types of ametropia and their effect on vision. We also will discuss the use of ophthalmic lenses in correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

• Part I. Lens Types, Designs, Uses, and Terminology.
  The different contact lens types and designs will be illustrated and discussed. Lens parameters, terminology, and designs along with how they are used will be explained.
• Part II. Lens Inspection and Verification.
  Basic lens inspection techniques will be illustrated.
• Part III. Lens Care and Patient Education.
  The formulation of contact lens solutions and specific lens care systems for both hydrogel and rigid lenses will be covered. Advantages, disadvantages, potential problems, and proper use of the systems are explained. Different techniques for placement and removal of hydrogel and rigid lenses as well as recentering rigid lenses will be demonstrated.