ABO Basic Exam: National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE)

Content Outline and Test Specifications

I. Ophthalmic Optics (25%)

Terminology

Prescriptions

Lens characteristics

Lens powers and formulas

Lens types

Various lens materials

Effect of changes in base curve and thickness

Calculating prismatic effects

Effect of lens materials and design on thickness, weight, and dispersion (e.g., aspheric, digital surfacing)

Measurement systems and conversions (e.g., Imperial, metric, box)

Lens options for various occupations and other lifestyle activities

Usable accommodation and the range of vision with various lens powers

Neutralization of lenses

Ophthalmic Formulas

II. Ocular Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology, and Refraction (10%)

Structure of the eye and function

Pathology

Refraction 

III. Ophthalmic Products (20%)

Frames

Lenses

Low Vision Aids

Preassembled eyewear 

IV. Instrumentation (15%)

Use of lens power measuring devices

Use of lens measurement devices

Dispensing instrumentation

V. Dispensing Procedures (20%)

Patient history

Fitting, adjusting, and measuring 

VI. Laws, Regulations, and Standards (10%)

(no subheadings)

NCLE Basic Exam: Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE)

Content Outline and Test Specifications

I. Ocular Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology (12%)

Structure and function of the eye as related to contact lens wear 

Pathology 

II. Refractive Errors (5%)

Ametropias and optical conditions related to contact lenses

Principles of optics and terminology as related to contact lenses 

III. Instrumentation for Measurement and Observation (12%)

Measurement

Observation

Lens modification/verification 

IV. Prefitting (15%)

Evaluation of data

Material and design  

V. Diagnostic Fitting (11%)

Lens selection procedures

Lens application

Fluorescein pattern evaluation procedures

Aspects of contact lens wear and fit (e.g., movement, centration, overall stability/axis rotation)

Evaluation of patient subjective responses (e.g., patient comfort/discomfort, visual acuity) 

VI. Dispensing (20%)

Wear

Care 

Handling

VII. Follow-up (20%)

Subjective findings

Objective findings

Assessment 

Plan

VIII. Regulatory and Administrative (5%)

Administrative

Laws and Regulations/Legal Obligations

2024 Testing Dates/Registration Deadlines

January 2- March 31, 2024 Testing Window:  

Registration opens December 1 and closes on March 15. There are no late registrations.

April 1 - June 30, 2024 Testing Window:  

Registration opens March 16 and closes on June 15. There are no late registrations.

July 1- September 30, 2024 Testing Window:  

Registration opens June 16 and closes on September 15. There are no late registrations.

October 1- December 21, 2024 Testing Window:  

Registration opens September 16 and closes on November 15. There are no late registrations.

Basic Examinations are given in English and Spanish, via computer, and each exam is 2 hours long. There is a brief tutorial and a summary that do not affect the 2 hour time allocation for the Basic Examinations.  You must be at least 18 years old, and a high school graduate or have earned a GED or the equivalent in order to take the exams. ABO-NCLE reserves the right to require that you produce proof of eligibility at any time. 

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