Well-fitting, attractive up-to-date glasses or contact lenses give people a new look —and, even better— help them see the world more clearly. Opticians help customers choose eyeglass frames or contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. After measuring customers’ eyes and faces, opticians create work orders to have the glasses and lenses made… when the glasses come in from the manufacturer, opticians adjust them to fit the customer and teach customers how to care for their eyewear. Opticians working in small shops or preparing custom orders may sometimes cut lenses and prepare frames… many repair broken frames. They also maintain sales records, keep track of customers’ prescriptions, and order inventory. Opticians generally work full time, although part-time schedules are not uncommon. Most opticians work in optometrist offices and in retail stores— which may include evening and weekend hours. Opticians typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training. Some opticians earn an associate’s degree or a certificate. Many states require licensure.
What they do:
Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Assist client with selecting frames. Measure customer for size of eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames. Verify exactness of finished lens spectacles. Adjust frame and lens position to fit client. May shape or reshape frames. Includes contact lens opticians.
On the job, you would:
Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.
Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.
Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.
Business
customer service
sales and marketing
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
psychology
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
talking to others
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Social
looking for ways to help people
changing what is done based on other people's actions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
use rules to solve problems
Hand and Finger Use
put together small parts with your fingers
keep your arm or hand steady
Attention
do two or more things at the same time
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Self Control
Integrity
Dependability
Analytical Thinking
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Medical software
First Insight MaximEyes
Specialist Data Solutions OctoPlus
Accounting software
Intuit QuickBooks
high school diploma/GED or certificate after high school usually needed
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