Opticians fit clients with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, assist clients in the selection of eyeglass frames, arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses and mount lenses in eyeglass frames. They are employed in optical retail outlets or other establishments with optical dispensing departments, or they may be self-employed. Student opticians and opticians who are managers of optical retail outlets are included in this group.
Opticians perform some or all of the following duties:
Obtain specifications for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a prescription prepared by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or by analyzing the client's eyeglasses or contact lenses and by measuring client's eye curvature, pupillary distance and bridge width, using optical measuring devices
Assist clients in selecting eyeglasses by advising on lens materials, frames, tints and anti-reflection coating
Advise on use and care of contact lenses
Arrange for grinding and polishing of lenses or grind and polish lenses
Cut and edge lenses and fit lenses into frames
Adjust finished eyeglasses to fit client
May supervise or manage the activities of other opticians or student opticians.
Employment Requirments:
Completion of a two- or three-year college program in ophthalmic dispensing, which includes an apprenticeship or Completion of an Optician's Guild twoyear ophthalmic dispensing correspondence course including practical experience is required.
Completion of an Optician's Guild two-year contact lens technician correspondence course may also be required for contact lens technicians.
Licensing by a regulatory body is required in all provinces.
Courtesy of: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada