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An optician at work

What can I visit an optician for?

A dispensing optician fits eyeglasses and contact lenses. They analyze and interpret prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists to determine which eyeglasses or contact lenses are best suited to the patient's lifestyle and visual needs.

The optician takes eye measurements to ensure proper lens placement in the eyeglasses' frame and verifies the accuracy of the finished product. They also may manufacture (grind) lenses from raw materials and cut them to fit into the frame. Before designing contact lenses, the optician evaluates the patient's eyes under a special microscope and measures the curvature of the eye. The optician instructs the patient in the care and handling of contact lenses.

A dispensing optician is not to be confused with an ophthalmic optician, commonly known as an optometrist.


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