Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Ophthalmic laboratory technicians can advance as they gain experience and technical skills. They may become supervisors or managers or assist in the training of newer technicians. With additional training and education, many technicians become dispensing opticians. Dispensing opticians are responsible for measuring and fitting customers with eyeglass frames and contact lenses, reading customers' prescriptions for lenses, and preparing work orders for the ophthalmic laboratory technicians who will fabricate the lenses.

Some technicians who gain extensive experience in laboratory dispensing and the managerial aspects of ophthalmic laboratory work start businesses of their own.