CoreEyeglassesContact LensesLow Vision
1. Adhere to privacy and confidentiality legislation, regulatory requirements, and employer policies.?
- Respects patient privacy when communicating personal health information.
- Maintains confidentiality, privacy, and security when sharing, transmitting, storing, and disclosing information (e.g., applying password protection on computer systems, obtaining consent to share and disclose information).
2. Recognize and manage professional boundaries.?
- Adheres to provincial regulations, standards of practice, guidelines, and Code of Ethics related to maintaining professional boundaries.
- Seeks guidance in managing professional boundaries.
3. Recognize and manage ethically challenging situations.?
- Demonstrates integrity, accountability, respect, and sound ethics.
- Applies critical thinking skills to manage ethically challenging situations.
- Seeks guidance in identifying and managing ethically challenging situations.
- Recognizes and manages potential, perceived, or actual conflicts of interest.
4. Work within personal and professional limits and seek assistance when required.?
- Assesses quality of services provided and identifies opportunities for improvement.
- Demonstrates knowledge of professional scope of practice and professional responsibility as defined by legislation and jurisdiction.
- Ensures the appropriate knowledge, skill, and judgement before performing activities or procedures.
- Refers patients for consultation when conditions or concerns are beyond knowledge, skill, and/or judgement.
- Seeks assistance to clarify professional scope of practice when necessary.
- Obtains external feedback to support self-reflection.
5. Document patient care in either French or English.?
- Maintains records in accordance with professional standards of practice.
- Retains records for the period of time required by the jurisdiction.
- Facilitates timely access to and transfer of records and prescriptions to others according to legislation, regulations, and standards of practice.
6. Communicate appropriately, clearly, and effectively with patients, their family members or supporters, and healthcare providers.?
- Uses empathy and active listening skills.
- Itemizes and rephrases choices to clarify needs.
- Uses appropriate terminology when speaking with professionals.
- Uses clear, patient-centred language when speaking with patients.
- Considers patient's age, culture, and capacity when communicating.
- Provides information and instructions that are appropriate to the audience (e.g., the correct format, literacy level, and readability).
7. Use effective interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts and complaints.?
- Uses appropriate communication skills to resolve conflicts, such as active listening and reflection.
- Demonstrates sensitivity to different opinions.
- Develops viable options to resolve conflicts and complaints.
- Seeks guidance when needed.
8. Engage with other members of the eye care team to best meet the patient's needs.?
- Consults and seeks recommendations from different members of the team.
- Takes into consideration and respects the opinions of others.
9. Understand patient expectations and aspirations and manage situations in which these cannot be met.?
- Conducts an assessment to determine the patient's wants, needs, and knowledge.
- Educates the patient based on the patient's wants and the product's limitations.
- Identifies and manages escalating emotions.
10. Communicate the advantages and limitations of products to patients in a meaningful and clear manner.?
- Explains the limitations of eyeglass and contact lens designs to maximize patient success.
- Explains the adjustment process for specific corrective lenses (e.g., progressive addition lenses) to promote successful adaptation.
11. Discuss with the patient systemic disease and its effect on the eyes.?
- Provides an explanation of the ocular impact of a particular disease, condition, drug, or treatment.
12. Demonstrate sound knowledge of current and emerging technologies used in practice.?
- Investigates and engages in regular training related to new products and technologies (e.g., software updates, new equipment and tools).
- Advocates for resources that support advancement in technology.
- Demonstrates knowledge of the retail optical business environment.
13. Prioritize duties when faced with a number of patients and competing demands.?
- Assesses patient needs and itemizes competing demands to prioritize them.
- Considers all available options to manage the situation.
- Ensures patient safety and strives to provide efficient service.
- Communicates openly with patients and others involved.
- Seeks guidance and assistance as required.
14. Recognize and implement infection control and prevention measures.?
- Ensures appropriate infection control signage is visible.
- Enforces hand-washing by staff.
- Disinfects lenses, tools, and instruments.
- Demonstrates proper hygiene when serving patients.
- Adheres to infection prevention and control measures established by jurisdiction and national regulatory bodies (Optical Laboratories Association, Health Protection Branch of Health Canada, and Canadian Safety Association).
- Monitors changes in regulations and standards.
- Implements procedures to react to an acute infectious disease outbreak.
15. Demonstrate a commitment to patient and workplace safety.?
- Engages in work safety training (e.g., WHMIS, fire drills).
- Demonstrates knowledge of safety and material handling legislation.
- Integrates safety practices into daily activities.
- Advocates for changes when risks are identified by recommending interventions.
- Monitors and responds to all vendor recalls and Health Canada alerts.
16. Understand the function of the instruments used for dispensing.?
- Demonstrates knowledge of operating equipment appropriate to practice (eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refracting).
- Interprets instrument readings and applies knowledge to make decisions.
17. Demonstrate the appropriate depth and breadth of knowledge of anatomy and physiology.?
- Understands the visual pathway and anatomy of the eye.
- Understands visual fields and the photochemistry of vision.
- Understands pathology of the ocular system.
- Understands the relevance of systemic diseases to eye health.
18. Apply current relevant ophthalmic theories using mathematical calculations to select appropriate eyewear.?
- Understands concave lenses, convex lenses, and prism.
19. Demonstrate problem-solving skills to correct any deficiencies related to the corrective lenses.?
- Examines corrective lenses and notes adjustments or repairs required.
- Applies knowledge of various frame materials and their impact on the adjustment or repair.
- Collects information from the patient to help determine root cause of problems.
- Consults with other professionals when needed.
- Teaches the patient proper care and maintenance of the corrective lenses to prevent future problems.
- Explains to the patient normal adaptation to corrective lenses.
20. Evaluate resolutions to problems and integrate findings into practice.?
- Determines if a patient's visual needs (work and leisure) are being met.
- Considers feedback from others, through consultation.
- Reflects on outcome and options considered.
- Integrates new knowledge, skills, and attitudes into practice.
21. Engage in continuous learning.?
- Identifies resources and methods for keeping up to date on professional responsibilities (e.g., regulatory and association websites, journals, conferences).
- Engages in continuing professional development.
- Reflects on learning and how the new knowledge will influence practice.
- Complies with provincial requirements to demonstrate ongoing competence.
22. Obtain relevant optical and health history.?
- Asks questions specific to lifestyle, including work and leisure needs.
- Obtains previous prescription and optical history.
- Obtains information about current medication use, health history, and family history.
- Collects both objective and subjective information from the patient.
23. Determine environmental influences on vision, including lighting and setup of workstation.?
- Identifies ergonomics factors relevant to vision (e.g., computer distance and position, lighting, telephone/headset).
24. Apply knowledge of binocular vision to the dispensing of appropriate corrective lenses.?
- Demonstrates knowledge of eye anomalies and conditions requiring the use of contact lenses to maximize binocular vision.
- Determines the presence of anisometropia or antimetropia resulting in aniseikonia.
- Demonstrates knowledge of producing aniseikonic eyeglasses to balance retinal image sizes to maximize binocular vision.
25. Ensure measurements are taken accurately using approved devices and tools. ?
- Calibrates equipment to ensure accuracy.
- Ensures equipment is in good working order.
- Ensures appropriate measurement techniques are followed.
26. Ensure all corrective lenses meet minimum recommended tolerances.?
- Applies standard tolerance chart.
27. Ensure manufacturers' recommendations are followed as appropriate.?
- Considers wearing schedule limitations before dispensing.
- Considers the power limitations of specific brands.
28. Understand the relationship between prescription requirements and lens characteristics.?
- Identifies limiting factors of the prescription and patient physiology.
- Considers appropriate lens types.
- Selects appropriate lens material for the prescription.
29. Understand the relationship between prescription requirements and frame characteristics.?
- Selects appropriate frames for the prescription.
- Understands limitation of lens design.
30. Identify anomalies in a prescription.?
- Understands anomalies of the eye that require corrective lenses.
- Evaluates the values in the optical prescription (i.e., sphere, cylinder, axis, prism, add power).
- Applies knowledge of dominant and non-dominant eye and their role in obtaining binocular vision.
31. Recommend appropriate corrective lenses, taking into consideration work and leisure needs.?
- Considers environmental factors that influence work needs (e.g., computer distance, lighting, working outdoors).
- Considers leisure needs.
- Considers the need for safety products (e.g., electricians need non-conductive frames).
- Applies Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.
32. Advise patients on any limitations of the lens and frame combination they have chosen.?
- Recommends alternative approaches where required (e.g., low vision, contact lenses).
- Determines suitability of four-point rimless frames and suitability of high-index lenses.
- Informs patients about the benefits and disadvantages of each lens type.
33. Apply knowledge of manufacturing specifications.?
- Reviews with the patient the benefits and limitations of lens materials, coatings, and frame designs to support patient decision-making (e.g., high-index, polycarbonate, Trivex, and CR-39 lenses).
34. Identify frame materials and their properties.?
- Understands the benefits and limitations of various frame materials.
- Applies professional judgement to determine whether frames can be repaired.
- Selects the appropriate repair method.
35. Take accurate measurements with the appropriate tools.?
- Accurately performs optical and frame measurements (e.g., segment height for all types of multifocal lenses, optical centre height, pantoscopic tilt, vertex distance, monocular pupillary distance – both distance and near, and frame wrap).
- Determines the working focal length and measures accordingly.
36. Understand the lens manufacturing process.?
- Knows whether the lenses are surfaced or stock and the effect this will have on the final product.
- Understands the effect of altering the base curve of the lens.
37. Provide required information to appropriate suppliers to complete the eyeglasses.?
- Conveys information accurately to the manufacturer or laboratory.
- Specifies the optical measurements to ensure maximum visual acuity (e.g., pupillary distance, segment height, optical centre height, base curve, vertex distance, pantoscopic tilt, frame wrap, frame dimensions, and centre thickness).
- Specifies lens type, materials, coatings, and finishing.
- Provides frame specification (e.g., model number, size, and colour).
38. Perform final inspection of eyeglasses before dispensing.?
- Verifies the frame order (e.g., size, colour, model).
- Inspects for damage and proper lens installation.
- Adjusts frame into standard alignment.
39. Verify that lenses match the prescription and confirm lenses are within industry standards.?
- Verifies the accuracy of the corrective lenses (e.g., power, measurements).
- Measures and verifies that the lenses are correctly positioned in the eyeglass frame within regulatory standards.
40. Perform appropriate adjustments to ensure a correct fit.?
- Confirms the fit and effectiveness of the eyeglasses on the patient.
- Selects the appropriate instruments and tools to adjust the eyeglasses to maximize their effectiveness for the patient.
- Adjusts temple bend, nosepads, pantoscopic tilt, and frame wrap to fit the eyeglasses to the patient to maximize effectiveness.
- Matches the form, type, and positioning of lenses to meet the patient's needs.
41. Be able to appropriately use the tools necessary to duplicate eyeglasses.?
- Demonstrates proper and accurate use of a lensometer to neutralize a lens and interpret the findings.
- Demonstrates proper and accurate use of appropriate tools (e.g., pupilometer, lens clock, thickness calipers) and interprets the findings accurately.
42. Conduct a medical and optical health history assessment specific to fitting and dispensing contact lenses.?
- Determines the patient's previous contact lens and solutions use, including history of allergic reactions, sensitivities, or problems with lenses or solutions.
- Determines current medication use.
- Obtains a medical history, including systemic diseases and any problems with dry eyes.
- Confirms with the patient the date of their last refraction.
43. Identify anomalies in a prescription.?
- Understands anomalies of the eye that require corrective lenses.
- Evaluates the values in the optical prescription (i.e., sphere, cylinder, axis, prism, add power).
- Applies knowledge of dominant and non-dominant eye and their role in obtaining binocular vision.
44. Conduct an assessment to obtain corneal readings.?
- Conducts an assessment using the appropriate tools (e.g., keratometer, slit-lamp/biomicroscope) and all forms of illumination.
- Performs appropriate evaluations (e.g., tarsal plate and tear film evaluation).
- Knows when not to proceed with a contact lens fitting.
45. Conduct an assessment to obtain visual acuity readings.?
- Performs a visual acuity assessment, distance and near, using an appropriate chart (e.g., Snellen Chart).
46. Assess ocular health.?
- Conducts an assessment using the appropriate tools (e.g., keratometer, slit-lamp/biomicroscope) and all forms of illumination.
- Performs appropriate evaluations (e.g., tarsal plate and tear film evaluation).
- Knows when not to proceed with a contact lens fitting.
47. Use ophthalmic instruments and devices to take ocular measurements for contact lens fitting.?
- Evaluates the tear film for quality and quantity (e.g., tear breakup time and Schirmer's test).
- Performs keratometry, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and other adnexa measurements.
- Measures patient's visual acuity (distance and near).
- Records and analyzes data to determine best lens selection.
48. Select the appropriate contact lens, considering patient requirements. ?
- Considers lens material selection (e.g., rigid or soft lens).
- Determines the patient's wants and needs.
- Considers the age and maturity of the patient.
- Considers environmental factors that influence work and leisure needs (e.g., computer distance, lighting, working outdoors).
49. Select the appropriate contact lens solution, considering patient requirements.?
- Applies understanding of sensitivities to lens materials and solutions.
- Demonstrates knowledge of solution compatibility with lens materials.
50. Assess patient visual acuity with the lens on the eye.?
- Evaluates visual acuity while lens is in place.
- Performs a manifest over-refraction if necessary.
51. Verify lens fitting objectively.?
- Determines good centration, movement, visual acuity, and corneal integrity for soft lenses.
- Determines fluorescein pattern, movement, centration around the visual axis, and visual acuity for rigid lenses.
- Ensures appropriate fit.
52. Verify lens fitting subjectively.?
- Verify comfort and visual acuity with patient.
- Verify consistency of vision with patient.
53. Adjust the fitting of the lens as deemed appropriate.?
- Adjusts base curve and/or diameter.
- Adjusts lens power to achieve best vision.
54. Train patients in the insertion and removal of contact lenses.?
- Engages the patient in a repeat demonstration.
- Demonstrates proper hygiene (e.g., hand-washing technique).
- Uses appropriate education materials (e.g., video, handouts, and verbal instruction), considering the age and any limitations of the patient.
55. Train patients on contact lens hygiene, solution, and storage.?
- Demonstrates proper techniques for disinfection, cleaning, rinsing, and storing contact lenses, including replacement and cleaning of the case.
- Demonstrates proper hygiene (e.g., hand-washing technique).
- Describes signs of solution sensitivity.
56. Train patients on contact lens wear schedules.?
- Explains the importance of following the recommended wearing schedule.
57. Schedule follow-up care.?
- Confirms and documents follow-up appointments with the patient.
- Tests visual acuity using appropriate tools (e.g., slit-lamp biomicroscopy, overkeratometry).
- Measures the corneal surface with the keratometer to determine degree of change.
- Clarifies patient's understanding of ongoing care and further educates patient if needed.
58. Understand the implications of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs and other substances on the contact lens or on contact lens wear.?
- Applies pharmacology knowledge when conducting an assessment.
- Considers adverse effects of medication when selecting lens type and educating patient about wearing schedule.
59. Recognize symptoms specific to low-vision patients.?
- Collects relevant health information.
- Identifies primary hereditary eye diseases (e.g., macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa).
- Demonstrates knowledge of the progress and prognoses of common eye diseases.
- Understands the classification of legal blindness.
60. Conduct an assessment to determine emotional and physical needs of the patient, within the professional scope of practice.?
- Evaluates the patient's needs with respect to lifestyle.
- Assesses the patient's physical dexterity in using the corrective devices independently.
- Assesses the patient's preparedness to accept a low-vision device.
- Determines the support services available to the patient.
- Refers to an appropriate care provider when emotional and social needs of the patient are outside the scope of practice.
61. Recommend appropriate low-vision device(s).?
- Understands uses of low-vision aides.
- Predicts optimal magnification power by establishing required working distances based on work and leisure needs.
- Converts calculation from dioptric values to magnification power.
62. Implement a continuing care plan.?
- Collaborates with the patient and other caregivers to establish a continuing care plan.
- Establishes realistic goals and sets appropriate timeframe for follow-up appointments.
