Optician

Duties and Responsibilities: Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. 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.

Salary: $19,000 - $40,000

Education: Becoming an optician requires a high school diploma or an approved GED equivalent, followed by formal education and training or an apprenticeship.

Many opticians go to college for a two-year associate’s degree in optcianry, which involves coursework in basic anatomy, eye anatomy, algebra and trigonometry, optical physics and mathematics and administration. They also learn about precision measuring equipment and techniques and optical instrumentation. More advanced studies include classes on fitting contact lens and vision prosthetics.

Whether opticians study at a community college or university, it is recommended that students choose an optcianry program that is accredited by the Commission on Optcianry Accreditation, a nationally recognized professional board.

Reflection: I do not think I would like to be an optician. I don’t think I would want to be an optician because I saw that you need to be good at algebra and trigonometry, and I am not good in math.