AHEC Connecticut
VISION CARE - Optician
To be a successful Optician you should...
- have good eye/hand coordination
- be tactful, pleasant, and communicate well
- be able to see details and slight differences
- have excellent listening skills
- have the ability to be accurate using numbers in calculations
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What will my job be like?
Opticians order, prepare, and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses for patients, based on a prescription from an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. Opticians grind lenses and shape them to fit an eyeglass frame and adjust the finished product to the customer. They help their customers select the best eyewear in terms of comfort, usefulness, and appearance. Opticians also repair eyewear and replace lost or damaged lenses or parts.
Where could I work?
About 50 percent of opticians work for ophthalmologists or optometrists who sell glasses directly to patients.
Most dispensing opticians work a 40-hour week, although some work longer hours. Those in retail stores may work evenings and weekends. Some work part time.
Other workplace settings:
- Retail Stores
What is the average annual salary?
$44,922
What is the future of this career?
Employment in this occupation is expected to increase as fast as the average through 2014, as demand grows for corrective lenses. Demand is also expected to grow in response to the availability of new technologies that improve the quality and look of corrective lenses.
What type of education and/or training do I need?
Training requirements vary by state with a high percentage of Connecticut opticians receiving 2-year associate degrees. Some dispensing opticians receive on-the-job training or apprenticeships lasting two to four years under a licensed optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist.
Where can I get the education and/or training?
- Middlesex Community College, Middletown
Do I need a license or certification for this career?
Licensure is required in the State of Connecticut. Prerequisite: Four years of approved apprenticeship or an associate's degree in Opthalmic Dispensing from an approved school; American Board of Opticianry's National Opticianry Competency Examination; National Contact Lens Examination; Connecticut Practical Examination.
Where can I get more information?
Opticians Association of America
7023 Little River Turnpike, Suite 207
Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 916-8856
www.opticians.org
National Academy of Opticianry
8401 Corporate Drive. Suite 605
Landover, MD 20785
(800) 229-4828
www.nao.org