Optician

From Free net encyclopedia

An optician is an individual who makes and adjusts optical aids.

1 Eyecare opticians
2 Scientific equipment opticians
- 2.1 Telescope opticians
- 2.2 Microscope opticians
3 See also
4 External links

Eyecare opticians

An optician is an eye care professional who provides lenses for the correction of vision defects. The lenses may be contact lenses, or held in a frame in front of the eye, rarely as a monocle or most frequently as a pair of glasses, also known as spectacles or eyeglasses. The main optical properties of the lenses are specified from a refraction prescription supplied by a person qualified to measure visual defects and write an appropriate corrective prescription. The licensing and nomenclature of such persons varies from country to country.

In the United States, an optician, through testing, may be certified by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) to fill the prescription ordered by an ophthalmologist or optometrist [1]. In some states (Oregon for one) licensing is not a requirement to make or dispense eyewear. Many eye doctors do their own dispensing, and it is frequent for eye clinics to have an optician on their premises; or, conversely, for large optical chains to have optometrists in offices on their premises.

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Education in the USA

Some opticians learn their skills through formal training programs. Professional technical schools and two-year colleges offer programs in opticianry. Two-year programs usually grant an associate's degree. One-year programs offer a certificate. Training usually includes courses in optical math, optical physics, and tools and equipment use. [2]

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United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, opticians are categorized as either Ophthalmic Opticians (also known as Optometrists) or Dispensing Opticians. An Ophthalmic Optician carries out a sight test to determine the patients prescription and checks the health of the eyes. A Dispensing Optician uses the prescription obtained in the sight test and provides glasses (similar to an Optometrist in the U.S.).

With regard to the fitting of contact lenses. An up to date sight test prescription is needed to fit contact lenses. All Ophthalmic Opticians can fit contact lenses and some Dispensing Opticians who have specifically trained in this area can also fit contact lenses.

To become an ophthalmic optician you need to obtain a degree in Optometry and then you need to do one years apprenticeship.

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