A professional fitting of eye glasses and frames

Growing understanding of the key benefits of eye care and frequent eye maintenance will surely develop large optician employment opportunities. Health care campaigns inform the people about the advantages of frequent eye check-ups, especially for anyone over the age of 65. Somewhat reducing the need for regular visit to the opticians will be vision correction via laser surgery. People who take advantage of the laser surgery will not require corrective lenses for up to 5 years, though there will be need for regular examinations with eye care specialists.

Optical laboratory technicians also known as optical mechanics develop spectacle lenses in accordance with prescriptions issued by ophthalmologists and optometrists. Certified optician training courses in Maryland train the candidates to work with the special grinding machines that are used to cut, grind and polish lenses according to the specifications given by the eye surgeons. These optical mechanics make different types of lenses used in sophisticated optical instruments such as telescopes, microscopes, refractors, and projectors.

Vocational programs will include comprehensive courses in physiology and pathology of the eye, examination, diagnostics, CPR, medical office administration and computer skills. Potential ophthalmic technicians are prepared for the responsibilities of recording patient histories, maintaining patient charts, customer service, adjusting and repairing frames and eyeglasses, and prescription verification.

The opticians work with the ophthalmologists to make and fill the prescriptions that the patients require. Depending on the severity of the visual disorder in the patients, the treatment may differ. One of the biggest responsibilities for an ophthalmologist technician is to help create the lenses. This means milling, shaping and inspecting those prescriptions will be required. The optician working conditions in the clinics are good and comfortable.

The topics covered in the courses offered by the optical training schools include reading and correctly interpreting prescriptions, preparing spectacles as prescribed and the use of appropriate optical instruments. Optician work in general also includes assessing a patient's compatibility for contact lenses, preparing the lens and doing the fitting, providing the necessary information on correct usage, care and maintenance and follow-up procedures.