National Occupation Code (NOC): 3231

Opticians fit clients with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, assist clients in the selection of eyeglass frames, arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses and mount lenses in eyeglass frames. They are employed in optical retail outlets or other establishments with optical dispensing departments, or they may be self-employed. Student opticians and opticians who are managers of optical retail outlets are included in this unit group.

Job Duties for Opticians

• Obtain specifications for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a prescription prepared by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or by analyzing the client's eyeglasses or contact lenses and by measuring client's eye curvature, pupillary distance and bridge width, using optical measuring devices
• Assist clients in selecting eyeglasses by advising on lens materials, frames, tints and anti-reflection coating
• Advise on use and care of contact lenses
• Arrange for grinding and polishing of lenses or grind and polish lenses
• Cut and edge lenses and fit lenses into frames
• Adjust finished eyeglasses to fit client
• May supervise or manage the activities of other opticians or student opticians.

Working Conditions for Opticians

Work is performed in physicians’ offices, health-care practices, medical laboratories, small stores or large optical chain stores with several other opticians.

Alternate Job Titles

• Apprentice Optician
• Contact Lens Dispenser
• Contact Lens Fitter
• Contact Lens Practitioner
• Contact Lens Technician
• Dispensing Optician
• Dispensing Optician Student
• Eyeglasses Fitter
• Eyeglasses Frame Fitter
• Intern Optician
• Licensed Contact Lens Practitioner
• Licensed Dispensing Optician
• Licensed Optician
• Managing Optician
• Ophthalmic Device Dispenser
• Ophthalmic Dispenser
• Optical Device Dispenser
• Optical Dispensing Manager
• Optical Frame Fitter
• Optician
• Optometric Dispenser
• Spectacle Frame Fitter
• Student Optician
• Visual Orthesis Technician
• Visual Orthotic Device Technician
• Apprentice Optician
• Contact Lens Dispenser
• Contact Lens Fitter
• Contact Lens Practitioner
• Contact Lens Technician
• Dispensing Optician
• Dispensing Optician Student
• Eyeglasses Fitter
• Eyeglasses Frame Fitter
• Intern Optician
• Licensed Contact Lens Practitioner
• Licensed Dispensing Optician
• Licensed Optician
• Managing Optician
• Ophthalmic Device Dispenser
• Ophthalmic Dispenser
• Optical Device Dispenser
• Optical Dispensing Manager
• Optical Frame Fitter
• Optician
• Optometric Dispenser
• Spectacle Frame Fitter
• Student Optician
• Visual Orthesis Technician
• Visual Orthotic Device Technician
• Specialist, Low Vision