What You'll Do

  • Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
  • Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
  • Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
  • Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
  • Assemble eyeglass frames and attach shields, nose pads, and temple pieces, using pliers, screwdrivers, and drills.
  • Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
  • Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
  • Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.
  • Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
  • Set dials and start machines to polish lenses or hold lenses against rotating wheels to polish them manually.

Essential Skills

Operation and Control 3.25/5
Operations Monitoring 3.12/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.12/5
Time Management 3.12/5
Reading Comprehension 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Monitoring 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Active Listening 2.88/5
Speaking 2.88/5
Writing 2.75/5
Active Learning 2.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cooperation, Self-Control, Concern for Others

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Near Vision 3.75/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.62/5
Finger Dexterity 3.62/5
Manual Dexterity 3.5/5
Control Precision 3.5/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.38/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.25/5
Information Ordering 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

Electronic medical record EMR software Eyeglass design software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word SAP software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.66/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.35/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.22/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 3.91/5)
  • Concern for Others (High importance: 3.89/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Artificial Glass Eye Maker Artificial Plastic Eye Maker Bench Hand Benchroom Shop Optician Bevel Polisher Beveler Contact Lens Blocker Contact Lens Blocker and Cutter Contact Lens Cutter Contact Lens Lathe Operator Contact Lens Manufacturer Contact Lens Technician Cylinder Grinder Cylinder Worker Diamond Grinder Dotter Driller Edge Grinder Edger Edger Technician Eyeglass Assembler Eyeglass Cutter Eyeglass Lens Cutter Eyeglass Maker Finishing Lab Technician Glass Cutter Glass Frame Fitter Glass Silverer Hand Glass Cutter Hand Lens Polisher Hospital Laboratory Technician (Hospital Lab Technician) Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician) Lens Cementer Lens Coating Technician Lens Cutter Lens Dotter Lens Edger Lens Fabricating Machine Tender Lens Finisher Lens Generator Lens Grinder Lens Grinder and Polisher Lens Maker Lens Mold Setter Lens Mounter Lens Polisher Lens Shaper Grinder Lens Silverer Line Operator Ophthalmic Technician Optical Coating Technician Optical Element Coater Optical Goods Drill Operator Optical Goods Drilling Machine Operator Optical Goods Optician Optical Instrument Assembler Optical Lab Technician (Optical Laboratory Technician) Optical Laboratory Mechanic Optical Laboratory Specialist Optical Mechanic Optical Technician Optical Worker Optician Polisher Precision Lens Centerer and Edger Precision Lens Generator Precision Lens Grinder Precision Lens Polisher Precision Optical Goods Worker Prescription Eyeglass Maker Prism Measurer Spectacle Truer Spotter Surface Room Shop Optician Surface Technician Surfacer Surfacing Technician Test Technician