About the AOA
The Association of Opticians of Alberta (AOA) was created in 2022 to promote the interests of Opticians and offer member programs and services, such as; professional liability insurance, home and auto insurance, and retirement benefits. These programs will remain accessible to members of the AOA.
What are the 3 O’s
Opticians are one of the three health professions that are concerned with eyes and eye health. The other two “O’s” responsible for eyes are Ophthalmologists, and Optometrists.
Opticians
Opticians are health professionals who supply, prepare, and dispense optical appliances. Basically, we take care of your glasses and contact lens needs, usually working with an Optometrist.
Opticians interpret prescriptions written by Ophthalmologists and Optometrists while considering factors that affect the design and fabrication of the finished appliance.
We’ll help you choose a frame that will work with the lens you need, or find you the best contact lenses for your eyes. When your glasses or contacts are ready, an optician can fit, adjust, and educate on care and usage as required.
Opticians in Alberta must prove their competency with the national licensing exam, usually after earning a diploma in Opticianry. Once they are registered, they continue to prove competency with continuing education courses. The College of Opticians of Alberta regulates opticians in Alberta.
Optometrists
Doctors of Optometry (OD), usually study for about 8 years before they earn the title. In Alberta, Optometrists are regulated by The Alberta College of Optometrists (ACO).
Optometrists are health professionals who assess the eye and visual system. They can diagnose ocular motor disorders and dysfunctions and detect other health problems. An Optometrist can also prescribe and dispense corrective devices.
Ophtalmologists
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MD) who specialize in eye and vision care. They can diagnose and treat eye diseases and provide eye exams to patients.
Ophthalmologists can also prescribe corrective lenses and prescribe and administer medication. Most importantly, they can perform surgery.
Usually, you will only see an ophthalmologist when you have a special need. In Alberta, Ophthalmologists are regulated by: The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.
Mission, Vision, Values Statement
Mission
To advocate, educate, communicate, and advance the profession of Opticianry in Alberta and Across Canada.
Vision
Opticians will be recognized as valued members of the healthcare team. We will strive to exceed expectations. We will have a strong voice in the provincial health care system and collaborate with stakeholders to better our profession.
Value
Fairness, equality, open honest communication, diligence, ethics, hard work.
Board Members
Board Members
Dean Thompson - Chair
Dean has been an Optician Contact Lens Practitioner for the past thirty-three years, during this time he has taken on many different responsibilities ranging from his starting position as a Lab Technician to varying management positions ranging from being a Lab Manager to an owner of an Optical clinic and as a subject matter expert for the implementation of the new SAIT Optical program. In addition to serving two terms with the ACAO Dean has continued to volunteer his time as a preceptor for Optical students and as a guest speaker engagements with the Optical students in the SAIT Optical program.
As the Association steering committee Dean was part of a team responsible for researching the feasibility and eventual implementation of the new Association of Opticians of Alberta. The transition from the Government imposed separation of the ACAO into two separate organizations has been a work of passion for the Optical industry, his hopes are that all Opticians in Alberta and western Canada will see the value of having a Strong independent western voice in Canada, By becoming a member of the AOA we can make positive and meaningful change in the Optical industry.
When Dean is not all consumed by all things optical he likes to volunteer his time being a team member with Optical Mission team serving people in need in developing countries like Ecuador and Peru. I also have a passion for landscape and travel photography.
Valeria Pryma - Vice Chair & Volunteer Engagement Committee (Chair)
Valerie is a licensed Optician and Contact Lens Practitioner, working in the Optical industry since October 1989. Valerie was on the ACAO as board Member for 5 years and worked on different areas of board including Vice President and Chair of Association committee and recruiting opticians to volunteer for the board. She has also volunteered with Nacor as Examiner for the since 2019.
She has been helping to form the new Association of Opticians. Valerie is looking for volunteers as well recruitment of new Board members, Receiving Nominations for the Opticians Hall of Fame.
Valerie enjoys going to Elk's Games, Concerts, Kayaking and hanging out at campfires, travelling, diving, singing and socializing...
Rick Miller - Third Party Government Negotiations (Chair)
Rick has been in the Optical industry for 35 years, He has worked in Independent Optical's, Chains, Box Stores and in an Ophthalmology Clinic. He has taken spectacle, contact lens, manual refracting and automated refracting courses from Nait, and Ophthalmic Assistant from Sait. He has served many years with the both the College and the Association of Opticians here in Alberta. He is currently an owner and Refracting Optician at Southern Optical Ltd. in Lethbridge.
He is also currently serving on the Association of Opticians of Alberta in the role of negotiation committee chair.
When he is not performing his duties at his business, and for the Association, he likes to go camping, and enjoy time with his wife, schnauzer, and four grandkids.
Shay Gornshtein - Education Committee (Chair)
An optometrist by trade, Shai Gornshtein has brought his keen interest in eye health and passion for Opticianry first to Oulton College in NB in 2016, then to to SAIT in 2017 — working first as an instructor and then in the role as academic chair for the Vision Care Sciences
In fewer than three years, Gornshtein has helped bring forward a new, innovative and full-time Optician program to SAIT, while soliciting over $1M in an state-of-the-art clinical space to set a gold-standard for Optician education in Canada.
Prior to joining SAIT, Gornshtein served six years in the Israeli army practicing optometry, with managing ophthalmic health services, before becoming the director of operations for the ophthalmology division of a medical centre in Tel Aviv.
After moving to Canada, Gornshtein taught in the faculty of health sciences at a college in New Brunswick before moving to Calgary and taking a part-time teaching position at SAIT. He became the program development coordinator just over a year later.
Along with helping create an optician diploma program, Gornshtein has helmed the creation of the ophthalmic and optometric assisting program — which doesn’t exist elsewhere in Canada under a post-secondary institution and answers a critical industry need not being addressed elsewhere.
In July 2022, Shai joined the Eye Care team at EssilorLuxottica, overseeing licensed recruiting and professional services across Canada. In his role, Shai is hoping to keep making making an impact on the optician industry in through student advocacy, supporting educational programs and working closely with the regulator, colleges and other stakeholders to elevate the profession.
The Board of Directors is elected by members:
The Board of Directors governs the association. Elected council members are Registered Opticians in good standing; these are your peers in the field, chosen by you, and dedicated to serving you.
Elections
More information to come.
Alberta Optician Programs
SAIT - Optician
Credential: Diploma
Length: 2 years
Be at the forefront of eye care practice, working as part of a multi-disciplinary vision care team. Students will study ocular pathology, refracting and pharmacology, as well as business and retail aspects of the profession.
The Optician program trains students to be in the forefront of eye care practice, working as part of a multi-disciplinary vision care team.
NAIT - Optical Sciences
Credential: Diploma
Length: 2 years
Students complete the theory portion online and the clinical portion (practicum) at their workplace. The practicum consists of on-the-job training, similar in nature to an apprenticeship. Students perfect their skills under the direct supervision of a qualified preceptor at their place of employment.
