Office of Continuing Education

Due to an aging population and emerging technologies in vision correction and options in eyewear, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects robust opportunities for opticians. It expects job growth for opticians to expand by 7% between now and 2028, faster than average growth for all jobs.

Opticians earned $37,840 on average for 2019, according to BLS data. PayScale.com notes that top opticians earn over $52,000 in pay and associated bonuses.

Opticians overwhelmingly enjoy their work. Among 10,000 employees in more than 200 jobs surveyed by Business Insider, only opticians scored a 100% job satisfaction rate. The survey results noted that opticians incur less stress and enjoy the results of their work more than other professions.

WHAT DO OPTICIANS DO?

Opticians use data from prescriptions made by Optometrists or Ophthalmologists to help patients and customers fit glasses or contact lenses. They may take measurements of the ocular area, recommend appropriate frames or contact lenses and help fit and adjust frames or lenses as needed.

IS CERTIFICATION NECESSARY FOR OPTICIANS?

Many US states require certification for opticians. In those that do not, many clinics, eye health facilities and professionals require certification as a condition of optician employment. ABO certification generally meets both requirements. However, we do recommend researching the state requirements prior to pursuing a career as an optician.

WHAT DOES THE ABO EXAM INVOLVE?

The ABO exam covers ophthalmic science and a combination of ocular anatomy, principles of ophthalmic products and instruments, dispensing procedures and legal considerations for opticians.

WHAT SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT FOR OPTICIANS?

Opticians need to be able to read and fill prescriptions, calculate formulas, use ophthalmic equipment, keep up with eyewear styles and trends, relate to patients, and understand human eyes and the difficulties and diseases they encounter.

Prepare to take and pass the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) exam

Learn how to understand and assign prescriptions to customers

Develop an understanding of the human eye and its functions

Understand corrective eye care solutions available for patients

Learn how prisms and lenses work

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, a high school diploma or GED is required to take the ABO exam.

WHAT IS AN OPTICIAN?

THE PARTS OF THE EYE

REFRACTIVE ERRORS

STRABISMUS AND AMBLYOPIA

OTHER COMMON OCULAR CONDITIONS

FRAME BASICS

FRAME STYLING

ALIGNING FRAMES

ADJUSTING FRAMES

A QUICK LOOK AT LIGHT

READING A PRESCRIPTION

MORE ABOUT PRESCRIPTIONS AND LENS TYPES

LENS MATERIALS

PRISM BASICS

FRESNEL PRISMS

OPTICAL EFFECTS OF LENS CURVATURE

MULTIFOCAL LENS CONSIDERATIONS

THE MANUAL LENSOMETER

MORE ABOUT OPTICIANRY MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS

SIMPLE MATH AND ALGEBRA

SOFT CONTACT LENSES

GAS-PERMEABLE CONTACT LENSES

LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND ETHICS

PREPARING FOR THE ABO EXAM

Dr. Beverly Smith

Dr. Beverly Smith is a Doctor of Optometry and has been in private practice for more than 24 years. She also holds a Master of Business Administration and founded a consulting firm that helps new practitioners start and manage their own eye care practices. Throughout her career, Smith has taught many future opticians, certified paraoptometrics, and fellow optometrists. Her work has been published in the professional journals New O.D. and Women in Optometry.