Vision therapy may be used to correct amblyopia, strabismus, visual
perception, reading disorders, poor eye coordination, and poor visual
acuity, which can affect an individuals quality of life. Vision is
extremely important in education, work, and play because more than 80
percent of learning is visual. Studies have shown that good vision
improves the production and morale of workers and that athletic
performance is enhanced when vision problems are corrected. Vision care
personnel are vital to industry, public health, recreation, highway
safety, education, and the community. They work to promote the prevention
of eye injury and disease and the maintenance of good health and vision.
Ophthalmic Technologist
Ophthalmic Technologists are specialists in the eye health care
team. They assist ophthalmologists by collecting data and testing
measurements to ensure the accurate diagnosis and treatment of a diseased
eye.
Work Activities
- Using sophisticated equipment and techniques to gather information
about a patient's condition during eye examinations
- Assisting with eye surgery, using microscopic and intricate
technical instruments
- Explaining diagnosis and treatment procedures to the patient
- Interacting with other eye health care professionals to ensure
optimum patient care
Career Specialties
Ophthalmic technology lends itself to various avenues of specialization,
including ophthalmic photography, ophthalmic ultrasonography, contact
lenses, ophthalmic surgical technology, electrophysiology, and low-vision
optics. Within the clinical setting, Ophthalmic Technologists may
specialize in pediatric, general, or gerontologic ophthalmology.
Work Settings
Ophthalmic Technologists generally are employed by ophthalmologists'
private practices, clinics, or hospitals. They often develop a one-to-one
relationship with the patient, and they may be required to examine
diseased eyes and participate in surgical procedures.
Special Requirements
Students who complete two years of college (60 college credits) are
eligible to apply to a two-year ophthalmic technology clinical program.
Upon graduation, students take a written examination for certification,
offered by the Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in
Ophthalmology, and a national oral practical examination. If both tests
are passed, the candidate will be recognized as a Certified Ophthalmic
Medical Technologist.
Educational Institutions
No program information is available.
See Sources of More Information
Optical Laboratory Technician
Optical Laboratory Technicians, also called Optical
Mechanics, set up and operate machines to cut, grind, and polish
lenses according to prescriptions.
Work Activities
- Reading the lens and frame specifications from prescriptions
- Selecting proper lens blanks
- Marking lens blanks according to specifications using lens-
measuring equipment
- Mounting lenses in metal, plastic, or rimless frames
- Inspecting mounted lenses for conformance to specifications
- Making necessary modifications to lenses
- Examining broken lenses to identify original prescriptions
Career Specialties
Optical Laboratory Technicians may specialize, with the scope of their
duties varying according to the size and type of establishment where they
work. In large laboratories, Technicians may specialize in one phase or
operation. In small labs, they may work in all or most of the specialty
areas.
Lay-Out Technicians locate and mark centers, axes, and terminal points on
lens blanks, draw reference lines, and write specifications to guide
other workers who surface or finish lenses.
Precision-Lens Centerers and Edgers operate grinders to edge and bevel
lenses according to work orders and blueprints. They measure lens edges
using precision measuring instruments.
Precision-Lens Generators set up and operate machines to grind eyeglass
lens blanks to a specified curvature and thickness.
Drillers tend bench-mounted, single-spindle drill presses that bore holes
in lenses for the attachment of ear and nose pieces.
Hand-Lens Polishers use lathes, jewelers rouge, polishing cloths, and
other polishing devices to finish or remove defects from lenses.
Handblockers and Deblockers attach and remove lens blanks from metal
blocks used to hold the blanks during grinding and polishing operations.
Contact Lens Lathe Operators use jewelers lathes to cut the inside or
outside curvature in the contact lens blanks.
Optical Laboratory Technicians may also grind lenses for telescopes,
microscopes, and other optical equipment.
Work Settings
Most Optical Laboratory Technicians work in optical laboratories under
the direction of lab supervisors. Others work for dispensing opticians,
ophthalmologists, or optometrists. Although they may work with others,
Technicians perform much of their work independently.
Modern optical processing techniques have eliminated unpleasant odors and
dust from optical labs. However, noise from power grinding machines and
other equipment is to be expected. Goggles are worn to protect eyes.
Educational Institutions
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute(C)
Did you Know?
The number of opticians is projected to grow by 39% nationally. This in
response to the rising demand for corrective lenses as the population ages.
Optician
Opticians design, order, and adjust eyeglasses and contact lenses
for patients whose eyesight has been tested by a physician
(ophthalmologist) or an optometrist.
Work Activities
- Analyzing and interpreting a written optical prescription (from the
examining doctor) to determine the lens specifications required
- Measuring the customers facial features
- Assisting the customer in selecting the style and color of eyeglass
frames and lenses by advising them of the size and shape best suited to
both their facial features and their optical prescription
- Preparing a work order that gives an optical laboratory the
information needed to fabricate lenses and to mount lenses in frames
- Verifying that the finished lenses are exact by checking the power
and surface quality with special optical instruments
- Adjusting finished eyeglasses to fit the customer by heating and
shaping plastic frames, or by bending metal frames using pliers
- Instructing customers in the care of eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Performing follow-up services, such as fixing broken frames,
replacing temple screws, and adjusting and refitting glasses
In some shops, Opticians may mount lenses in frames. They may sell
optical goods, such as binoculars, cameras, sunglasses, magnifying
glasses, and low-vision aids.
Career Specialties
Contact Lens Opticians, or Contact Lens Technicians, order and fit
contact lenses. They prepare a work order similar to that for eyeglasses,
except that measurements for the corneas of the customers eyes are
included. They instruct customers on inserting, removing, and caring for
the lenses. They may make minor adjustments to finished lenses for a more
comfortable fit.
Spectacles Adjusters specialize in fitting and adjusting frames.
Some Opticians specialize in the fitting of cosmetic shells to cover
blemished eyes or in the fitting of prostheses (artificial eyes).
Work Settings
Opticians may work for owners or managers of retail optical outlets, for
ophthalmologists or optometrists who sell glasses directly to patients,
or for supervisors in eye clinics and hospitals. Opticians usually
perform their work indepen- dently and spend most of their time dealing
directly with the public.
Special Requirements>
Opticians are usually required to have at least a high school
diploma ( or GED equivalent) and they may be required to have additional
education and training.
Educational Institutions
No program information is available.
Optometric Assistant and Optometric Technician
Optometric Assistants and Optometric Technicians, sometimes
called Paraoptometrics, perform a combination of tasks to assist the
optometrist in eye examinations and corrective procedures.
Work Activities
- Obtaining and recording the patients preliminary case history
- Maintaining records, schedules, and announcements
- Preparing the patient for the vision examination
- Assisting with various eye tests
- Instructing the patient in the care and use of glasses or contact lenses
- Working with the patient in vision therapy
- Assisting the patient in frame selection
- Adjusting and repairing glasses or contact lenses
- Maintaining an inventory of materials and cleaning the instruments
- Helping to make eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Performing general and ocular test procedures
Career Specialties
Paraoptometrics may perform all or some of the tasks listed above, or
they may specialize in chairside assistance, visual training, or office
administration.
Work Settings
Optometric Assistants and Optometric Technicians are supervised by an
optometrist. They work in optometrists' offices with other optometric
professionals, and few hazards are associated with the job.
Special Requirements
To become an Optometric Assistant requires one year of formal study.
Optometric Technicians earn an associate degree after two years of study.
Educational Institutions
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute(C)
Optometrist
Optometrists, or Doctors of Optometry, help people preserve and
improve their vision by examining, diagnosing, and treating conditions of
the vision system.
Work Activities
- Examining, diagnosing, and treating conditions of eyes and related
structures of the human vision system to enhance visual performance and
efficiency and to diagnose and treat eye diseases and other abnormalities
- Diagnosing and treating patients with visual pathology or
ocular-related diseases, and referring patients in need of surgery to
other medical practitioners
- Diagnosing and treating the cause of defects in the human vision system
- Examining the vision system for proper depth and color perception
- Analyzing the patients ability to focus and coordinate eye movement
- Measuring peripheral (side) vision
- Prescribing corrective procedures, such as the use of lenses,
prisms, and exercises, or other forms of vision therapy
- Administering diagnostic pharmaceutical agents to examine the human
vision system for pathology or other abnormalities
- Administering and prescribing ocular-related therapeutic
pharmaceutical agents to treat diseases of the eye and related structures
- Prescribing and dispensing eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Providing examination and treatment services related to occupational
and sports vision, low-vision (partially sighted) services,
vision-related learning disabilities, and pediatric and geriatric vision care
Career Specialties
Optometrists may specialize in treating the elderly or in treating
children with visually-related learning problems. Some work to
rehabilitate the partially sighted who can be helped with microscopic or
telescopic lenses. Others specialize in the visual safety of industrial
workers or in environmental vision care. Optometrists may perform vision
training or vision therapy. Also, they may specialize in prescribing and
fitting contact lenses.
Some Optometrists become specialists by earning a masters or doctoral
degree in such programs as physiological optics, neurophysiology, public
health administration, health information and communication, or health
education.
They also may conduct research, teach at a college or university, act as
a consultant, or work in the public health field.
Work Settings
Optometrists may be employed by universities, optical manufacturers,
governmental health agencies, or hospitals. Most Optometrists are
self-employed and practice alone. Others are in partnerships or in group
practices with other Optometrists or health professionals as part of a
health care team. Optometrists may direct the work of optometric
technicians, optometric assistants and/or receptionists. Most optometric
care is provided in a professional office atmosphere. The work is
relatively hazard-free.
Special Requirements
To become licensed in New Mexico as an Optometrist, an applicant must
receive a doctor of optometry degree from an accredited school or college
of optometry, pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry
examination, submit an application as specified by the New Mexico Board
of Optometry, and pass a New Mexico Board of Optometry practical and
jurisprudence examination. Separate examinations are required to be
certified to administer or prescribe diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents.
The most common requirements for entering an optometry program are
completing pre-professional courses at an accredited college or
university, taking the Optometry College Admission Test (OCAT), and
completing application forms. Student selection is based on high school,
college, and pre-professional course grades, academic aptitude, OCAT
results, recommendations, and personal interviews.
Educational Institutions
No program information is available.
See Sources of More Information
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