Optician
An optician is a skilled professional responsible for the making, fitting, and dispensing of optical products such as eyeglasses and contact lenses. There are two main types of opticians: manufacturing opticians, who work in laboratory settings to fabricate lenses according to prescriptions, and dispensing opticians, who assist customers in selecting frames and ensuring proper fit. Opticians typically work in a variety of environments, including optical stores, medical offices, and laboratories.
Successful opticians are often detail-oriented, possess good eyesight, and have strong customer service skills. Education requirements generally include a high school diploma, with many opting for postsecondary education in opticianry or related fields. On-the-job training is common, as opticians learn specialized skills relevant to their specific roles. The job outlook for opticians is promising, with an average annual salary of around $44,170. Overall, opticians play a vital role in eye care and vision health, ensuring that patients receive the optical products they need for clarity and comfort.
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Subject Terms
Optician
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Ophthalmology, applied technology, mathematics, lab technology, clinical science, patient care
Earnings (Yearly Median): $44,170 per year $21.23 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 3% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education High school diploma or equivalent
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Long-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Opticians are responsible for the making, fitting, and distributing of optical products, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses. Manufacturing opticians generally work in laboratory settings, fabricating and preparing lenses for prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. Dispensing opticians work in medical or commercial settings. They measure people for eyeglass fit and shape, help customers select eyeglass frames or contact lenses, and distribute the completed eyeglasses or contact lenses to customers.
Work Environment. Opticians spend their workdays in eye doctors’ offices, optical stores, hospitals, lens-crafting businesses, and laboratories. Optical stores, medical offices, and laboratory environments tend to be clean and well-ventilated. Manufacturing opticians may experience loud noise from the machinery they use in their work. Opticians generally work forty hours per week or more, depending on customer or patient needs.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the profession of optician tend to be intelligent and detail-oriented. Those most successful opticians display good eyesight, hand-eye coordination, tact, stamina, and effective time management. Opticians should enjoy spending time in medical and laboratory settings and have a strong customer service or patient care background.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Opticians’ daily occupational duties and responsibilities are determined by their area of job specialization and work environment. Opticians can specialize in dispensing opticianry (i.e., customer measuring and fitting and customer or patient support) or manufacturing opticianry (i.e., optical instrument assembling, lens-mold setting, precision lens grinding, and contact lens blocking and cutting).
Before beginning work on a project, manufacturing opticians must read prescription specifications prepared by optometrists or ophthalmologists, determine the materials and equipment needed to achieve the prescription specifications, select and mark up the glass or plastic to be used in the eyeglasses, and inspect all glass and plastic lens blanks before use to detect flaws or imperfections. The manufacturing optician then cuts and bevels the lens to fit the eyeglass frames, etches the prescribed thickness and curves using an automated lens grinder, and may tint lenses or change frame appearance with permanent dyes as requested by the customer. They must observe the automated machines throughout the manufacturing process, including their gauges and dials, to ensure they function correctly and according to specifications.
When manufacturing and alterations are complete, opticians polish the lenses manually or mechanically to achieve a smooth finish, use a lensometer to ensure that the lenses meet prescription specifications, and assemble the finished eyeglasses, including attachments like nose and ear pads. They must inspect finished lenses' quality, appearance, and prescription conformance. Most opticians also perform some work repairing broken lenses and frames.
Opticians are additionally responsible for continuously setting up and cleaning optical equipment, materials, and display areas.
Precision Lens Technicians (716.280-018). Precision lens technicians set up and operate machine tools to fabricate optical elements and systems, applying knowledge of layout and machining techniques and procedures.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The primary physical environment of opticians varies based on their employer and specialization. Opticians spend their workdays in medical, commercial, and laboratory settings in eye doctors’ offices, vision centers, hospitals, lens-crafting businesses, and educational facilities.
Human Environment. Opticians interact with customers, optometrists, ophthalmologists, office staff, store managers, and laboratory workers. Manufacturing opticians typically have little contact with customers or the public.
Technological Environment. Opticians use a wide variety of technology and equipment to complete their work. Their tools include calipers, polishing cloths and screwdrivers, and automated machines such as computerized lens grinding, cutting, etching, polishing machines, and lensometers. Additionally, opticians should be comfortable using computers, internet communication tools, spreadsheets, telephones, copiers, and medical and optical imaging software.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as an optician should prepare themselves by developing good study habits. High school–level study of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and mathematics will provide a strong foundation for work as an optician or postsecondary work in the field.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming an optician should work towards an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in opticianry, optical science, clinical sciences, applied technology, or a related field. Postsecondary students can gain work experience and potential advantage in future job searches by securing internships, apprenticeships, or part-time employment as a technician in eye doctors’ offices, vision centers, or optical laboratories.
Related Occupations
− Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician
Bibliography
"Opticians." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/opticians-dispensing.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
Opticians Association of America, Opticians Association of America, 2024, oaa.org. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.