Median annual earnings of dispensing opticians were $25,600 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $19,960 and $33,530. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $16,310, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $43,490. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of dispensing opticians in 2002 were as follows:
| Offices of physicians | $28,250 |
| Health and personal care stores | 25,860 |
| Offices of other health practitioners | 24,900 |
Dispensing opticians fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. (The work of optometrists is described in a statement elsewhere in the Handbook. See the statement on physicians and surgeons for information about ophthalmologists.)
Dispensing opticians examine written prescriptions to determine the specifications of lenses. 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 surface and the lens. For customers without prescriptions, dispensing opticians may use a lensometer to record eyeglass measurements. 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 prescriptions for lenses and information on their 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 the shape and size of the eye, 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. Opticians do all this to ensure that the fit is correct.
Dispensing opticians keep records on customers' prescriptions, work orders, and payments; track inventory and sales; and perform other administrative duties.
.Employment of dispensing opticians is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2012 as demand grows for corrective lenses. The number of middle-aged and elderly persons is projected to increase rapidly. Middle age is a time when many individuals use corrective lenses for the first time, and elderly persons generally require more vision care than others.
Fashion, too, influences demand. Frames come in a growing variety of styles and colors—encouraging people to buy more than one pair. Demand also is expected to grow in response to the availability of new technologies that improve the quality and look of corrective lenses, such as antireflective coatings and bifocal lenses without the line that is visible in old-style bifocals. Improvements in bifocal, extended-wear, and disposable contact lenses also will spur demand.
The need to replace those who leave the occupation will result in additional job openings. Nevertheless, the number of job openings will be limited because the occupation is small. Dispensing opticians are vulnerable to changes in the business cycle, because eyewear purchases often can be deferred for a time.
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Employers usually hire individuals with no background as an optician or those who have worked as ophthalmic laboratory technicians. The employers then provide the required training. (See the statement on ophthalmic laboratory technicians elsewhere in the Handbook.) Most dispensing opticians receive training on the job or through apprenticeships lasting 2 or more years. Some employers, however, seek people with postsecondary training in the field.
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. Dispensing opticians deal directly with the public, so they should be tactful, pleasant, and communicate well. Manual dexterity and the ability to do precision work are essential.
Large employers usually offer structured apprenticeship programs; small employers provide more informal, on-the-job training. In the 21 States that require dispensing opticians to be licensed, individuals without postsecondary training work from 2 to 4 years as apprentices. Apprenticeship or formal training is offered in most 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 training in the field is offered in community colleges and a few colleges and universities. In 2002, the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation accredited 22 programs that awarded 2-year associate degrees. There also are shorter programs of 1 year or less. Some States that offer a license to 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 (ABO) and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) for certification of their skills. Certification must be renewed every 3 years through continuing education. Those licensed in States where licensing renewal requirements include continuing education credits may use proof of their renewed State license to meet the recertification requirements of the ABO. Likewise, the NCLE will accept proof of renewal from any State that has contact lens requirements.
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.
.Other workers who deal with customers and perform delicate work include jewelers and precious stone and metal workers, locksmiths and safe repairers, orthotists and prosthetists, and precision instrument and equipment repairers.
For general information about opticians and a list of home-study programs, seminars, and review materials, contact:
For a list of accredited programs in opticianry, contact:
To learn about voluntary certification for opticians who fit eyeglasses, as well as a list of State licensing boards for opticians, contact:
For information on voluntary certification for dispensing opticians who fit contact lenses, contact:
Employment of dispensing opticians is expected to increase as fast as the average for all occupations through 2008 as demand grows for corrective lenses. Nature of the Work Dispensing opticians fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. For customers without prescriptions, dispensing opticians may use a lensometer to record the present eyeglass prescription. They may work in medical offices or small stores where customers are served one at a time, or in large stores where several dispensing opticians serve a number of customers at once. Some employers, however, seek people with postsecondary training in opticianry.
Summary of: http://guide.symplicity.com/resources/profession_article.php?id=129
Part-time work is quite common. Nature of Work Dispensing opticians use ophthalmologist or optometrist prescriptions to fit customers with eyeglasses and contact lenses. They provide instruction about adapting to, wearing or caring for eyeglasses and contacts. Employment Dispensing opticians held about 71,000 jobs in 1998 in the United States and approximately 3,450 jobs in Pennsylvania. Dispensing opticians can expect about 15 openings due to growth and about 45 replacement openings for approximately 60 total annual openings.
Summary of: http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=140&q=191964
Projected employment growth reflects steady demand for corrective lenses and eyeglass frames that are in fashion. (The work of optometrists is described in a statement elsewhere in the Handbook. Dispensing opticians measure clients' eyes, including the distance between the centers of the pupils and the distance between the surface and the lens. For customers without prescriptions, dispensing opticians may use a lensometer to record eyeglass measurements. They may work in medical offices or small stores where customers are served one at a time.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos098.htm
Dispensing opticians interpret eye doctors' prescriptions and prepare accurate work orders for the ophthalmic labs where lenses are created. Dispensing opticians may specialize in fitting contacts lenses, artificial eyes, or cosmetic shells, which cover blind and disfigured eyes. Fitting eyewear requires a sense of style and an ability to think mathematically. Make High School Count Make the most of your math and science courses -- especially physics, biology, algebra, and geometry. Sign up for mechanical drawing.
Summary of: http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/careers/105540.html
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. Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.
Summary of: http://www.lunch-money.com/Careers/Overview/29-2081.00.aspx
They prepare work orders and instructions for making lenses and eyeglasses. Work ActivitiesThe following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay. Professional technical schools and two-year colleges offer programs in opticianry.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100143
Assist client with selecting frames. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Summary of: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/29-2081.00
They are skilled professionals who specialize in filling prescriptions for eyeglasses, contact lenses and low visual aids. The Dispensing Optician Program is offered on a full-time basis during the Fall and Winter Semesters. This program offers educational preparation at both the certificate (one-year) and diploma (two-year) levels. The program's first year provides you with essential skills required in the profession; studies include optics, anatomy, physiology and eye condition. You will gain knowledge required in the retail workplace, such as business management, interpersonal communications and practical writing.
Summary of: http://www.douglas.bc.ca/calhtm/programs/pdop.htm
Projected employment growth reflects steady demand for corrective lenses and eyeglass frames that are in fashion. (The work of optometrists is described in a statement elsewhere in the Handbook. Dispensing opticians measure clients' eyes, including the distance between the centers of the pupils and the distance between the surface and the lens. For customers without prescriptions, dispensing opticians may use a lensometer to record eyeglass measurements. They may work in medical offices or small stores where customers are served one at a time.
Summary of: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos098.htm