What is an optician, and when should you see one?
A licensed optician is a technician who has been trained to design, provide and “fit” corrective lenses for vision care patients using prescriptions provided by their eye doctors. Many opticians are primarily involved with the customer service portion of an eye care center, though some may work in various medical settings as well.
Unlike an ophthalmologist or optometrist, an optician does not write prescriptions or diagnose eye conditions. They do, however, use the prescriptions provided by an ophthalmologist or optometrist to help fit a patient for corrective lenses including eyeglasses and contact lenses.
What does an optician do?
The responsibilities of an optician primarily revolve around making sure a patient is fitted with the proper eyewear, including recommending styles and features, taking measurements and providing other customer service.
More specific duties of an optician include:
Ensuring prescriptions are a match to eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses
Using special equipment to measure patients’ pupillary distance, vertex distance, eye size and temple length
Maintaining records of patient purchases and payments
Submitting vision insurance information for patients and advising them on what insurance will cover for eyewear
Advising patients on eyewear features such as lens coatings and frame styles to fit their individual needs, preferences and personal style
Selling additional retail for eyewear and eyewear accessories