Opticians


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.

Related news articles
Opticians' €50m is one in the eye for taxman - 16 Oct 2006
Unison.ie,The issue relates to the dispensing of glasses and contact lenses. The final price of a pair of glasses includes charges for the service of the optician. ...

Small traders worrying big - 16 Oct 2006
Times of India,He is now uncertain of his future — so are Ashok Kumar Sharma, a chemist, Gulab Hussain, a tailor, and Rakesh Kumar, an optician, who made their submission ...

JUST FOR THE RECORD.. DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? - Oct 15, 2006
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City optician’s mercy mission - Oct 13, 2006
York Press,By Sam Southgate. AN OPTICIAN from York is preparing to fly to Africa to help thousands of people regain their sight. Ruth Perrott ...

Optician cheques in with guide dog cash - Oct 6, 2006
News Shopper,...sighted. Gravesend optician Blair Hunter took to the sky to raise £1,200 for the Guide Dogs For the Blind Association (GDFTBA). ...

Chinese doctor's whim opens optician's eyes - Sep 20, 2006
Vancouver Sun (subscription),...to a Windsor, Ont., optical store two months ago may lead to improvements in eyewear technology in China and new business opportunities for a local optician. ...

New optician will have lots of competition - Sep 25, 2006
Winnipeg Free Press (subscription),By Larry Kusch. A new chain of optical stores is invading an already highly competitive Winnipeg market with plans to launch up to a dozen outlets. ...

Seven-month waits for eye tests as GPs don't see solution - Oct 13, 2006
Scotsman,THOUSANDS of patients are facing waits of up to seven months to see a hospital eye specialist because GPs are failing to refer them to their local optician. ...

The Ophthalmic Goods and Services Market is Forecast to Show ... - Oct 13, 2006
Business Wire (press release),Specsavers has continued to enhance its position as the UK's leading optician and other chains, such as Optical Express and Scrivens, have expanded their ...

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Deseret News,...joined the Libertarians in 2000. He's a full-time optician, part-time emergency coordinator for the city of St. George, owns a small ...

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International News Service,...listen to my problems. The optician is very good at solving problems," he says referring to one of his residents. When, Peru really ...

Eye Center holds ribbon-cutting - Oct 15, 2006
Evening Observer,Health Care Center. Additionally, a full service optician center will be available on site five days per week. For more information ...

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News-Review,An optician who has spent the past several years as a stay-at-home dad, Taylor knows the odds are long for him to defeat Krieger, the incumbent Republican ...

Uganda: 300,000 Ugandans Are Blind - Oct 13, 2006
AllAfrica.com,While a visit to an optician and the use of spectacles or contact lenses could make a world of difference to them and millions of others the world over, they ...

ISRAEL: Arab villages want equal compensation - Oct 11, 2006
Reuters AlertNet,Now it's almost impossible to carry on," said optician Abeer Shehada, a middle aged Arab-Israeli. "I live in Jesh, just a few kilometres from Lebanon. ...

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TimesCommunity.com,...five thousand dollars.". Wood, an optician, has raised about $10,000 so far, mostly from people within the district. Nigam said his ...

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Independent,Arms were not added until the 18th century, in Paris. In 1727, the English optician Edward Scarlett extended the arms to fit over the ears. ...

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Kayak & Canoe News,...try soft lenses (pref disposable ones so it doesn't matter too much if you do happen lose one), you can usually get a few trial pairs from your optician to see ...

Owner has vision for optic store - Oct 12, 2006
Chelmsford Independent,Italy. He earned his optician's license in 1978 and completed his master's certificate in optical dispensing in 1991. Alternative ...

Bibliografia do artykułu Briena Holdena - Oct 9, 2006
Świat Okularów,Optom Vis Sci. 2005;82:467-472. 2. Morgan P, Brennan NA. The decay of Dk? Optician 2004;227(5937):27-33. 3. Efron N, Brennan NA. How much oxygen? ...






More information on Opticians from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Overview of Opticians occupation
Number of Opticians in the U.S.
Salary and earnings for Opticians
Working conditions for Opticians
Significant points for Opticians
Training requirements for Opticians




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