A student with real tunnel vision

Performing an eye pressure test is one of many important responsibilities handled by Charlie Thomas, right, a certified ophthalmic technician. She examined Helen Ricco of Prairie City Monday at the office of Dr. James Davis. (Baker City Herald/S. John Collins)

“I don’t want to pass the scalpel — I want to hold it,” she said with a smile.

Thomas, 32, recently earned her certified ophthalmic technician license. She works for Dr. James Davis in Baker City.

This license means she can assist in eye surgery, perform diagnostic tests, test eye pressure, perform eye tests (if you’ve had a vision test lately, these are the ones with “Is one better? Or two?” questions), take photographs of the eyes and much more.

“Setting (patients) up, basic triage, getting them ready for the doctor,” she said.

“They’re a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to eye stuff,” Davis said.

The license is through the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). Also in the office is Johanna Shorey, who earned her technician license 23 years ago.

The two women were curious about how common this license is, so they did a little research and discovered that they are two of 10 in Oregon, and the only ones east of Bend.

“I thought every ophthalmologist had these (technicians),” Davis said. “I know I have good people working for me, and I like them to keep learning.”

Thomas hasn’t always had an interest in eyes — after finishing high school she studied music for two years at the University of Charleston.

But she lost interest in that as a career, and returned home to Baker City.

She started working with Davis in 2004 and began working to become more qualified.

The first step was an independent study course — which took three years — and then an application to be a certified ophthalmic assistant.

Another three years and 2,000 hours later (and a big test), Thomas has earned the “technician” distinction.

She said the more she learns about eyes, the more she wants to know.

“The more I got into it, the more I liked it,” she said. “I said ‘what’s next?’ (Dr. Davis) said med school.”

She has about 20 credits left to get a Bachelors of Arts degree through Eastern Oregon University (plus minors in chemistry, biology and Spanish), and then she’ll start applying to medical school.

It’s interesting, she said, that she’s pursuing a career in vision, because she lost her left eye in a bicycle accident when she was 4. She’s had a glass eye ever since, and has learned how to adjust to limited vision.

She said Davis warned her that some might consider her condition as a handicap as she gets more involved in the medical field.

“He said ‘They’re going to say you can’t do it. Don’t listen to them,’ ” she said.