News & Events
Vision Care Technology Offers Motor Vehicle Testing
Students Oswlene Bamfield and Marie Joseph, Professor Russo, student Shamara Allen and Professor Jeffrey Siegel
From left: Professors Russo, Siegel and Woods
From left: Rosemary Melda, national sales director, Wise Optical, Professor Robert J. Russo and Vision Care Technology laboratory technician Kimberly Strickler
When it comes time to renew your driver's license
and you need an eye exam, check with City Tech's Department of Vision
Care Technology. The department is now offering this service as
part of its expanded outreach to the community.
"For many years, we've offered free eye exams, screening more
than 200 people a year, primarily students," says Robert Russo,
chair of the vision care technology department. "We started
making motor vehicle testing part of our visual screening in the
fall semester on selected dates. On November 13, for example, about
20 of our students screened 35 people in an hour."
In addition, the Department of Vision Care Technology has clinic hours on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to noon. Motor vehicle screening is done in the last half hour of the clinic, between 11:30 a.m. and noon.
According to Russo, the screenings give students a chance to get first-hand experience with the general public under the guidance of faculty. "There are just so many simulations you can do," he explained. "This provides another dimension to their education. The students really do a great job because they are very motivated.
"We want our students to understand what their professional responsibilities are with respect to the general public," he added. "This includes being able to talk to people about the importance of getting eye examinations and the proper follow-up to pursue for eye-related conditions. Working with patients gives them the opportunity to develop communication skills."
Another important component of the vision care technology department curriculum, Russo stressed, is the importance of community service. "Opticians are asked to do voluntary visual screenings through the Lion's Club, Catholic Youth Organization and other agencies," he said. "Students are taught the importance of giving back to their communities."
The vision care technology department is planning to expand its visual screening services to area public schools and community health fairs. For information on the spring dates for motor vehicle screening or other ophthalmic services offered, please call 718.260.5298.
In other news about the department, Russo proudly announced the receipt of more than $50,000 in ophthalmic lenses from Wise Optical, the second year in a row that the company has provided lenses to the College.
"We are thrilled that this donation will help our students become more proficient in lens processing, identifying, neutralizing and edging," he said. "It gives them a greater understanding of the latest lens products available today."
