Technicians prepare patients for exams. Perform receptionist duties, help patients with frame selections order lenses, and, teach proper care and use of contact lenses.
Assistants do somewhat of the same job except to a less complex and less extensive degree.
Job Outlook until the Year 2002 Employment prospects for qualified Optometric Technicians and Optometric Assistants are favorable, due to population growth, the increase in the proportion of older persons and a greater demand for vision care services. Opportunities for Optometric Technician are the greatest in the largest urban areas, where more optometrists are located and where there are more large-scale Optometric practices. Most job openings for Optometric Assistants will be filled with people without formal training. Optometric Technicians, for the most part, develop their skills through on-the job training by their employers. Requirements include Completion of school, or its equivalent, preferably including the courses in English, Math, Typing, and Bookkeeping.