Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician)
Optical Lab Technician (Optical Laboratory Technician)
Optical Technician
Surfacing Technician

Alternate Job Titles

Artificial Glass Eye Maker
Artificial Plastic Eye Maker
Bench Hand
Benchroom Shop Optician
Bevel Polisher
Beveler
Contact Lens Blocker
Contact Lens Blocker and Cutter
Contact Lens Cutter
Contact Lens Lathe Operator
Contact Lens Manufacturer
Contact Lens Technician
Cylinder Grinder
Cylinder Worker
Diamond Grinder

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

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.
Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

Tint lenses according to customer specifications.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

Production and Processing

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Near Vision
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Finger Dexterity
Manual Dexterity
Control Precision
Deductive Reasoning
Problem Sensitivity
Selective Attention
Visualization
Information Ordering

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cautiousness
Perseverance
Integrity

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Support
Relationships
Independence
Working Conditions
Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word
SAP software

Tools & Equipment

3-way screwdrivers
Angling pliers
Argon lasers
Ball cutters
Bench polishers
Bent post pliers
Carbon dioxide CO2 lasers
Chipping pliers
Corneal topographers
Cutting pliers
Deblocking pliers
Diagnostic retinoscopes
Drill presses
Edge polishers
Electric soldering kits

Work Environment

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Time Pressure
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$31,250
Median	$38,420
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$55,480

Workers Employed Nationally: 18,740