Contact Lens Course

Program Overview

The Contact Lens Course at Bradford College is a one-year, part-time program for GOC-registered Dispensing Opticians who are ABDO members. It prepares students for the ABDO Contact Lens theoretical and practical examinations, and upon completion, graduates can pursue roles as contact lens opticians, in management, or with contact lens manufacturers. The course has strong industry links and requires students to be employed with a GOC-registered optical practice.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Contact Lens Course at Bradford College is a Level 6, part-time, one-academic-year program starting in September 2025. It's designed for General Optical Council (GOC) registered Dispensing Opticians who are full members of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). The course aims to fully prepare students for the ABDO Contact Lens Anatomy, Contact Lens Visual Optics, and Contact Lens Practice theoretical examinations, as well as the ABDO Contact Lens Practical Examinations. The course is approved by the GOC and ABDO. The syllabus is currently under review and subject to change. The qualification gained is the Assoc of British Dispensing Opticians Certificate in Contact Lens Practice.

Outline:

The course covers the following modules:

• Ocular Anatomy, Physiology and Related pathology: This module focuses on ocular structures including eyelids, tear film, lacrimal system, cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, retina, and uveal tract.
• Contact Lens Visual Optics: This module develops knowledge of optics related to vision, covering topics such as keratometry, refractive techniques, optics of the eye and contact lenses, and manufacturing methods.
• Contact Lens Practice: This module covers contact lens practice, linking practical work with theoretical perspectives.
Topics include instrumentation (e.g., slit lamp), clinical procedures (e.g., aftercare), contact lens-induced complications, design/materials/manufacture of contact lenses, clinical application of contact lenses, contact lens solutions and drugs, and clinical governance.
• Contact Lens Practical Workshop: This module prepares students for practical examinations, covering initial examination, soft lens fitting, rigid lens fitting, aftercare, contact lens verification, and the application of toric, multifocal, and therapeutic lenses.
The course involves attending college one day per week.

Assessment:

The course prepares students for the ABDO Contact Lens examinations, which include both theoretical and practical components. The theoretical papers are assessed separately by ABDO in Birmingham. The practical examinations are also conducted by ABDO in Birmingham.

Careers:

Upon successful completion, graduates can pursue roles such as:

• Contact lens optician in private practice, NHS, or large organizations.
• Management positions in organizations.
• Employment with a contact lens manufacturer.
• Specialized training in dry eye and myopia control management.

Other:

The course has strong industry links, with speakers from companies like CooperVision, Alcon, Bausch and Lomb, No7 Contact Lenses, and the Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers (ACLM). ABDO and GOC membership are required for the program. The course requires students to be employed with a GOC-registered optical practice, working at least one day per week as a trainee contact lens optician under a qualified supervisor.