Ophthalmic Assistants are ophthalmic allied health professionals who perform procedures under the supervision of an Ophthalmologist. An Ophthalmic Assistant may be responsible for taking patient histories, providing patient services, administering diagnostic tests and maintenance of ophthalmic equipment. The Ophthalmic Medical Assisting program combines academic instruction and clinical experience under professional supervision.

Financial Assistance funds cannot be applied towards this program.

Program contact: Learn more

This certificate will be automatically awarded when the certificate requirements are completed. If you do not want to receive the certificate, please notify the Office of the Registrar at RegistrarOffice@tri-c.edu.

Learn more about how certificate credits apply to the related degree.

Program Admission Requirements

Application may be submitted to the Health Careers Enrollment Center after meeting the following requirements:

  • High School Diploma/GED
  • ENG-0995 Applied College Literacies or appropriate score on English Placement Test.
  • MATH-0955 Beginning Algebra or MATH-0990 Math Literacy for College Students or qualified Math placement.
  • OPT 1100 Introduction to Optical Technology
  • GPA required: 2.00

Other Information

Program Learning Outcomes

This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

  1. Communicate verbally, non-verbally and in writing with members of health care team in an appropriate, culturally sensitive, effective and capable manner.
  2. Apply knowledge of office procedures within an Ophthalmic practice.
  3. Maintain accurate electronic patient records in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
  4. Conduct pre-assessment screenings and ocular preparations using appropriate equipment and tools.
  5. Work within safety standards that govern Ophthalmology.
  6. Conduct him/herself in a professional manner at all times.

Suggested Semester Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
BIO-1230 Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye 4
OPT-1400 Introduction to Fabrication Principles 1
OPT-1710 Introduction to Patient Care 3
 Credit Hours8
Second Semester
OPT-1721 Advanced Patient Care 2
OPT-1911 Ophthalmic Assisting Directed Practice 4
OPT-2702 Refractometry 2
 Credit Hours8
 Total Credit Hours16

MATH-1140, MATH-1141, MATH-1200, MATH-1270, and MATH-1280 can no longer count towards fulfilling the college-level mathematics requirement.  These courses were re-classified as developmental mathematics by the state of Ohio in 2016.  Tri-C established a 5-year transitioning window for students who had completed these courses prior to 2016 to apply them towards meeting graduation requirements, which expired in Summer 2021. It is highly recommended to see a counselor to determine the appropriate math required for your current major.