They measure, fit, and adapt eyeglasses and contact lenses to people with vision problems. Students also gain skills in professional management, eyewear fabrication and dispensing.
Opticians work in a variety of settings and working conditions.
Opticians who prefer larger retail stores have the flexibility to work full or part time. There are three licensed professions that a potential student can focus on and all these areas have specific training and job descriptions. The optician's functions include prescription analysis and interpretation, determination of the lens and frame forms best suited to the wearer's needs, the preparation and delivery of work orders for the surfacing of lenses and the fabrication of eyewear, the verification of the finished ophthalmic products and the adjustment, replacement, repair and reproduction of previously prepared ophthalmic lenses, frames and other devices. Opticians are licensed in 28 states, including Florida. After obtaining a B.A. degree, optometrists pursue an additional four year degree involving specialized classroom and clinical training in all phases of functional vision care, optics and eye health.