According to the Florida Department of Labor just over 2,000 opticians were employed in Florida at the beginning of the 1990s, and the number is expected to grow to 3100 licensed opticians by the end of the century. Sixty percent of the population requires eyewear or contact lenses. Employment in this occupation is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations throughout the year 2005 in response to rising demand for corrective lenses. The number of middle aged and elderly persons is projected to increase rapidly. Fashion, too, influences demand.
Frames come in a variety of styles and colors, encouraging people to buy more than one pair.
Finally, demand is expected to grow in response to products such as special lens treatments, photochromic lenses that are now available in plastic, and contact lenses. The Opticianry programs prepare students for a variety of career paths in the rapidly expanding vision care field. The following is a list of colleges that offer courses in ophthalmic dispensing. Broward Community College Vision Care Technology Opticianry 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd.