College of Opticians of British Columbia BC

COBC Board Meeting - January 29, 2012 View Full Story Minimize

January 24, 2012 |
The first COBC board meeting for 2012 is on January 29 at 10 AM at the Granville Island Hotel in the Quarter Deck Room (1253 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC). The first COBC board meeting for 2012 is on January 29 at 10 AM at the Granville Island Hotel in the Quarter Deck Room (1253 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC).
Meetings of the Board are open to COBC registrants and members of the public on a pre-arranged basis. The objectives of open board meetings are to enhance the Board's accountability to those who have an interest in the organization's affairs and to facilitate understanding of the Board's governance of the opticianry profession in the public interest. Participation in discussions during the meeting is limited to Board members. If you wish to observe at a board meeting, please notify the College office before the board meeting.

Become a Vision Screening Optician View Full Story Minimize

January 19, 2012 |
Vision screening is an important tool to identify people that need to be under the care of an eye care professional. BC opticians represent a task force that is in the front-line position to provide free vision screening as part of a community outreach program. Under 40% of the population see an eye care professional. That means that there are a lot of people that have yet to truly experience a world where they can see to their very best. Take for example adults age 40 years and older. This group of people are at greatest risk for eye diseases. The major eye diseases for this age group are age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. In particular, adults age 40 years and older are highly at-risk for presbyopia, the normal aging of the eyes, and require vision correction. However, many adults are self-diagnosing themselves with ready readers instead of seeing an Optician because they don't know how Opticians can make them see better. How can you reach out to these people and let them know what they are missing when they can't see their world to their very best?

Vision screening is an important tool to identify people that need to be under the care of an eye care professional. BC opticians represent a task force that is in the front-line position to provide free vision screening as part of a community outreach program.

By becoming an Optician with advanced practice credentials in vision screening, you will be able to:

increase your profile in your community by being the first contact in the vision care system
identify potential consumers who are at risk for eye disease or unaware they need corrective eyewear
educate consumers about the roles and services of Opticians and
list yourself as a Vision Screening Optician on the College of Opticians online registry (under "Specialties")

The College of Opticians will recognize you as a Vision Screening Optician after you complete the following requirements:

1) Complete part 1 of the vision screening program (community outreach) worth 9 EC credits:

Course material (workshop or online module offered by the OBC)
Online multiple choice exam
Practicum (3 hours of community outreach volunteering)

2) Complete part 2 of the vision screening program (specialize in children/adults) worth 6 EC credits:

Course material (workshop or online module offered by
Online multiple choice exam

Part 2 of the vision screening program will become available Fall 2012

In addition, the College of Opticians and OBC: Opticians of British Columbia are partnering together on a vision screening campaign, featuring a vision screening mobile that will tour around BC to hold various vision screening events during the spring and summer of 2012.

Opticians who have completed part 1 of the vision screening course material will have the opportunity to complete their practicum by volunteering at a vision screening event.

Stay tuned for announcements on the dates of upcoming vision screening events.

To register for part 1 of the vision screening course (community outreach) with the OBC, visit http://www.opticians.bc.ca