Dispensing Optician

Also known as:

Optician, Dispensing

Introduction

Dispensing opticians supply, fit and sell glasses and contact lenses to a prescription provided by an optometrist (ophthalmic optician). They do not perform eye tests, but give advice to clients on the best type of glasses for their particular need.

Back to Top

Work Activities

Dispensing opticians supply and fit spectacles according to the prescription provided by an optometrist (ophthalmic optician). They measure the face and features of the patient precisely, in order to place the lenses at the right angle and ensure that the spectacle frame is comfortable and stable. They then prepare detailed instructions for the technicians who make the lenses.

If any external sign of injury, abnormality or disease of the eye is spotted, dispensing opticians have an obligation to refer the patient to a doctor or optometrist for further attention.

Dispensing opticians advise clients on the choice of spectacles, which may involve aspects such as colour vision, problems of lighting and eye safety in industry. They must know enough about the relative merits of glass, plastic, laminated, coated and reinforced lenses, to help the client choose a lens appropriate to their needs (bearing in mind their job and leisure interests). They must also understand how lenses are made and the theory underlying the prescription.

Some experienced dispensing opticians specialise in the dispensing of contact lenses, optical aids for the partially sighted, or the fitting of artificial eyes.

Back to Top

Personal Qualities and Skills

You need to enjoy working with people from all backgrounds and be able to communicate sensitively with them. You also need a scientific, methodical approach to your work. You should be willing to promote sales to customers and be able to develop administrative and managerial skills.

Back to Top

Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Dispensing opticians earn in the range of £16,000 - £25,000 a year, rising to around £30,000 a year depending on responsibilities.

Dispensing opticians usually work a basic 35-hour week. Saturday working and some late finishes may be required.

Employers throughout the UK include hospital eye clinics, dispensing opticians' practices, prescription houses, frame and lens manufacturers, ophthalmic instrument manufacturers and suppliers.

Dispensing opticians may also work as sales representatives, or become self-employed in their own practice.

Back to Top

Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don't have the qualifications needed for entry to a degree in ophthalmic dispensing, you might be able to start one after completing an Access course, eg, Access to Science. You don't usually need any qualifications to start an Access course but you should check this with the course provider.

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) has its own Access Courses for people who don't have the minimum entry requirements for its professional examinations.

It is possible to take a distance learning course run by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) while you are employed by a qualified optician. The course takes three years to complete, with the third year counting as the pre-registration year.

• 11% of dispensing opticians are self-employed.
• 16% work part-time.

Self-employment is increasing, with new businesses starting up.

Back to Top