An optician is a licensed professional responsible for dispensing spectacles or contact lenses for correcting defective vision problems. An optician is not to be confused with an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Although all of these positions work in the field of optometry, the jobs are very different.
An ophthalmologist is a trained physician dealing with all kinds of problems relating to the human eye beginning with diagnosis and culminating with treatment or surgery as required; an optometrist is one level below an ophthalmologist. They are trained and licensed to conduct eye exams and prescribe corrective glasses or lenses. They also prescribe medicine and perform minor surgery, depending on the state where the optometrist is based.
An optician on the other hand is licensed only to fill prescriptions and sell eye wear in general. In fact, an optician’s job is similar to that of a pharmacist, who dispenses drugs based on prescriptions written by physicians or sells over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, which may not require a prescription, but a certain amount of knowledge about pharmaceuticals. These tips will help you learn the requirements that opticians need to begin work. You’ll also get a better understanding of what’s involved in optician jobs.
Job Description
- Recommend different types of corrective vision equipment depending on the degree of correction required and patient preferences. For example, eyeglasses made of glass or plastic with varying thickness, soft or hard contact lenses, etc.
- Prepare glasses or lenses following the prescription values provided, take the appropriate facial measurements to find the right eyeglass frame, or modify a frame chosen by the patient.
- Provide advice on cleaning, care and maintenance of spectacles and contact lenses.
Education and Training
This is not a job that requires a lot of formal education, but requirements do vary from state to state depending on licensing regulations. Basic education requirements are a high school diploma or any approved GED equivalent, followed by a period of training—formal or as an apprenticeship.
Formal optician training involves earning a certificate, diploma or an associate degree in opticianry, followed by completion of certification issued by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE).
The apprenticeship path requires a 2-4 year period of on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed optician, followed by certification as mentioned above.
Certification
The ABO and NCLE provide national-level certification for opticians at different levels as follows:
Basic Certification
There are two exams, one for glasses and the other for contact lenses, which need to be cleared for receiving ABO and NCLE basic certification. These are: (a) National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE); and (b) Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE).
The examinations consist of 125 multiple-choice questions, which must be completed within 2.5 hours each. Candidates must be 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or equivalent GED.
The topics covered include reading and correctly interpreting prescriptions, preparing spectacles as prescribed and the use of appropriate optical instruments (for NOCE). For the CLRE, the topics include assessing a patient’s compatibility or fit for contact lenses, preparing the lens and doing the fitting, providing the necessary information on correct usage, care and maintenance and follow-up procedures.
Advanced Certification
The eligibility criteria for receiving Advanced Certification (AC) are as follows:
- Hold current and valid ABO and NCLE basic certification;
- Meet the prescribed work experience criteria;
- Complete the prescribed curriculum; and
- Complete the final exams with a passing score.
Renewing Certification
Both the basic and advanced certificates are valid for a period of three years and must be renewed before the expiration period. Renewal of certification is dependent upon completing a specified number of Continuing Education Credits (CEC) from courses approved by ABO and NCLE and paying the prescribed renewal fees.
Once you have gained the necessary certification, you may need to get a license to practice, depending on the state where you will be employed. Currently, around 21 states have licensing requirements in addition to the certification described above. As a certified optician, you have the choice of working for an optical company or opening your own optician’s store.
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How to Become an Optician
Though a career as an optician is not directly related to a medical job, it is believed to have more job security, less impact of any kind of global financial crises, and a respectable salary. Normally, many people get confused regarding the work profiles of an ophthalmologist, optometrist and an optician. Note that an ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who is responsible for diagnosing and treating complications related to the eyes. An optometrist is not a physician; but he is qualified to practice optometry, carry out vision tests, and suggest the use of appropriate glasses and contact lenses to clients. An optician helps clients choose right kind of glasses and contacts, and suggests frames that will look good on the face of his clients. Before taking a look at the optician's salary range, let us first get to know in brief about the optician job description.
