In an effort to address the nationwide shortage of trained ophthalmic and optometric support staff and increase access to high-quality, flexible technician education, Dr. Cynthia Matossian founded The American College of Eye Technicians (ACET), which offers the ACET Eyecare Technician Training Program virtual course.
“Across the country, eyecare practices are experiencing a technician shortage that directly affects patient access and care,” says Dr. Matossian, who is also president of the program. “Through ACET, we’re building a nationwide pipeline of well-trained professionals who can support ophthalmologists and optometrists in delivering high-quality, compassionate care.”
The program is an 8-week virtual course conducted entirely online. It allows students to complete coursework and interactive learning activities at home under the guidance of experienced instructors. Using the Ophthalmic Medical Assisting course developed by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, participants gain critical knowledge in anatomy, disease, testing, optics, and patient safety, notes Dr. Matossian.
Specifically, students learn to understand the role and responsibilities of an eyecare technician; conduct basic vision tests, pupil assessments, and pre-exam procedures; recognize common ocular and systemic diseases that affect the eye; apply ethical and legal standards, including HIPAA, HITEC, and GINA; and understand optics and refractive principles related to corrective lenses. In addition, weekly assignments, discussions, and knowledge checks reinforce learning, while career development modules help students build resumes, explore job opportunities, and prepare for interviews.
“We educate ACET students in the core concepts, language, and workflow of eye care so that the hands‑on training they receive in the practice is immediately more productive,” says Dr. Matossian. “By the time they arrive in the clinic, they already understand the why behind common tests, procedures, and exam steps, so practices can focus on teaching the how—equipment use, exact techniques, and site‑specific protocols—rather than spending valuable time on background and foundational information.”
Since founding ACET in 2020, Dr. Matossian says the program has graduated a small but growing number of students so far: recent cohorts have a graduation rate of more than 80%. “Graduates are already working in eyecare practices in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Our current goal is to expand recruitment by introducing the program more broadly to practices with staffing needs and by giving them simple tools they can use to share ACET with prospective technicians with no prior experience at career fairs and other outreach events.”
Enrollment for the ACET Eyecare Technician Training Program is now open for the following start dates: March 16, May 18, July 20, and September 21, 2026. Learn more here: https://aceted.org/. OM