Optical Technician

Optical Technician

Job Description:

Optical technicians help fit people with eyeglasses, following the prescriptions given by their optometrist or ophthalmologist. They consider a person's facial features, occupation, and hobbies to assist them in choosing the best eyeglass frames, lenses, and lens coatings to fit their needs. When the glasses are made, they reshape the frames to fit a patient's face. Optical Technicians also repair and adjust frames. Additionally, they instruct patients on the proper use and care of their glasses. Duties can also include performing administrative duties, such as keeping records of payments, inventory, sales, and work orders.

Upon completion of extensive training, applicant should be able to perform the skills for below listed responsibilities.

Job Responsibilities:

• Establish rapport with the patient.
• Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with patients’ needs.
• Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit the patient's vocational needs and visual requirements.
• Sell goods (spectacles, sunglasses) and other eye products.
• Assist patients in selecting frames and ensure frames coordinate with facial and eye measurements and written optical prescriptions.
• Measure the patient’s pupillary distance, optical center, and multifocal heights using appropriate devices.
• Heat, shape, or bend plastic or metal frames to adjust frames to fit the patient, using appropriate tools and devices.
• Determine the patient’s current lens prescription using a lensometer.
• Set up and operate equipment for blocking, tracing, and edging prescription lenses (finishing lab equipment).
• Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames using tools.
• Assemble eyeglass frames (nose pads, temples) using tools.
• Maintain electronic records with the industry software program of patients’ prescriptions, lab orders, and payments.
• Instruct patients on how to wear and care for eyewear.
• Evaluate and compare prescriptions of new and old eyewear.
• Prepare lab orders for ordering uncut and progressive lenses.
• Order and purchase inventory, frames, and stock lenses.

• Repair damaged frames (i.e. restring rimless frames).
• Demonstrate product performance, applicability, Pros, and Cons.
• Track inventory, sales, and reorders of top sellers.
• Operate finishing lab equipment.
• Understand ophthalmic diagnosis and procedure coding.
• Frame board management: arrange and maintain displays.
• Process customer payments. Maintain price and product lists.
• Determine patient eligibility and understand vision benefits.
• Reinforce eye care Orientation to contact Quality Control: verify and final inspect finished lenses according to ANSI standards.
• Comply with optical prescriptions: Interpret and coordinate frames and eye measurements following the customer’s optical prescriptions.
• Cut lenses for eyeglasses: Shape and cut lenses to fit into frames for eyeglasses, according to prescriptions or specifications.
• Conduct repair activities on eyewear, such as calibration, alignment, and adjustments or replacement of frames, lenses, and other parts.
• Order optical supplies: Order optical equipment and materials, paying attention to the price, quality, and suitability of the supplies.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Sell optical products, i.e, glasses, sunglasses, other eye-related products, according to customer’s needs.
• Operate precision measuring equipment.
• Perform technical tasks.
• Operate optical equipment.
• Work within professional and legal boundaries, understand conduct oneself in a professional and ethical.