The demand will arise from the need for corrective lenses for middle-age and older workers and the emergence of eyeglasses as a fashion item. Job opportunities are expected to be good in retail optical chains. Technicians Prosthetic Technicians Instrument Repairers Career Advancement Ophthalmic laboratory technicians begin as trainees. Initially, they are given simple tasks such as marking the lenses and then they progress to more difficult tasks like lens cutting and eyeglass assembly. Depending on the person's aptitude, it may take 6 to 18 months to become proficient in all phases of the work.
Technicians can become supervisors and managers.
Advancement to dispensing optician is possible with additional education.