An optician is a health care professional who analyzes and interprets eyewear prescriptions. Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in all Opticianry courses to remain in and graduate from this program. Many will work for ophthalmologists or optometrists who also sell glasses to patients.
Opticians work in hospitals and eye clinics.
Many work for chains, such as Wal-Mart, which have optical departments that feature the full service of an eye examination, along with the fitting of glasses. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of opticians should increase by 36 percent between now and the year 2005. A growing population and an increasing number of middle-aged and elderly people will require vision care and corrective lenses. The program has also been recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration of Dispensing Opticians. The state recognition also allows the graduates of the associate degree program to subsitute their degree for the complete three year apprenticeship requirement for state licensure.