An Optician, or Dispensing Optician, is responsible for helping customers achieve the right type of eyeglasses, lens shape or contact lenses in accordance with their eyesight or eye conditions. Their duties include communicating with other eye care professionals to receive prescriptions and send them to Laboratory Technicians, providing customers with frames to fit their prescriptions and maintaining accurate customer data regarding their current or updated prescriptions. Prior optical experience needed.

Optician Duties and Responsibilities

Opticians usually work as part of a team of eye care professionals that includes Ophthalmologists and Optometrists. Their customers are people who have had an eye exam and received a prescription for corrective lenses. Opticians need to have a thorough understanding of the different types of optical aids available, and their duties usually include:

• Interpreting the results of eye examinations, using prescriptions written by Optometrists and Ophthalmologists
• Advising patients on frame weights, materials, styles and colors
• Recommending lenses, coatings and frames to suit customers’ needs
• Adjusting frames so they fit properly
• Preparing orders for glasses by checking prescriptions, pupillary distant and segment heights.
• Making sure that orders for glasses and contact lenses have been processed accurately
• Excellent attention to detail, particularly for interpreting prescriptions and checking lenses with a manual lensometer
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical information clearly to customers
• Familiarity with optical products
• Insurance verification and filing.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Strong customer service skills

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