Stories you may like
An optician works at the exciting juncture of health and fashion. These skilled professionals, also known as dispensing opticians, prepare prescription eyeglass lenses, help customers choose eyeglass frames and tailor the frames to customers’ unique facial measurements. When customers need contact lenses instead, opticians adjust the fit of the lenses to the eyes.
An important part of an optician’s job is to make sure that customers are comfortable enough with their new eyeglass frames (or contact lenses) to wear them as prescribed. During consultations, an optician considers the type of lenses as well as the context in which a customer will use them (for example at a construction site versus an office cubicle) to make a recommendation well suited to the individual's lifestyle.
In many ways, a dispensing optician's job is analogous to that of a pharmacist who dispenses drugs based on prescriptions written by physicians. Although opticians do not write prescriptions for lenses, they must understand the science and reasoning behind them.
To be an optician is to make life easier, safer and more comfortable for the many people who require prescriptive lenses, from child to new parent to senior citizen.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Becoming an optician requires degree or diploma courses in Ophthalmic technology.
To practice as a optometrist it is essential to have a Bachelor's degree in Optometry (Bachelor of Clinical Optometry) (B.Optom). Eligibility for B.Optom course is Higher Secondary Examination (10+2 course) or it's equivalent with minimum 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Mathematics and English, from a recognised board and the age limit is 17 years as on 31st December. Candidates satisfying the eligibility requirement for the B.Optom course have to appear for the EYECET examination. The EYECET exam is the centralised, combined, entrance test for entry into optometry courses, which is universally recognised all over the country.
SKILL REQUIREMENTS
- An optician is a client-facing role. You will be dealing with the general public so it is important you have good inter-personal skills.
- An eye for detail, colour co-ordination and style is imperative to help people make the right choice about something that may become a near permanent fixture on their face (spectacles).
- Confidence in working with specialist and technical equipment. Precise measurements and tests are the mainstay in an optician's working life.
- A good grasp of mathematics is vital, as you will be working with complex measurements and figures and be expected to perform conversions with these.
- Managerial skills are important if you wish to advance in your career.
- Good business sense is essential if you are working in a privately owned practice.
JOB MARKET
The healthcare business is booming. In fact, it’s slated to grow faster than any other professional area from 2014 to 2024. Eye care is a prominent subset of the healthcare industry, and the three primary occupations within this field – optician, optometrist, and ophthalmologist – all boast similarly bright outlooks.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual wage for an optician is $36,260. However, salaries range from around $21,510 to $55,160 and more. Jobs at surgical hospitals pay more than most walk-in eye care stores. Salary varies geographically as well.
There are many job opportunities for licensed opticians. Employment of opticians is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2012 to 2022 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. These professionals may find employment with optometrists, ophthalmologists, eye care centers or department stores. Keeping up to date with industry changes and new product developments will give opticians an edge in the job market. Certification will also offer an advantage when applying for jobs.
User's Comments
No comments there.