Choosing a pair of glasses involves way more than picking your favorite designer frame. The Optician takes care of those additional needs for you, making certain that the frames you like work with the lenses you need and the proportion of your face. Proper fit ensures patient comfort and can be as important as the size, color and shape of the frame. In addition, the glass lenses must be ground, polished, measured, surfaced, finished, inspected, mounted, and adjusted. These professionals make prescription glasses and contact lenses according to the specifications of optometrists or ophthalmologists.
High school graduates may complete either a two-year associate degree program at a community college or a one-year certificate program to become an optician. The curriculum includes academic course work and a clinical practicum. An individual may also complete a three-year apprenticeship to become a licensed optician.