Optometric Assistants & Technicians

Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor and surgeon (MD). Treats all eye diseases and conditions. Graduate of a medical school. Professional training 8-10 years.

Optometrist is not a medical doctor, but has extensive training in optometry. May treat some eye conditions, but mostly deals with vision problems. Graduate of an optometry school. Professional training 4 years.

Optician dispenses eyeglasses and contact lenses. Has formal training (1-2 years) or learned through an apprenticeship.

Paraoptometric personnel are allied health in optometry. Formal or on-the-job training. Per CPS "paraoptometrics are allied health personnel who extend the optometrist’s capabilities by assuming routine and technical aspects of vision care services. They may be optometric assistants, technicians, opticians, office managers, receptionists, or other staff in an optometrist’s office."

The certified paraoptometric examinations are administered by the American Optometric Association, Commission on Paraoptometric Certification and the Professional Testing Corporation.

Certified Paraoptometric - CPO
To sit for the CPO exam, the applicant must have six months of experience in the eye care field.

Certified Paraoptometric Assistant - CPOA
To sit for the CPOA exam, the applicant must have six months experience as a CPO, or be a graduate of a full time formal paraoptometric education program, or have five years of experience in the field.

Certified Paraoptometric Technician - CPOT
To sit for the CPOT exam, the applicant must have six months experience as a CPOA or be a graduate of an ACOE (Accreditation Council on Optometric Education) approved optometric technician program. The exam has written and practical parts.

ACOE
Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, the only accrediting body for professional optometric degree (O.D.) programs, optometric residency programs, and optometric technician programs in the United States and Canada

AOA
American Optometric Association has a Paraoptometric Section. They offer continuing education for allied health in optometry.

CPS
California Paraoptometric Section is an organization for paraoptometric personnel. It's membership includes optometric assistants, technicians, staff, and opticians. CPS is affiliated with the California Optometric Association.

CPC
Commission on Paraoptometric Certification, formerly known as the National Council on Paraoptometric Certification, was established in 2000 by the American Optometric Association. They offer paraoptometric certification in three levels: CPO, CPOA, and CPOT.

	The Ophthalmic Assistant: A Text for Allied and Associated Ophthalmic Personnel by Harold A. Stein and Raymond M. Stein Mosby, 8th edition, 2006 a very popular textbook for ophthalmic and optometric medical assistants used in optometric technician programs
	System for Ophthalmic Dispensing by Clifford W. Brooks, Irvin Borish Butterworth-Heinemann, 3rd edition, October 2006 step-by-step system for properly fitting and adjusting eyewear, covers every aspect of dispensing, perfect for students who are just learning about dispensing used in optometric technician programs
	Clinical Anatomy of the Visual System by Lee Ann Remington Butterworth-Heinemann, 2nd edition, 2004 clinical anatomy of the eye and adnexa, visual pathways, diseases and disorders, illustrated used in optometric technician programs
	Self Study Course for Optometric Assisting by Mary Jameson AOA, 1997 includes practice management, eye A&P, refractive status, prescriptions, lenses, neutralization, dispensing, pretesting, specialty testing, visual fields, contacts, low vision, binocular vision, sports, emergencies, meds, infection control
	Self-Study Course for Paraoptometric Certification by Mary Jameson AOA, 2nd edition, 2000 formerly published as Self-Study Course for Optometric Assisting (above) training manual for optometric or ophthalmic assistants preparing for the AOA certification examinations basic information on situations commonly encountered in daily practice with over 300 photographs and illustrations a new edition will be available soon