December 2007 - A new client information brochure has been designed to further educate you on sight testing. Click here to view.

November 2007 - Congratulations to Opticians for Completing the Automated Refraction Theory Course

We are pleased to report that there has almost been full compliance on completing or enrolling in the automated refracting course and examinations.

July 2007 - Membership Conversations at Round Table Discussions

The COBC and members engaged in interactive conversations on automated refraction and standards of practice in the past few months. BC Refracting Opticians met with COBC representatives to fully understand the COBC Bylaws and Standards of Practice as related to automated refraction.

To date, over 300 Opticians have attended education evenings to learn more about the new standards of practice. The COBC values the feedback from members and looks forward to more conversations for  further dialogue.

May 2007 - High Rates of Enrollment and Completion of Automated Refracting Theory Course

The Board is pleased that many BC Opticians are successfully completing the NAIT/OAC Automated Refracting Theory course. While Opticians have been conducting automated refractions safely for more than eight years, this advanced course is another measure to ensure Opticians are providing the best professional service possible. COBC congratulates the Opticianry community for their ready acceptance of the requirement to complete the course before October 1, 2007. Over 180 Opticians have either completed or are currently enrolled in the course.

May 2007 - Awards & Continuing Education Evening on Automated Refraction

In February 2007, the OBC: Opticians of British Columbia association hosted a very well attended Continuing Education event on automated refraction in Vancouver.

The OBC organized an excellent evening with Eyelogic Systems Inc., where the past and present work of automated refracting Opticians was recognized. The first class of Automated Refracting Opticians was honored and COBC was invited to award their certificates of recognition. COBC also led roundtable discussions on automated refractions and standards of practice.

The COBC thanks NAIT, Eyelogic, and OBC for making the event such a success.

The OBC’s event on automated refraction in Vancouver was so successful that an encore presentation of the event will take place in Kelowna in May 2007. The COBC is invited once again to award certificates of recognition for Automated Refracting Opticians. The Board recognizes that the event serves as a great forum for discussion and appreciates the OBC’s invitation to participate in Kelowna.

August 2007 - Congratulations to Opticians for Completing the Automated Refraction Theory Course

To date, 241 Opticians that have either completed or are enrolled in the automated refracting course and examinations. BC Opticians have a long history of quickly meeting education requirements that are necessary for   public protection. As a result, they continue to demonstrate that the interests of the public is the top priority in their professional lives.

January 2007 - Grandfathering Automated Refraction Opticians

The Board has approved the grandfathering of existing opticians who conduct automated refractions as Automated Refraction Opticians.

Grandfathering exempts these opticians from the Certification Examination only. They will still need to successfully complete an approved Automated Refraction program by October 1, 2007.

All opticians who have already submitted the Notification of Use  form since October 2006 and have completed an appropriate course have been automatically grandfathered.