Description

Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters.

Interests

Realistic
Conventional

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

Support
Independence
Relationships

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cooperation
Self-Control
Concern for Others

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.

Work Activities

Getting Information
Controlling Machines and Processes
Handling and Moving Objects
Working with Computers
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Detailed Work Activities

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Technology Skills

Spreadsheet software
Presentation software
Medical software
Electronic mail software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Abilities

Near Vision
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Finger Dexterity
Control Precision
Manual Dexterity

Skills

Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Time Management
Critical Thinking

Knowledge

Production and Processing
Mathematics
Mechanical
Customer and Personal Service
Administration and Management

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

These are the certification(s) applicable to Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians:

Certificate name

Technician in Precision Optics

Certifying Organization

ETA International

Type

Core

Certificate name

Certified Eye Bank Technician

Certifying Organization

Eye Bank Association of America

Type

Core

Certificate name	Certifying Organization	Type
Technician in Precision Optics	ETA International	Core
Certified Eye Bank Technician	Eye Bank Association of America	Core

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income Percentile	Annual Income
Low (10%)	$37,816
Median (50%)	$39,968
High (90%)	$46,524

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).

Experience	Income
Entry Level	$44,375
Mid Level	N/A
Senior Level	N/A
Expert Level	N/A

Employability

There are currently 18,900 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 19,200 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 2%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of 2%

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Projected Job Growth

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Career Cluster(s)

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Career Cluster(s)

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Career Cluster(s)

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Career Cluster(s)

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The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.