2. OverviewOverview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – ResourcesPreparationDay in the LifeEarningsEmploymentCareer Path ForecastResources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.Sloan Career Cornerstone Center Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

3. Overview: Ophthalmic laboratory technicians -- also known as manufacturing opticians, optical mechanics, or optical goods workers -- make prescription eyeglass or contact lenses. Prescription lenses are curved in such a way that light is correctly focused onto the retina of the patient's eye, improving his or her vision. Some ophthalmic laboratory technicians manufacture lenses for other optical instruments, such as telescopes and binoculars. OverviewOverview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – ResourcesPreparationDay in the LifeEarningsEmploymentCareer Path ForecastResources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.Sloan Career Cornerstone Center

4. Preparation: Most ophthalmic laboratory technicians learn their craft on the job; however, many employers prefer to hire those with formal training. A few ophthalmic laboratory technicians learn their trade in the Armed Forces or in the few programs in optical technology offered by vocational-technical institutes or trade schools. OverviewOverview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – ResourcesPreparationDay in the LifeEarningsEmploymentCareer Path ForecastResources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.Sloan Career Cornerstone Center Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

5. Preparation (continued): These programs have classes in optical theory, surfacing and lens finishing, and the reading and applying of prescriptions. Programs vary in length from 6 months to 1 year and award certificates or diplomas. The Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA), a not-for-profit agency, that accredits ophthalmic laboratory technology programs in the United States. A list of all accredited programs is available on the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.Sloan Career Cornerstone Center OverviewOverview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – ResourcesPreparationDay in the LifeEarningsEmploymentCareer Path ForecastResources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.Sloan Career Cornerstone Center Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

6. Day in the Life: Ophthalmic laboratory technicians generally work in clean, well-lighted, and well-ventilated laboratories. They have limited contact with the public. Salaried laboratory technicians usually work 40 hours a week, but some work part time. At times, technicians wear goggles to protect their eyes, gloves to handle hot objects, or masks to avoid inhaling dust. They may spend a great deal of time standing. OverviewOverview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – ResourcesPreparationDay in the LifeEarningsEmploymentCareer Path ForecastResources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.Sloan Career Cornerstone Center Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

7. Earnings: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages of wage and salary ophthalmic laboratory technicians is $27,210. The middle 50 percent earned between $21,580 and $34,810. The lowest 10% earned less than $18,080, and the highest 10% earned more than $42,890. Median annual wages were $25,250 in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing and $25,580 in health and personal care stores, the two industries that employ the most ophthalmic laboratory technicians. OverviewOverview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – ResourcesPreparationDay in the LifeEarningsEmploymentCareer Path ForecastResources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.Sloan Career Cornerstone Center Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

8. Employment: Ophthalmic laboratory technicians hold about 35,200 jobs in the United States. About 55 percent of salaried jobs were in medical equipment and supply manufacturing laboratories, which usually are small, privately owned businesses with fewer than 5 employees. However, some laboratories are large; a few employ more than 1,000 workers. OverviewOverview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – ResourcesPreparationDay in the LifeEarningsEmploymentCareer Path ForecastResources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.Sloan Career Cornerstone Center Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

9. Career Path Forecast: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, ophthalmic laboratory technicians are expected to experience employment growth of 15 percent from 2008 - 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. Demographic trends make it likely that many more Americans will need vision care in the years ahead. However, the increasing use of automated machinery will temper job growth for ophthalmic laboratory technicians. OverviewOverview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – ResourcesPreparationDay in the LifeEarningsEmploymentCareer Path ForecastResources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.Sloan Career Cornerstone Center Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

10. Resources: More information about Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician is available at the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, including accredited university programs, suggestions for precollege students, a free monthly careers newsletter, and a PDF summarizing the field.Ophthalmic Laboratory TechnicianSloan Career Cornerstone Center accredited university programsprecollege studentsnewsletterPDF summarizing the field Associations:  Commission on Opticianry AccreditationCommission on Opticianry Accreditation  Contact Lens Society of AmericaContact Lens Society of America  Optical Laboratories AssociationOptical Laboratories Association OverviewOverview – Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – ResourcesPreparationDay in the LifeEarningsEmploymentCareer Path ForecastResources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.Sloan Career Cornerstone Center Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician