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Ophthalmic
Science Department News
Tom is Published!
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Tom Hunter's article "The Impact of Loss of Near
Vision in Presbyopic Patients" appeared in the 4th Quarter 1999
issue of EyeWitness, the quarterly magazine published by the Contact
Lens Society of America. The piece addressed both physiological and
psychological changes that occur in presbyopia. Tom has also completed
a description of the opticianry profession that will be published
in the near future.
New Faculty Degree
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Patrick Goughary has earned the Master of Arts Deree
in English from Rutgers University. Most of the coursework emphasized
various kinds of creative writing, with excursions into publishing,
editing, and literary criticism. Watch your grammar on that next term
paper, students!
COA News
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Camden County College's Ophthalmic Science Program has
received reaccreditation until the year 2005 by the Commission on
Opticianry Accreditation (COA). The COA accredits optical programs
nationwide, and is authorized by the Department of Education. The
reaccreditation comes as a result of an on-site inspection in the
Spring of 1999. In a letter notifying the college of reaccrediation,
the COA accreditation team complimented the Ophthalmic Science Program
on the strength of the faculty and their committment to new technology
in both teaching and opticianry.
Speaking Engagements
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Patrick Goughary is scheduled to give a 5 hour hands-on
workshop on retinoscopy at the 45th Annual Education Meeting of the
Contact Lens Society of America. Co-teaching the workshop is Bernard
Stewart of Seattle, WA. The CLSA meeting is March 14-18 in St. Petersburg,
FL.
Patrick Goughary and Tom Hunter will present the three continuing
education hours fot the Spring 2000 edition of the Camden County College
Ophthalmic Lecture Series. The theme for the evening will be problems
caused by muscle imbalance and their optical correction. The on-going
lecture series, sponsored by the Ophthalmic Science Department and
C.C.C., offers at least three hours of continuing education each Spring
and Fall for NJ licensed opticians.
Patrick is also invited to speak to a group of optical
professionals at Scheie Eye Institute in Philadelphia on May 6. Topics
are Optics and Lensometry.
ABO/NCLE Results
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Congratulations to Melissa McGinley, who is now certified
by the American Board of Opticianry after successfully completing
the examination administered in November 1999. Chris Ochipinti earned
certification by the National Contact Lens Examiners by passing the
May 1999 exam. Many more students will be sitting for both the ABO
and NCLE exams in May, 2000.
Ophthalmic Science Alumni Association
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The second annual Alumni Dinner was held on November
14, 1999. The dinner honored Basil "Bus" Blair for his many
years of service to the Ophthalmic Science Department and his contributions
to the optical industry. Graduates, faculty, and family members celebrated
Bus' induction to the NAO Hall of Fame.
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of The Virginia
Blair Clevenger Alumni Scholarship. This new scholarship was created
to honor the memory of Bus' recently deceased daughter Virginia. The
scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving student who is
in financial need. Over $1000. has been donated to the scholarship
fund to date.
We want all ophthalmic graduates to receive our mailings.
If you do not yet belong to the Ophthalmic Science Alumni Association,
contact Tom Hunter at thunter@camdencc.edu, or (856) 374-5058. Let's
make this organization work!
State Board Exams
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The New Jersey State Board Exams were held at the Blackwood
campus on September 23-24. Approximately 150 candidates sat for the
tests.
New Equipment
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Much new equipment has been acquired over the last couple
of years, as a result of increased grant money secured by the department.
The new additions include:
1 Optronics Vista Dry-cut Generator
4 Edgemaster II edgers for glass, plastic and polycarbonate
1 Essilor 90m patternless edger
5 Marco LN770 projection lensometers
3 Novamatic Marker/Blockers for finishing
1 AIT Marker/Blocker for surfacing
1 OWC reclaim tank
1 OWC digital Sagittal Gauge
1 OWC digital Thickness Gauge
12 saltpans
1 9-well tint unit with auto-gradient
3 Keeler corded retinoscopes
1 Keratron computerized corneal topographer
1 Gamma edger and tracer
Feel free to stop in at the school any time you are
in the area, to say "hello" and see the new improvements.
New Programs
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The Ophthalmic Science Department, and the College,
are currently investigating the feasibility of two new programs: a
degree program in Ophthalmic Technicianry, and a certificate program
in Contact Lens Fitting.
The Ophthalmic Technician Program would prepare graduates to assist
in either an ophthalmologist's or optometrist's office. Skills would
include histories, record keeping, visual fields, tonometry, color
testing, refraction, and contact lens fitting. The length of the program
would be two years.
The Contact Lens Fitting Program would be a one year
curriculum, designed to provide students with the background needed
to fit contact lenses under the supervision of an eye doctor. The
courses would cover the anatomy of the eye, the basics of contact
lenses, the fitting of spherical lenses (both rigid and soft), and
the fitting of specialty lenses (toric, bifocal, keratoconic, therapeutic,
etc.).
We welcome your suggestions about these planned programs.
If you have comments, or would like more information, please contact
Tom Hunter at (856) 374-5058, or thunter@camdencc.edu.
Third Annual Review Course
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For the third year in a row, the Ophthalmic Science
Program faculty coordinated their efforts to provide an intensive
review for students preparing to take the state board exams. The classes
were given from August 19-22. The review is patterned after the format
of the state boards: four written portions (anatomy, theoretical optics,
ophthalmic optics, and dispensing), and three practical portions (fitting
and adjusting, shop, and neutralization). Over the four days, at least
two sections of each portion is offered, so participants can attend
around their work schedules. Numbers are limited to ensure all participants
received individual attention.
As usual, the event was a huge success. Candidates like the new format,
and suggest that it be continued. Therefore, the next review course
will be offered in August of 2000. If you would like to attend, or
need more information, contact Tom Hunter at (856) 374-5058, or thunter@camdencc.edu.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
Questions? or Comments?
goughary@email.njin.net |
