Is school for you, or should you go with on-the-job-training. Explore your options.
Below are listed schools in the U.S. and Canada, ophthalmic assistant training programs, ophthalmic technician training programs, and ophthalmic technologist training programs.
For a list according to location in North America, scroll down.
If you are looking for ophthalmic assistant training online, or ophthalmic technician training online, or ophthalmic technologist training online, you will not find an accredited program that is exclusively online. The problem is that accredited programs must provide practical (hands-on) training and that cannot be done online.
However, there are courses available that may help you find an entry level job, even if you have no prior experience. More information here.
Click here for more information on the on-the-job training route.
CANADA
Centennial College* (A)
Ophthalmic Medical Personnel Program
941 Progress Avenue
Toronto, ON, CANADA M1G 3T8
Phone: 416-289-5000
FAX: 416-694-5589
Institute of Paramedical Training in Eye Health
Montreal, Quebec, CANADA
Claire Ouellette
IWK Health Centre/Dalhousie University (TG)
IWK Health Centre/Dalhousie Clinical Vision Science Program
Eye Clinic, 6th Floor
PO Box 9700
5850/5980 University Ave.
Halifax, NS, CANADA B3K 6R8
Phone: 902-470-8019
FAX: 902-470-7207
Kingston Ophthalmic Training Centre (T & TG)
Department of Ophthalmology
Hotel Dieu Hospital
166 Brock Street
Kingston, ON, CANADA K7L 5G2
Phone: 613-544-3400 ext. 2421
FAX: 613-544-3991
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology* (A)
Ophthalmic Assistant Training Program
1301 16th Avenue NW
Calgary, AB, CANADA T2M 0L4
Phone: 403-284-8004
FAX: 403-284-8171
Stanton Territorial Health Authority (TG)
Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Training Program
Stanton Eye Clinic
P.O. Box 10
Goga Cho Building, 47th Street
Yellowknife, NT, CANADA X1A 2N1
Phone: 867-873-9285
FAX: 867-920-7992
University of Ottawa Eye Institute (TG)
Honours Bachelor of Science in Ophthalmic Medical Technology
The Ottawa Hospital
General Campus
501 Smyth Road
Ottawa, ON, CANADA K1H 8L6
Phone: 613-737-8362
FAX: 613-737-8836
United States
ACCREDITED PROGRAMS ALPHABETICAL BY STATE
ARKANSAS
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (TG)
Ophthalmic Medical Technology (Bachelor of Science Degree)
Jones Eye Institute
4301 W Markham, Mail Slot 523
Little Rock, AR 72205-7199
Phone: 501-526-5880
Fax: 501-603-1289
ARIZONA
GateWay Community College (A)
1245 E. Buckeye Road
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: 602-238-0088
CALIFORNIA
USC Roski Eye Institute (T) *In the process of accreditation
Ophthalmic Technician Education Program
1450 San Pablo Street, Third Floor
HCC4 Room 3614
Los Angeles, CA 90033
COLORADO
Pima Medical Institute - Denver (T)
Ophthalmic Medical Technician (Associate of Occupational Science)
7475 Dakin St.
Denver, CO 80221
Phone: 303-426-1800
CONNECTICUT
Housatonic Community College (A) *In the process of accreditation
900 Lafayette Blvd
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Phone: 203-332-5057
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Georgetown University (A, T, & TG)
Ophthalmic Medical Personnel Training Program
3800 Reservoir Rd. NW,
Dept. Ophthalmology LL-PHC
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-444-4862
Fax: 202-444-1417
FLORIDA
Florida State College at Jacksonville (T)
Ophthalmic Technician Program
4501 Capper Road
Jacksonville, FL 32218
Phone: 904-713-4548
Palm Beach State College (TG) Ophthalmic Medical Technology Program (Associate in Science Degree)
3160 PGA Blvd
Mailstop 45 SC 132
West Palm Beach, FL 33410
Phone: 561-207-5726
ILLINOIS
College of DuPage (CA) *In the process of accreditation
Eye Care Assistant Program
425 Farwell Blvd
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Phone: 630-942-8398
Triton College (T)
Ophthalmic Technician (Associate of Applied Science)
2000 5th Avenue
River Grove, IL 60171
Phone: 708-456-0300 ext. 3934
LOUISIANA
Delgado Community College (CA)
Ophthalmic Assistant Program
Allied Health Division
615 City Park Ave, Bldg #4
New Orleans, LA 70119-4399
Phone: 504-289-4432
MICHIGAN
Henry Ford Community College (T)
Ophthalmic Technician Program
5101 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128-1495
Phone: 313-845-9877
MINNESOTA
Regions Hospital (T, TG, & A)
School of Ophthalmic Medical Technology
864 Terrace Court
St. Paul, MN 55130
Phone: 651-254-3000
St. Catherine University (T)
Ophthalmic Technician Program (Associate of Applied Science)
601 25th Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: 651-690-8846
Alexandria Technical & Community College (T)
1601 Jefferson Street
Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: 320-762-0221
Fax: none
NEW JERSEY
Camden County College (T)
Ophthalmic Medical Technician Certificate
200 College Drive
Blackwood, NJ 08012
Phone: 856-374-5058
NORTH CAROLINA
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (CA)
Ophthalmic Clinical Assistant Program
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: 828-398-7936
Caldwell Community College (CA)
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant Program
2855 Hickory Blvd
Hudson, NC 28638
Phone: 828-759-4248
Fax: 828-726-2489
Central Piedmont Community College (CA)
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant Program
PO Box 35009
Central Campus, Belk 1104
Charlotte, NC 28235
Phone: 704-330-2722 ext. 3444
Duke University School of Medicine (T)
Ophthalmic Medical Technician Training Program
Box 3802
2351 Erwin Rd
Durham, NC 27710
Phone: 919-681-9157
Sandhills Community College (CA)
3395 Airport Road
Pinehurst, NC 28374
Phone: 910-695-3937
OHIO
Mercy College (CA)
Ophthalmic Technology Certificate Program
2221 Madison Ave
Toledo, OH 43604
Phone: 419-251-6173
Miami Valley Career Technology Center(CA)
Ophthalmic Assistant Program
6800 Hoke Road
Clayton, OH 45315
Phone: 937-854-6297
Fax: 937-837-5619
Stark State College (CA & T) *In the process of accreditation
Ophthalmic Technology
6200 Frank Ave NW
North Canton, OH 44720
Phone: 330-966-5458, Ext 4927
OKLAHOMA
Tulsa Technology Center (CA)
Vision Care Technology
Health Careers Centers
PO Box 477200
Tulsa, OK 74147
Phone: 918-828-1200
OREGON
Klamath Community College (A) *In the process of accreditation
Non-Clinical Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
7390 South 6th Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
Portland Community College (T)
Ophthalmic Medical Technology (Associate of Applied Science)
705 N. Killingsworth St.
Portland, OR 97217
Phone: 971-722-5666
TENNESSEE
Volunteer State Community College (T)
Ophthalmic Technician Program (Associate of Applied Science)
1480 Nashville Pike, Annex 400, Rm 104A
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: 615-230-3723
TEXAS
Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) (A)
300-68 WP3 Eye Specialty Course
3176 Cpl Johnson Road Bldg 1291
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Phone: 210-808-3775
San Jacinto College (T)
EyeCare Technology (Associate of Applied Science Degree)
8060 Spencer Highway
C11-1010
Pasadena, TX 77505
Phone: 281-478-3606
South Texas Academy for Medical Professions (A) *In the process of accreditation
Ophthalmic Assistant
10650 North Expressway 77/83
Olmito, Texas 78575
Phone: 956-214-6100
Tarrant County College (A)
Trinity River Campus
300 Trinity Campus Circle
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: 817-515-1071
Tyler Junior College (A)
Vision Care Technology
1500 E. Fifth St.
Tyler, TX 75701
Phone: 903-510-2020
WASHINGTON
Renton Technical College (CA)
Ophthalmic Assistant Program
3000 NE Fourth Street
Renton, WA 98056
Phone: 425-235-2470
WISCONSIN
Madison Area Technical College (CA)
Ophthalmic Clinical Assistant Program
1705 Hoffman Street
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 608-246-6557
PUERTO RICO
University of Puerto Rico* (T)
Ophthalmic Technology Program
Medical Sciences Campus
PO Box 365067
San Juan, PR 00936-5067
Phone: 787-758-2525
FAX: 787-751-0636