The Non-cl inical

Eye Care

Employment

Option

OPTICAL TECHNICIAN

Someone who works in a lens lab

Operates and maintains equipment

Loads blank lenses into machines

Supervises the cutting and polishing of lenses

Mounts finished lenses into frames

Attaches nose pads and temple pieces

Ensures that orders have been completed properly

WHAT IS AN OPTICAL TECHNICIAN?

Generally in large manufacturing facilities

May be found in small independent labs

Eye care offices used to have their own in-house

lens laboratories but have gradually shifted to

sending work orders out to large manufacturing

facilities or specialty labs in order to reduce costs

and improve efficiency.

WHERE DO THEY WORK?

High school diploma or GED

Generally does not require a college degree

May need to complete in-house training

Can vary between employers

Contact employers to learn more

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Between $25,000 and $35,000 per year

Depends on several factors

Experience

Skill

Responsibilities

Type of Employer

Geographic Location

EARNING POTENTIAL

Faster than the average of all other

occupations

Strong for all professions in the eye care

industry

Related to increased demand for eye care and

eye wear

Growing population and aging demographics

GROWTH PROJECTIONS

Become involved in industry organizations

Talk to experienced technicians

Take advantage of job shadowing

Volunteer

Demonstrate a commitment to the profession

Acquire formal education and training

RECOMMENDATIONS

Optical Technician

http://www.opticiantraining.org/

SOURCES