Program Overview

Ophthalmic Assistant

Program Overview

Madison College's Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate expands on the Optometric Technician Program curriculum. The Ophthalmic Assistant certificate may be completed in two semesters of full-time study, plus an additional four-week clinical experience.

Program Details

• Program Number: CERT
• Degree: Certificate
• Area of Study: Health Sciences
• Delivery Method: 100% In Person
• Estimated Time to Complete: 29 Credits | Finish in 1 year
• Estimated Program Cost: $5,033.57

Admission

• Application Dates: Application available on September 15, 2025; Application completion deadline is February 1, 2026
• Admission Requirements: Applicants must be in the second semester of the in-person (not online) Madison College Optometric Technician program.
• Additional Notes:
  • Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid
  • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis
  • This certificate fills on a first-come, first-served basis; once capacity has been reached, it does not maintain a waitlist
  • Students who have already completed the certificate coursework at the time of application will receive the certificate diploma at the end of the term of application

Curriculum and Experience

• First Semester:
  • Optical Dispensing 1 (3 credits)
  • Ophthalmic Pre-Testing (3 credits)
  • Basic Optical Concepts (3 credits)
  • Ocular Anatomy (2 credits)
  • Human Relations - Optometric Technician Program (1 credit)
• Second Semester:
  • Clinical Ophthalmic Procedures (2 credits)
  • Optical Dispensing 2 (2 credits)
  • Contact Lenses (3 credits)
  • Ophthalmic Specialty Testing (3 credits)
  • Patient Relations/Pract Manage (2 credits)
  • Preclinical (2 credits)
  • Clinical Experience (3 credits)

Career Outcomes

• Job Placement: 92% job placement within six months of graduation
• Salary Range: $47,946 - $61,883 with the median salary at $54,478 (as of October 2024)
• Technical Training:
  • Patient pre-testing skills such as visual acuity, measuring eye pressure, muscle movement and pupillary assessment
  • Operating ophthalmic equipment such as phoropters, ophthalmic imaging instruments, ultrasonography, visual field testing, tonometers and lensometers
  • Assisting in ophthalmic surgery
  • Ocular anatomy and physiology
  • Ophthalmic terminology and pharmacology
  • Contact lens patient education
  • Visual training and practice management
  • Equipment maintenance and repair

Related Program

• Optometric Technician