Optician schools

This article examines optician schools and related job opportunities. An optician is a professional who is qualified to fill lens prescriptions.

Opticians receive training on procedures needed to fabricate glasses, verify prescriptions, mount lenses into frames, adjust glasses, and dispense prescription contact lenses. Students who are interested in working with optometrists and ophthalmologists in order to help people see better can enroll in an optician training program. Optician colleges prepare students for career in hospitals, medical offices, optical stores, ophthalmologist offices, optometrist offices, and department stores. They work alongside the ophthalmologist or optometrist. An ophthalmologist is a more senior position than that of an optician. They are licensed doctors that are qualified to diagnose eye disease, prescribe medications, and also carry out surgery. An optometrist is licensed to practice optometry, this involves carrying out eye examinations and prescribing eyewear. Depending upon the state, an optometrist may also be licensed to prescribe drugs.

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Optician Education and Training

If you want to help individuals with vision problems, first of all you will need to choose a training program from one of the many optician schools that have been established. An optician is a role different than that of an ophthalmologist or optometrist in so much that they are primarily called upon to draw up prescriptions relating to eyewear. It is also expected that opticians assist patients when it comes to testing their eyes and selecting suitable spectacles or contact lenses.

To take up a role as an optician, it is important to have a high school diploma and to attend optician school. The course of study can be a one or two year certificate program or an associate degree. The subjects covered during the training would include biology, physics, algebra, ophthalmic optics, geometrical optics, and geometry. It is also essential to become familiar with the correct operation of certain optical tools, machinery, and instruments.

Some optician courses may include: First Aid and emergency eye care, Anatomy and physiology of the eye, Ophthalmic procedures, Ophthalmic procedures, Optical machinery, Geometrical optics, Optical tools, Contact lens methods and procedures, Ophthalmic optics, Optical instruments, Ophthalmic lens finishing, and Ophthalmic dispensing. Additional optician courses include: Polarized lenses, Basic contact lenses, Gonioscopy, Contact tonometry, Cataracts, Pachymetry, and AMD prevention.

Optician Careers

Regulations that govern certification do vary depending upon the state. As a general rule, most employers would expect opticians to have achieved necessary certification even though there is no legal obligation. National certification exams are conducted by both the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) and the American Board of Opticians (ABO).

Certification is only valid for a period of three years, at which point the examination must be re-sat. An optician's job description would involve a range of daily duties. This can include taking the facial measurements of patients, customizing and adjusting frames, ensuring records are up to date and accurate, liaising with insurance companies, and tracking inventory and sales.

Specialized training would allow an optician to also fit artificial eyes, contact lenses, and affix coverings for damaged eyes. Most certified opticians find employment in medical offices and retail environments. There are full time and part time positions available.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

As modern life has developed a situation whereby people spend more time sat in front of computer monitors and TVs, it is expected that the demand for the services of opticians will continue to increase over the coming decade. Many of the eye conditions that are now common place are directly caused by the lifestyles that are now led.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the income for more than half of the opticians employed today ranges from $37,700 to $46,800, the top ten per cent, as of 2009, commanding an annual salary of more than $50,240. The actual income depends upon the type and size of the practice the individual is involved with as well as its location. If an optician has specialized skills, or undergone advanced training, the financial rewards are higher than the average. Graduates of optician schools chose to pursue a career as an ophthalmologist or optometrist with additional education.