Well-trained technicians, assistants and nurses are vital to the ophthalmic patient care team. Academy resources provide practice staff with a solid foundation of clinical knowledge and the references they need to stay up to date.
Essential Training for Ophthalmic Technicians
The cornerstone of Academy training for technicians is Ophthalmic Medical Assisting: An Independent Study Course, now in its seventh edition. This textbook explains ophthalmic science, practice techniques, and office interactions, with step-by-step guidance on 45 common procedures and access to 12 interactive activities and 26 instructional videos. The accompanying online exam contains multiple-choice questions aligned with the content of the textbook.
Successful completion of the course and online exam serves as a prerequisite for the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) exam administered by the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO).
Additional Clinical Education / Training Resources
Getting Started
Introducing Ophthalmology: A Primer for Office Staff, Third Edition – Free 56-page PDF file is ideal for front office staff and new assistants. It provides information on basic ophthalmic concepts and office etiquette.
Building Clinical Skills
Dictionary of Eye Terminology, 7th edition – Make ophthalmic terms accessible to everyone in your practice with plain-language definitions and full-color anatomical illustrations. This new edition from the Academy covers current ophthalmic conditions, tests, procedures, and pharmacology and is designed for quick navigation.
Ophthalmic Procedures in the Office and Clinic – Print book covering procedures performed by a technician or nurse in an ophthalmic office or clinic setting. Each topic includes step-by-step instructions and a list of required equipment. Published by the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN).
Ophthalmic Procedures in the Operating Room and Ambulatory Surgery Center – This essential manual is helpful for ophthalmic staff when providing patient care for major ophthalmic surgical procedures performed in operating rooms or ambulatory surgery centers. Published by ASORN.
Care and Handling of Ophthalmic Microsurgical Instruments – Proper instrument care and handling is the ophthalmic nurse's and technician's fundamental responsibility. This guide outlines the correct methods for sterilizing, storing and maintaining instruments used daily in ophthalmic practice. Published by ASORN.
Advancing Knowledge
Essentials of Ophthalmic Nursing – A series of print books that cover all aspects of ophthalmic nursing. Published by ASORN.
Basic Ophthalmology – Print or digital book with practical information on the diagnosis, management and referral of common ocular disorders, and important ophthalmic concepts and techniques.
Practical Ophthalmology: A Manual for Beginning Residents – Print book with concise explanations and instructions for 50 testing and examination techniques.
Diving Deeper
Preferred Practice Pattern® Guidelines – Free collection of downloadable PDF files that identify the characteristics of quality eye care and form a core of guidance for the overall clinical practice.
EyeWiki – Free online ophthalmic encyclopedia that covers the vast spectrum of eye disease, diagnosis and treatment. Includes hundreds of articles written by ophthalmologists.
Patient Education
Academy print brochures, print-on-demand handouts, and video collections are convenient and cost-effective resources to build your patients’ understanding of their surgery, treatment, or eye condition.
Public Education
EyeSmart – Free, comprehensive website for accurate, timely, and relevant eye health information, provided as a public service by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Practice Management and Coding Resources
The American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives® (AAOE®) has the valuable information, programs, coding references and services you need to manage a successful modern practice.
Ultimate Documentation Compliance Training for Scribes and Technicians is the comprehensive online training course that will level up your team’s ability to document patient encounters, ensure payer requirements are satisfied, and make each claim secure.
Career Opportunities
Ophthalmology Job Center – With hundreds of listings and targeted search features, the #1 job site for ophthalmology makes it easy for hiring practices and qualified candidates to connect. Save thousands in recruiter fees and find the right fit fast.
Other Professional Associations