Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Eye Technician, 1 year certificate

Why choose the Eye Technician program at PCC?

The Eye Technician (formerly known as Ophthalmic Medical Technology) program is the only technician-level training program in the Pacific Northwest! The program is designed for individuals passionate about making a difference in patients’ lives while working alongside ophthalmologists (medical eye doctors and surgeons) and other eye care professionals. This career is in high demand with many employment opportunities. The Oregon Employment Department forecasts that Portland area job openings for ophthalmic medical technicians will grow 20% through 2027.

Our program provides:

• Classes that combine online lectures and in-person labs for hands-on learning of clinical skills.
• Hands-on clinical practice in local area hospitals and ophthalmology offices such as OHSU – Casey Eye Institute, Portland Veterans’ Affairs, Legacy Devers Eye Institute, Kaiser Permanente, EyeHealth Northwest, Retina Northwest, The Portland Clinic, The Eye Group Associates, Vancouver Eye Care, Vancouver Clinic, and PeaceHealth Medical Eye Group.
• Small cohort sizes of 20–24 students for a student-focused learning environment.
• Preparation for the internationally recognized Certified Ophthalmic Technician examination.

The program teaches students to safely and accurately perform ophthalmic tests while working in a team environment. Graduates from the program can explore various career paths in hospitals, private clinics and research institutes, working in general ophthalmology or in specialties such as pediatrics, LASIK, cornea, retina, glaucoma, and oculoplastics.

Accreditation

The Eye Technician program is the only program of its kind on the West Coast at the intermediate training certified ophthalmic technician level. We are accredited by the International Council of Accreditation (ICA), 2025 Woodland Dr. St. Paul, MN 55125, United States of America; Phone: 651-731-7242.

Award information

Learn more about Eye Technician and all 2 awards available »

What will you learn?

We help you develop skills and knowledge in a wide variety of ophthalmology areas:

• Optics
• Ocular pharmacology
• Ocular anatomy
• Contact lens fitting
• Surgical assisting
• Instrument maintenance and care
• Refractometry
• Ocular pathology
• Eye examination skills

Courses

Course listing for the 2025-2026 catalog year.

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Course cannot be substituted for another course.

What will you do?

Eye technicians play a crucial role in supporting ophthalmologists in delivering quality eye care services. Their primary responsibilities involve assisting with eye-related diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Here are some key duties and tasks commonly associated with this role:

• Obtaining patient history and preliminary examinations.
• Conducting diagnostic testing such as visual field testing, tonometry, and more.
• Capturing ophthalmic photography for medical records and diagnostics.
• Assisting with contact lens fitting and instructions.
• Educating patients about treatment options, eye conditions, and proper care.
• Preparing patients for surgery.
• Assisting the ophthalmologist with documentation during exams.
• Ensuring that ophthalmic instruments are properly maintained and sterilized.
• Handling administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and coordinating care.
• Addressing patient concerns, providing comfort during examinations, and assisting with any mobility issues.