The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
legal and ethical considerations for dispensing optical advice to clients:
duty of care
informed consent
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
work health and safety
how to interpret and transpose an optical prescription
anatomy and physiology of the eyes, including:
common disorders of the eye
structure of the human eye and its physiological functioning
the procedures involved in cataract extraction with intra-ocular lenses, including multifocal and toric IOL and factors that may influence the dispensing process
implant and refractive surgery
basic theory of light, including:
basic calculation of angles of incidence, refraction, deviation and critical angles
how light is propagated and how commonly observed effects may occur
various light-induced phenomena
ophthalmic prism, including:
effects of ophthalmic prism upon the eyes, and the need for ophthalmic prism in prescriptions
solving by both calculation and graphical methods, a variety of prism problems
the relationship between lens power, decentration and prism
the use of a tangent scale to measure ophthalmic prism
effect produced by varying the index, diameter, prismatic specifications, or form of a lens
the processes and assessment of vision, colour vision and perception
optical calculations and measurements, including measurements to determine the inter-pupillary distance and fitting heights for all lenses
effects produced by varying the index, diameter, prismatic specifications and form of a lens
features of spherical lenses and their suitability for different customers, including:
concepts of vergence and their use in optical calculations
how to construct diagrams to illustrate image formation using simple ray-tracing techniques
refractive effects of a lens as the sum of its 2 surface powers
refractive properties of spherical lens surfaces
features of astigmatic lenses and their suitability for different customers, including:
how to perform calculations related to the application of astigmatic lenses in optical prescriptions
formulae required to calculate the centre and edge thickness of spherical and astigmatic lenses
nature of astigmatism
the difference between cylindrical and sphero-cylindrical for astigmatic conditions
various forms of astigmatic lenses
features of contact lenses and their suitability for different customers, including:
acceptable hygiene standards
examples of causes of wearing problems and lens hygiene and the correct procedures for lens maintenance
relevant Quality Assurance Standards
the correct methods of contact lens handling, insertion and removal
the parameters of contact lenses from prescription data supplied
how lenses are manufactured
features and options for multifocal and progressive lenses
commonly occurring problems and potential solutions in a dispensing situation
requirements of dispensing spectacles to clients with special or complex needs, including:
commonly occurring problems in a dispensing situation and possible solutions
the appropriate action to be taken according to prescription requirements and the special needs of the client
visual screening
how to determine criteria influencing dispensing procedures necessary for aspheric lenses
referral protocol and procedures
health fund and rebate requirements