Dispensing Optician
Registered Spectacle Lens Dispensers (RSLD)
Optometrists
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians
Special Working Conditions
Specialized Skills
Education
Advancement
Nationwide Earnings
Nationwide Job Outlook

DISPENSING OPTICIAN  

Dispensing opticians fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. Dispensing opticians help customers select appropriate frames, order the necessary ophthalmic laboratory work and adjust the finished eyeglasses. In some States, they fit contact lenses under the supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Dispensing opticians examine written prescriptions to determine lens specifications. They recommend eyeglass frames, lenses and lens coatings after considering the prescription and the customer's occupation, habits, and facial features. Dispensing opticians measure clients' eyes, including the distance between the centers of the pupils and the distance between the eye surface and the lens. For customers without prescriptions, dispensing opticians may use a lensometer to record the present eyeglass prescription. They also may obtain a customer's previous record, or verify a prescription with the examining optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Dispensing opticians prepare work orders that give ophthalmic laboratory technicians information needed to grind and insert lenses into a frame. The work order includes lens prescriptions and information on lens size, material, color and style. Some dispensing opticians grind and insert lenses themselves. After the glasses are made, dispensing opticians verify that the lenses have been ground to specifications. Then they may reshape or bend the frame, by hand or using pliers, so that the eyeglasses fit the customer properly and comfortably. Some also fix, adjust and refit broken frames. They instruct clients about adapting to, wearing or caring for eyeglasses.

Some dispensing opticians specialize in fitting contacts, artificial eyes or cosmetic shells to cover blemished eyes. To fit contact lenses, dispensing opticians measure eye shape and size, select the type of contact lens material, and prepare work orders specifying the prescription and lens size. Fitting contact lenses requires considerable skill, care and patience. Dispensing opticians observe customers' eyes, corneas, lids and contact lenses with special instruments and microscopes. During several visits, opticians show customers how to insert, remove and care for their contacts, and ensure the fit is correct.

Dispensing opticians keep records on customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments; track inventory and sales; and perform other administrative duties.  

SPECIALIZED SKILLS  

Knowledge of physics, basic anatomy, algebra, geometry and mechanical drawing is particularly valuable because training usually includes instruction in optical mathematics, optical physics, and the use of precision measuring instruments and other machinery and tools. Because dispensing opticians deal directly with the public, they should have a neat appearance, and be tactful, have good people and communication skills. Sales ability may also be necessary. Dispensing opticians need to have practical skills and should be skilled in making calculations. They should have organizational ability and the ability to follow instructions. It is a plus to be polite and observant. They should also be positive, supportive and able to inspire confidence in others. An optician must display a high level of professionalism in front of patients. Opticians are often trained in insurance plans due to the wide varieties of eyewear plans that they deal with on a daily basis..

EDUCATION  

Employers generally hire individuals with no background in opticianry or those who have worked as ophthalmic laboratory technicians and then provide the required training. Training may be informal, on-the-job, or formal apprenticeship. Some employers, however, seek people with post-secondary training in opticianry.  
Large employers generally offer structured apprenticeship programs, and small employers provide more informal on-the-job training. In the 21 States that license dispensing opticians, individuals without post-secondary training work from 2 to 4 years as apprentices. Apprenticeship or formal training is offered in most of the other States as well. Apprentices receive technical training and learn office management and sales. Under the supervision of an experienced optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist, apprentices work directly with patients, fitting eyeglasses and contact lenses. In States requiring licensure, information about apprenticeships and licensing procedures is available from the State board of occupational licensing.  

Formal opticianry training is offered in community colleges and a few colleges and universities. In 1997, there were 23 programs accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation that awarded 2-year associate degrees in ophthalmic dispensing or optometric technology. There are also shorter programs, including some under 1 year. Some States that license dispensing opticians allow graduates to take the licensure exam immediately upon graduation; others require a few months to a year of experience.  
Dispensing opticians may apply to the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners for certification of their skills. Certification must be renewed
every 3 years through continuing education.  

Dispensing opticians also need to know about:

• the eye and the way it works
• how to interpret prescriptions and how to customize them for the client
• optical products such as solutions for contact lenses, glasses lenses, frames and sunglasses
• fashion trends for glasses frames
• different face shapes and what frames suit a particular shape
• the construction of frames, the materials used and the design characteristics
• business management
• up-to-date information about new lenses.

Equipment

Some of the equipment a dispensing optician uses includes: 

A Manual or auto lens meter to accurately measure all lenses for glasses 
Precise equipment, such as screwdrivers and pliers, to adjust lenses and frames 
Grinding and edging machines to grind the lens to fit the frames 
A pupilometer to measure the distance between a person's pupils.

ADVANCEMENT  

Many experienced dispensing opticians open their own optical stores. Others become managers of optical stores or sales representatives for wholesalers or manufacturers of eyeglasses or lenses. Some earn advanced degrees and become optometrists or ophthalmologists.  

NATIONWIDE EARNINGS  

If working for somebody else, dispensing opticians usually earn between $35,000 
and $70,000 per year. The salary for dispensing opticians who own their own 
business may vary greatly, depending on the location, the number of clients and the 
number of hours worked. Owners, managers and certified graduates of opticianry 
schools had highest earnings, as did dispensing opticians who worked in States 
that require licensure. In addition to base salaries, many employers provide 
commissions, bonuses, and profit-sharing. 

NATIONWIDE JOB OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment 
published by the Labor Market Information Division.

Estimated number of workers in 1993             6,950
Estimated number of workers in 2005             8,440
Projected Growth 1993-2005                        21%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005   2,150
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)

 

This occupation is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations
 in California. The existing supply of qualified workers generally meets the demand of 
qualified workers. Still, employers reported some difficulty recruiting qualified 
Dispensing Opticians in more rural area. 

NATIONWIDE JOB OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment 
published by the Labor Market Information Division.

Estimated number of workers in 1993             6,950
Estimated number of workers in 2005             8,440
Projected Growth 1993-2005                        21%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005   2,150
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)

 

This occupation is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations in 
California. The existing supply of qualified workers generally meets the demand of 
qualified workers. Still, employers reported some difficulty recruiting qualified Dispensing 
Opticians in more rural area. 

Prescription lenses are curved in such a way that light is correctly focused onto the retina of the patient's eye, improving vision. Some ophthalmic laboratory technicians manufacture lenses for other optical instruments, such as telescopes and binoculars. Ophthalmic laboratory technicians cut, grind, edge, and finish lenses according to specifications provided by dispensing opticians, optometrists or ophthalmologists, and may insert lenses into frames to produce finished glasses.

Ophthalmic laboratory technicians should not be confused with workers in other vision care occupations. Ophthalmologists and optometrists are "eye doctors" who examine eyes, diagnose and treat vision problems, and prescribe corrective lenses. Ophthalmologists also perform eye surgery. Dispensing opticians, who may also do work described here, help patients select frames and lenses, and adjust finished eyeglasses.

Ophthalmic laboratory technicians read prescription specifications, then select standard glass or plastic lens blanks and mark them to indicate where the curves specified on the prescription should be ground. They place the lens into the lens grinder, set the dials for the prescribed curvature and start the machine. After a minute or so, the lens is ready to be "finished" by a machine which rotates it against a fine abrasive to grind it and smooth out rough edges. The lens is then placed in a polishing machine with an even finer abrasive, to polish it to a smooth, bright finish.

Next, the technician examines the lens through a lensometer, an instrument similar in shape to a microscope, to make sure the degree and placement of the curve is correct. The technician then cuts the lenses and bevels the edges to fit the frame, dips each lens into dye if the prescription calls for tinted or coated lenses, polishes the edges, and assembles the lenses and frame parts into a finished pair of glasses.

In small laboratories, technicians usually handle every phase of the operation. In large ones, technicians may specialize in one or more steps, assembly-line style.