Optician/Technician Program
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Opticians fill eyewear prescriptions. Their training includes dispensing eyewear, selecting frames, taking facial measurements, and choosing the best lens style for the patient. They take the order written by the eye doctor, produce the lenses with the correct prescription, and shape the lenses to fit the frame.

Optometric technicians must know how to select, adjust, and dispense eyewear. They learn business procedures and may be responsible for managing the office. Generally, they work closely with the eye doctor as part of the eye care team. Tasks include testing or measuring visual acuity, color vision, depth perception, field of vision, and pressures within the eye. They teach contact lens patients to insert, remove, and care for their lenses.

The Job Market

Employment and Salary

Online Placement Service

URL: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/opttech/career.htm
Revised: January 24, 2006
IU Optometry home page: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/
Comments: Web Administrator
Page design and coding: Terri Greene
Copyright © 2006, The Trustees of Indiana University

The Job Market

Most opticians and optometric technicians are employed in the optical industry or by optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists. Graduates may also work for an optical laboratory or for a lens, frame, contact lens, or instrument company. The U.S. Department of Labor has listed this job category as excellent for the next several years.

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Employment and Salary

The demand for skilled personnel in the ophthalmic field is very high. Graduates consistently report high levels of satisfaction with the flexibility the profession offers.

According to a 2002 survey, 72% of graduates who responded work for an "eye doctor"--an optometrist, an ophthalmologist, or both in a group practice. These graduates averaged an annual salary of $31,354 based on a 40-hour week.

If all areas of ophthalmic employment are considered, the average salary of graduates was $46,517 with a number of alumni reporting significantly higher salaries.

IU Optician/Technician Program graduates reported the following:

  • 62% receive paid health insurance.
  • 82% receive paid vacation.
  • 76% receive holiday pay.
  • 94% report receiving free eye exams and ophthalmic materials (glasses, contacts) at cost.

Other benefits may include a uniform allowance and paid continuing education.

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