ABO-NCLE Optician Exam Prep

Hours: 142 / Access Length: 12 Months / Delivery: Online, Self-Paced

Course Overview:

Unleash your full potential as an eyecare professional! Our comprehensive course equips you with the essential knowledge and skills to master both contact lens fitting and eyewear expertise. Gain in-depth understanding of lens types, fitting techniques, and industry standards. Prepare confidently for the National Contact Lens Examination and National Opticianry Competency Exam. Take your career to new heights with our expert training.

Students will:
  • Identify how to assess a patient for suitability for contact lenses.
  • Explain the design, fit, and lens care for a variety of lenses.
  • Identify best practices when fitting and educating patients on wearing contact lenses.
  • Describe special circumstances or medical conditions that might affect the wearer of contact lenses.
  • Identify the parts and types of frames.
  • Explain how to properly measure frames to fit a patient.
  • Describe best practices when helping someone try on and order frames.
  • Explain the procedures for fitting someone with their new glasses, including inserting lenses, alignment, and frame adjustments.
  • Review the mathematical principles used in basic optics.
  • Identify characteristics of ophthalmic lenses.
  • Describe how prisms are used in optics.

This course prepares students to take the NCLE Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE) Basic and ABO National Opticianry Competency Exam (NOCE) Basic national certification exams.

Everyone who is at least 18 years of age and has a high school diploma or GED is eligible to sit for the exams. Students that live in the state of Virginia and New Jersey will need to research and follow their state licensing board regulations before testing. While no experience is required, candidates with two to three years hands-on experience or completion of an optical school program are more successful in passing the exams.

More information, such as testing window dates and remote proctoring availability by state can be found on the ABO-NCLE website here.

Course Outline:

ABO National Opticianry Competency Exam (NOCE) Prep Curriculum:
Lesson 1: Frame Types and Parts

This introductory lesson offers a look at basic terminology used for eyeglass frames and materials used to make them.

Lesson 2: Frame Measurements and Markings

Ordering prescription glasses requires knowledge of frame measurements and how frames are marked. This lesson will provide the background needed for developing this skill.

Lesson 3: Measuring the Interpupillary Distance

The measure of interpupillary distance is essential for placement of the optical center of lenses. Incorrect distances can also lead to medical issues for the patient. This lesson will provide the method for accurately measuring this distance.

Lesson 4: Frame Selection

Helping someone find frames that fit their face shape and work with the correct lenses is not a simple task. This lesson will help with providing the necessary knowledge needed for basic competency in selecting frames.

Lesson 5: Reference Point Placement, Multifocal Height, and Blank Size Determination

This lesson is crucial in fine tuning the lens for the wearer. Mistakes in these topics can lead to visual hardship for patients.

Lesson 6: Ordering and Verification

This lesson will guide you through the procedures followed when ordering and verifying prescription lenses from the laboratory.

Lesson 7: Lens Insertion

This lesson covers the methods and potential issues associated with inserting lenses into the frames.

Lesson 8: Standard Alignment

This lesson provides the groundwork for fitting frames, and the various ways a frame can be manipulated to align properly.

Lesson 9: Adjusting the Frame

For eyeglasses to be worn as intended, the principles covered in this lesson are essential. This lesson focuses on fitting the frames properly onto the wearer.

Lesson 10: Frame Repairs and Modifications

This is the last lesson focusing on frames. This lesson covers frame repairs as well as minor adjustments for fit.

Lesson 11: Math for Optics

This lesson will be a review of math that is used in basic optics.

Lesson 12: Characteristics of Ophthalmic Lenses

This lesson focuses on the concepts of reflection and refraction, which make lenses work the way we need them to and contribute to vision overall.

Lesson 13: Lens Curvature and Thickness

The shape of a lens greatly affects its performance. The thickness of the lens has an impact on how the lens functions in frames. Together, these principles form the basis of this lesson.

Lesson 14: Optical Considerations with Increasing Lens Power

With increasing lens power, other factors must be compensated for to allow the lens to perform as intended. This lesson will cover these factors, such as thickness and positioning.

Lesson 15: Optical Prism: Power and Base Direction

This lesson looks at how a prism works and how it is used in eye care.

Lesson 16: Optical Prism: Decentration and Thickness

This lesson will explore the relationship between prisms and lens prescriptions.

Lesson 17: Fresnel Prisms and Lenses

Fresnel lenses and prisms are constructed differently than normal lenses and prisms. This lesson uncovers those differences and the circumstances surrounding the use of Fresnel lenses.

Lesson 18: Lens Design

This lesson will demonstrate how to make appropriate choices in lens design and what to look for in a lens.

Lesson 19: Segmented Multifocal Lenses

In this lesson you will learn about multifocal lenses. These are lenses design to help people who need lenses to correct more than one distance.

Lesson 20: Progressive Addition Lenses

This lesson will cover progressive addition lenses. You will learn the purpose behind these lenses, specialty types of this lens, and the measurement and disbursement of progressive addition lenses.

Lesson 21: Anisometropia

When there is unequal focus between the two eyes, a person is considered to have anisometropia. It can cause problems in the eyesight of children. This is the focus of lesson 21.

Lesson 22: Absorptive Lenses

This lesson is a thorough introduction to absorptive lenses. This is often a misunderstood and complicated area in eye care.

Lesson 23: Lens Materials, Safety Eyewear, and Sports Eyewear

Eye protection is the focus of this lesson. Lens material and eye safety in the workplace, sports, and recreation are all covered.

Lesson 24: How Lenses are Edged

Lenses are edged in the finishing laboratory, the second step in creating lenses. This last lesson will cover this final step in lens creation.

NCLE Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE) Exam Prep Curriculum:
Lesson 1: The Preliminary Evaluation

This first lesson details the first step in the contact lens fitting process, which is done to determine the suitability of the patient for contact lenses.

Lesson 2: Optical Considerations in Contact Lens Practice

This lesson provides a background for the contact lens practitioner in the area of contact lens optics. Topics include clinically relevant topics as well as a practical guide for calculating the refractive power of contact lenses.

Lesson 3: Corneal Topography

Fitting contact lenses can often depend on the shape of the ocular surface and cornea. This lesson covers the evaluation done on the eye to ensure proper fitting of the contact lens.

Lesson 4: Material Selection

In this lesson, you will learn about the materials used in the creation of contact lenses. Not every patient will be a good fit for every type of contact lens. The focus on this lesson is on pros and cons of the different materials used in creating contact lenses, and when each would be best for patients.

Lesson 5: Gas-Permeable Lens Design, Fitting, and Evaluation

This lesson covers the fitting, evaluation, and ordering of contacts for those patients who are a good fit for gas-permeable lenses.

Lesson 6: Gas-Permeable Lens Care and Patient Education

The success of using gas-permeable lenses is highly dependent on how patient's care for the lenses. This lesson covers the necessary care and patient education for gas-permeable lenses.

Lesson 7: Verification

In order for gas-permeable lenses to be dispensed and fit correctly, they must go through several verification steps. This lesson covers those verification methods.

Lesson 8: Gas-Permeable Lens Problem-Solving

This chapter covers the management of potential problems that might arise with patients related to the wearing of gas-permeable contact lenses.

Lesson 9: Modification of Gas-Permeable Corneal and Scleral Lenses

When gas-permeable lenses are fit, there are often in-office modifications that can be made to improve fitting, vision, or comfort. This lesson covers those modifications, why they might be made, and equipment used in the modification.

Lesson 10: Soft Material Selection

This lesson will explore the different soft lens materials available, their similarities and differences, and the properties of the different materials.

Lesson 11: Soft Contact Lens Fitting and Evaluation

In this lesson, you will learn how to evaluate a patient to determine if they are a good fit for soft contact lenses, and which type of soft contact lens might be suitable for a patient.

Lesson 12: Soft Lens Care and Patient Education

As with gas-permeable lenses, soft lenses require patient care to prevent problems and infections. This lesson is designed to give the tools necessary to teach patients how to care for their soft lenses.

Lesson 13: Soft Lens Problem-Solving

Even with proper evaluation and fitting, there can be complications with soft lenses. This lesson covers what complications might arise and how to problem solve them.

Lesson 14: Correction of Astigmatism

This lesson will cover the principles of astigmatic correction with both gas-permeable and soft toric lenses.

Lesson 15: Multifocal Contact Lenses

With aging populations, multifocal lenses are in increasing demand. This lesson focuses on how contact lenses can meet that demand.

Lesson 16: Overnight Contact Lens Wear

In this lesson, you will learn about extended wear or continuous wear lenses, that allow the for permanent vision correction with contact lenses.

Lesson 17: Pediatric Contact Lens Fitting

Selecting contact lenses for pediatric patients is possible, but requires many considerations and examinations. This lesson covers the fitting of contact lenses for young patients.

Lesson 18: Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a disease of the cornea, often managed with specialty contact lenses. This lesson covers the disease as well as contact lens management to help with Keratoconus.

Lesson 19: Postsurgical Contact Lens Fitting

This lesson covers the use of contact lenses for therapeutic ocular surface or for improved optical correction after corneal surgery.

Lesson 20: Scleral Lenses

This lesson covers the use of scleral lenses and when they are appropriate to use with patients.

Lesson 21: Myopia Control

Myopia is a very common eye disorder. This lesson covers the disease as well as methods of controlling it using contact lenses.

Lesson 22: Orthokeratology

This lesson covers the process of orthokeratology, which is the practice of changing the curvature of the cornea using specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses.

Lesson 23: Prosthetic Contact Lenses

The topic of this lesson is the use of prosthetic contact lenses. We will explore the various types and uses of these lenses.

Lesson 24: Management of Contact Lens Associated or Lens Induced Pathology

Contact lens wearers can experience complications when wearing their lenses. In this lesson, you will learn about the various complications and treatment of those issues.

Lesson 25: Contact Lens Practice Management

This lesson covers the practice of offering contact lenses to patients. Establishing a contact lens practice, how to maintain and improve upon it, and how to keep a contact lens practice thriving.

Lesson 26: Specialty Contact Lens Coding and Billing

This final lesson covers the billing and coding of medically necessary and specialty contact lenses.

All necessary course materials are included.

Certification(s):

This course prepares students to take the NCLE Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE) Basic and ABO National Opticianry Competency Exam (NOCE) Basic national certification exams.

Everyone who is at least 18 years of age and has a high school diploma or GED is eligible to sit for the exams. Students that live in the state of Virginia and New Jersey will need to research and follow their state licensing board regulations before testing. While no experience is required, candidates with two to three years hands-on experience or completion of an optical school program are more successful in passing the exams.

More information, such as testing window dates and remote proctoring availability by state can be found on the ABO-NCLE website here.


System Requirements:

Internet Connectivity Requirements:

  • Cable, Fiber, DSL, or LEO Satellite (i.e. Starlink) internet with speeds of at least 10mb/sec download and 5mb/sec upload are recommended for the best experience.

NOTE: While cellular hotspots may allow access to our courses, users may experience connectivity issues by trying to access our learning management system.  This is due to the potential high download and upload latency of cellular connections.   Therefore, it is not recommended that students use a cellular hotspot as their primary way of accessing their courses.

Hardware Requirements:

  • CPU: 1 GHz or higher
  • RAM: 4 GB or higher
  • Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher.  1920x1080 resolution is recommended for the best experience.
  • Speakers / Headphones
  • Microphone for Webinar or Live Online sessions.

Operating System Requirements:

  • Windows 7 or higher.
  • Mac OSX 10 or higher.
  • Latest Chrome OS
  • Latest Linux Distributions

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

Web Browser Requirements:

  • Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
  • Latest Mozilla FireFox
  • Latest Microsoft Edge
  • Latest Apple Safari

Basic Software Requirements (These are recommendations of software to use):

  • Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
  • PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
  • Courses may require other software that is described in the above course outline.


** The course outlines displayed on this website are subject to change at any time without prior notice. **