Clinical Skills Courses
Clinical Skills Courses are designed to refresh and improve the clinical skills of ophthalmic assistants, technicians, and technologists. Courses take 1 to 2.5 hours to complete and include a post-test that results in a course certificate if passed. These courses do not have CE credits.
Course fees range from $7 to $10 and include 2 months of access. Each course can be purchased from the course description page (links below), or more than one course can be purchased at the same time from the course catalog. On the catalog page, use the filter to show only Clinical Skills courses.
Clinical Skills Courses
Clinical Skills Courses are designed to refresh and improve the clinical skills of ophthalmic assistants, technicians, and technologists. Courses take 1 to 2.5 hours to complete and include a post-test that results in a course certificate if passed. These courses do not have CE credits.
Course fees range from $7 to $10 and include 2 months of access. Each course can be purchased from the course description page (links below), or more than one course can be purchased at the same time from the course catalog. On the catalog page, use the filter to show only Clinical Skills courses.
Clinical Skills Certficate Course: Anterior and Posterior Segment Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye
This course on Anterior and Posterior Segment Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) of the eye includes discussions of the tear film, cornea, anterior chamber, aqueous humor, iris, pupil, ciliary body, lens, vitreous, retina, optic nerve, choroid, and sclera. Structure, function, examination, instrumentation, diseases, and treatments are covered.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: A-scan Ultasonography of the Eye (Biometry)
This course on A-scan ultrasonography of the eye (Biometry) includes discussion of basic concepts, scanning procedures, instrumentation, pseudophakic A-scan instruction, immersion A-scan instruction, intraocular lens power calculations, and A-scan biometry vs. optical biometry.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: B-scan Ultrasonography and Ultrasound Biomicroscopy of the Eye
This course on ocular B-scan Ultrasonography and Ultrasound Biomicroscopy of the eye includes discussion of ophthalmic ultrasound principles, instrumentation, orientation, and visualization. Examination techniques are covered. Evaluation criteria of vitreo-retinal diseases are discussed including vitreous hemorrhage, vitreous detachment, retinal detachment, choroidal detachment, optic nerve head drusen, choroidal nevus, and choroidal malignant melanoma. Ultrasound Biomicroscopy instrumentation and examination techniques are discussed with examples.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Basics of Photography
This course on the basics of photography includes discussion of film, digital sensors, ISO, resolution, grain, pixels, contrast, formats, shutter speed, f-number, exposure, flash, focal lengths, depth-of-field, and other factors.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Clinical Optics of the Eye
This course on clinical optics of the eye discusses physical, geometric, and physiologic optics. Included are discussions of lens aberrations, base curve, optical center, lens design, slab-off, optical measurements, calculations, adjustments, and formulae.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Contact Lenses
This course on soft and hard (RGP) contact lens fitting includes discussion of indications for wear, history taking, contact lens parameters and verification, wear and replacement schedules, anterior segment examination, fitting variables and techniques, fit evaluation, insertion and removal, lens care, fitting astigmatism, and fitting the presbyope.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: External Eye, EOM, and Orbital Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye
This course on external eye, extraocular muscle, and orbital anatomy and physiology of the eye includes discussion of eyelids and eyelashes, conjunctiva, episclera, sclera, rectus and oblique orbital muscles, orbital regions, and sinuses. Evaluation of systems, diseases, treatments, imaging, examination, and history taking are included.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Extraocular Muscle Skills for Examination of the Eye
This course on extraocular muscle clinical skills for examination of the eye includes discussion of binocular vision, cover tests, the Worth 4-dot test, the red lens test, Hirshberg/Krimsky measurements, the Bagolini lens test, exophthalmometry, the Maddox Rod test and the Von Graefe technique, fusional vergence measurements, and measuring prism in glasses.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Fundus Photography and Fluorescein Angiography
The course on fundus photography includes discussion of instrumentation, procedures, troubleshooting, and image defects and artifacts. The course on fluorescein angiography includes discussion of preparation, the injection, the angiogram, descriptive terminology, common abnormalities, and other considerations. Next generation retinal camera features are covered. Fundus autofluorescence, RGB channel separation, and iris angiography are also discussed.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Glaucoma
This course on glaucoma discusses the anterior chamber and the aqueous humor, intra-ocular pressure (IOP), optic nerve head cupping, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, visual field loss. Also discussed are the types of glaucoma including, open angle glaucoma, primary angle-closure glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, and secondary angle-closure glaucoma. medical and surgical treatments of glaucoma are covered.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: History Taking and General Medical Knowledge
The course section on history taking includes discussion of chief complaint, history of present illness, review of systems, past medical history, medications, allergies, family history, social history, pertinent questions, triage, confidentiality, SOAP, and OPQRSTA. The course section on general medical knowledge includes discussion of the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine systems. Anatomy, physiology, diseases and treatments are covered in overview.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Intraocular Lens (IOL) Calculations
This course on Intraocular Lens (IOL) Calculations discusses types of IOLs. measurements needed, insuring accuracy of measurements, calculation formulas, modifications to formulas, toric calculations, using a topographer, special situations, and evaluating a post-op surprise.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Ophthalmic Pharmacology
This course on ophthalmic pharmacology discusses drug components and characteristics, drug delivery methods, abbreviations, pharmacological agents used to treat ophthalmic conditions and diseases, drug actions, interactions, and allergic responses.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Optical Coherence Tomography
This course on optical coherence tomography discusses the technology, instrumentation, scanning techniques, qualitative and quantitative analysis, scan errors and scan optimization, scans of the macula and optic nerve head, and OCT angiography (OCT-A). The evolution of OCT technology is also discussed, including the move from time domain to spectal domain technology.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Refractometry (Refraction)
This course refractometry (refraction) discusses basic refraction techniques, binocular balancing, high power refractometry, cylinder power optimization, controlling accommodation, near add determination, intermediate vision lenses, characteristics of astigmatism, unusual add powers, using keratometry, the astigmatic dial, and the red-green test. A discussion of how to handle glasses complaints is included.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Retinoscopy
This course on retinoscopy discusses equipment and techniques for performing retinoscopy in plus cylinder and in minus cylinder form. Streak reflexes, axis identification, and neutralization are demonstrated with illustrations and animations.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy, Slit Lamp Photography, and Applanation Tonometry
The course section on slit lamp biomicroscopy and slit lamp photography includes discussion of instrumentation, viewing and illumination techniques, photo techniques, and making do without a photo slit lamp. The course section on applanation tonometry includes discussion of instrumentation, procedure, and calibration.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course: Visual Field Testing
This course on visual field testing discusses the visual pathways, visual field defects, basic concepts of visual field testing, visual field testing methods including automated perimetry, monitoring automated visual field testing for reliability, and advanced concepts in visual field testing.
Clinical Skills Certificate Course:
A-scan Ultrasonography (Biometry)
Course level:
This course is intended for ophthalmic assistants, technicians and technologists.
Course structure (no CE credit):
This course consists of short, illustrated reading segments. There is a quiz at the end of the course. Upon passing the quiz, the user will receive a certificate of completion.
Estimated time to complete:
One hour.
Short Course Description:
This course on A-scan ultrasonography (Biometry) includes discussion of basic concepts, scanning procedures, instrumentation, pseudophakic A-scan instruction, immersion A-scan instruction, intraocular lens power calculations, and A-scan biometry vs. optical biometry.
For the Detailed Course Description, see below
The course can be purchased via Paypal (you don't need a Paypal account) by using the button below ($7 for 2 months access). More than one course can be purchased at the same time by going to the course catalog. Courses can also be purchased via Authorize.net from the course catalog.
After purchase, the course can be accessed immediately by using the "courses" tab on the top menu bar to link to your "my courses" page.
Detailed Course Description
Basic concepts of A-scan biometry, including:
Reflectivity
Perpendicularity
Gain level
Optical axis
Spike height
Corneal compression
Velocity of sound
A-scan Scanning procedures, including:
Preparation
Hand-held method
Tonometer mount method
Immersion method
Probe positioning
Scan evaluation
Aphakic scan
Measuring gates
Extra lens spikes
Corneal compression
Reproducibility
A-scan Instrumentation, including:
Gate Protocol
Automatic acquisition
Display
Gain control
Audible signal
Corneal compression recognition
Averaging
Foot switch operation
Probe tip
Menu operation
Adjustable settings
Printer
IOL formulas
Pseudophakic A-scan instruction, including:
Factors to consider
IOL Material
Measuring Protocol
PMMA
Silicon
Acrylic
Evaluating the scan
Immersion A-scan instruction, including:
The problem
The solution
Questions
Equipment needed
Hansen shells
The Prager shell
The procedure
Potential problems
Resources
Intraocular Lens Power (IOL) Calculations:
Types of formulas
Regression
Theoretical, including: Holladay, Hoffer Q, Haigis
SRK/T
Regression formula calculations
Regression formula compensation
Regression formula table
Emmetropia and ammetropia
Post refractive surgery IOL power calculations, including the History method, and the Contact lens method
A-scan Biometry versus Optical Biometry
Includes discussion of the IOLMaster 500, Haag Streit Lenstar LS900, and IOLMaster 700
Clinical Skills Certificate Course:
B-scan Ultrasonography and Ultrasound Biomicroscopy
Course level:
This course is intended for ophthalmic assistants, technicians and technologists.
Course structure (no CE credit):
This course consists of short, illustrated reading segments. There is a quiz at the end of the course. Upon passing the quiz, the user will receive a certificate of completion.
Estimated time to complete:
Two hours.
Short Course Description:
This course on ocular B-scan Ultrasonography and Ultrasound Biomicroscopy includes discussion of ophthalmic ultrasound principles, instrumentation, orientation, and visualization. Examination techniques are covered. Evaluation criteria of vitreo-retinal diseases are discussed including vitreous hemorrhage, vitreous detachment, retinal detachment, choroidal detachment, optic nerve head drusen, choroidal nevus, and choroidal malignant melanoma. Ultrasound Biomicroscopy instrumentation and examination techniques are discussed with examples.
For the Detailed Course Description, see below
The course can be purchased via Paypal (you don't need a Paypal account) by using the button below, $10 for 2 months access. More than one course can be purchased at the same time by going to the course catalog. Courses can also be purchased via Authorize.net from the course catalog.
After purchase, the course can be accessed immediately by using the "courses" tab on the top menu bar to link to your "my courses" page.
Detailed Course Description
B-scan Basics
The Basic Principle
A-scan vs B-scan
B-scan vs. OCT
Ultrasound Physics
B-scan Principles
Instrumentation
Orientation and Visualization
Examination Techniques
B-scan Examination, Part 1
Information needed
Communicating with the patient
Exam prep
The screening exam
Evaluation criteria for vitreo-retinal diseases
Posterior vitreous detachment
Localized retinal detachment
Total retinal detachment
B-scan Examination, Part 2
Review of B-scan evaluation criteria for vitreo-retinal diseases
Vitreous hemorrhage
Vitreous membranes
Traction retinal detachment
Choroidal detachment
Image quality
Scleral buckle
Optic nerve head drusen
Choroidal nevus and malignant melanoma
Choroidal nevus vs. small melanoma
Evaluation and measurement of a medium to large melanoma
Ultrasound Biomicroscopy
Description
Instrumentation and equipment
Examination techniques
Examination examples
Clinical Skills Certificate Course:
Anterior and Posterior Segment Ocular Anatomy and Physiology (A&P)
Course level:
This course is intended for ophthalmic assistants, technicians and technologists.
Course structure (no CE credit):
This course consists of short, illustrated reading segments. There is a quiz at the end of the course. Upon passing the quiz, the user will receive a certificate of completion.
Estimated time to complete:
Two hours.
Short Course Description:
This course on Anterior and Posterior Segment Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) includes discussions of the tear film, cornea, anterior chamber, aqueous humor, iris, pupil, ciliary body, lens, vitreous, retina, optic nerve, choroid, and sclera. Structure, function, examination, instrumentation, diseases, and treatments are covered.
For the Detailed Course Description, see below
The course can be purchased via Paypal (you don't need a Paypal account) by using the button below, $10 for 2 months access. More than one course can be purchased at the same time by going to the course catalog. Courses can also be purchased via Authorize.net from the course catalog.
After purchase, the course can be accessed immediately by using the "courses" tab on the top menu bar to link to your "my courses" page.
Detailed Course Description
The tear film and the cornea:
The Cornea
Corneal clarity
Five layers of the cornea
The Tear Film
Three layers of the tear film
Examination of the Cornea
Slit lamp biomicroscope
Sodium fluorescein dye
Rose bengal stain
Specular microscope
Keratometry
Corneal topography
Pachymetery
Corneal Disorders
Dystrophies (including keratoconus)
Infection and inflammation
Irregular astigmatism
Surgical Treatment of the Cornea
Keratoplasty
Phototherapeutic Keratectomy
Intacs
Corneal Cross-Linking
Dry Eye and Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS)
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Tear Break up time
Rose bengal staining
Schirmer tear testing
Tear Osmolarity
Blink Evaluation
Meibomian gland expression
Meibomian gland imaging
Lubrication and punctum plugs
The Anterior Chamber, the Aqueous Humor, the Iris, and the Pupil:
The Anterior Chamber and the Aqueous Humor
Examination of the aqueous
The Angle
Examination of the Angle
The Iris and the Pupil
Measurements of the pupil
Pupil shape
Pupil size
Pupillary symmetry
Pupillary light responses
The Ciliary Body and the Lens:
The Ciliary Body
The Lens
Layers of the lens
Examination of the lens
Cataracts
Classification
Vision evaluation
Surgery
Post-op care
Posterior lens capsule opacification
The Posterior Segment, Part 1:
The Vitreous
Anatomy and Physiology
Abnormalities of the Vitreous
Evaluating the Vitreous
The Retina
General Anatomy and Physiology
Cell Layers of the Retina
The photoreceptor cells
Color Vision Tests
Color plate tests
Hue Tests
Color plate testing procedure
The Retinal Neural Transmission Layer
The Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Retinal Blood Vessels
Retinal Evaluation
The Posterior Segment, Part 2:
Common Disorders of the Retina
Diabetic Retinopathy
Macular Degeneration
Macular Holes and Cysts
Retinal Detachment
Retinal Artery and Vein Occlusions
The Optic Nerve
General Anatomy and Phyiology
Glaucomatous Optic Nerve Appearance
Other Abnormalities of the Optic Nerve
The Choroid
General Anatomy and Physiology
Common Disorders of the Choroid
The Sclera
General Anatomy and Physiology
Common Disorders of the Sclera
Clinical Skills Certificate Course:
Basics of Photography
Course level:
This course is intended for ophthalmic assistants, technicians and technologists.
Course structure:
This course consists of short, illustrated reading segments. There is a quiz at the end of the course. Upon passing the quiz, the user will receive a certificate of completion.
Estimated time to complete:
One hour.
Short Course Description:
This course on the basics of photography includes discussion of film, digital sensors, ISO, resolution, grain, pixels, contrast, formats, shutter speed, f-number, exposure, flash, focal lengths, depth-of-field, and other factors.
For the Detailed Course Description, see below
The course can be purchased via Paypal (you don't need a Paypal account) by using the button below, $7 for 2 months access. More than one course can be purchased at the same time by going to the course catalog. Courses can also be purchased via Authorize.net from the course catalog.
After purchase, the course can be accessed immediately by using the "courses" tab on the top menu bar to link to your "my courses" page.
Detailed Course Description
Basics of Photography, Part 1
The Eye-Camera Analogy
Film and Digital Sensors
Exposure
Film Speed
Resolution, Grain, and Pixels
Film Speed vs. Resolution
Film vs. Digital
Black & White vs. Color
Negative, Slides, and Digital Images
Contrast
Panchromatic vs. Orthochromatic
35mm vs. Other Formats
White Balance
Basics of Photography, Part 2
Shutter Speed
The f-number
Depth-of-Field
The shutter speed, f-number relationship
The Exposure Meter
Flash photography
Flash power, coverag, and range
Flash Synchronization
Flash modes
Camera Lens Focal Lengths