How Does an Optician Spend a Workday?
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Eyeglass Duties
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The majority of the work an optician performs revolves around eyeglasses. During the eyeglass selection process, an optician obtains patient measurements for eyeglasses, assists patients with frame selection, educates patients on lens choices, provides recommendations on vision aids and places the eyeglass order. If the eyeglasses are manufactured on site, the optician may also participate in the manufacturing process by cutting or finishing the lenses, coating or tinting lenses and verifying manufacturing specifications. When eyeglasses are obtained from an outside laboratory, it is the duty of the optician to verify that the glasses have been made correctly, as well as to dispense and adjust the glasses to the patient. After the patient has the glasses, opticians spend time repairing broken lenses, performing routine eyeglass adjustments, and troubleshoot any issues a patient may have with their prescription. Opticians are also responsible for
keeping records of patient orders and working with outside vendors and doctors on an eyeglass order.
Contact Lens Responsibilities
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Many opticians also have responsibilities that involve working with contact lenses. Some opticians provide basic contact lens fitting under the direction of a physician, although these opticians are often specialized contact lens practitioners with additional education in contacts. In general, opticians are frequently in charge of ordering and dispensing contact lenses and maintaining the office inventory of fitting lenses. Patient contact lens education is a vital and time consuming task that is typically the job of an optician. Opticians spend a portion of their day describing how to insert, remove and clean contact lenses. Opticians also provide contact lens refills and may help patients with contact troubleshooting or contact lens emergencies.
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Other Functions
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Opticians have a wide range of duties. An optician may be in charge of inventory and therefore may spend a portion of the work day ordering, organizing and maintaining optical items, frames, lenses, contacts, accessories and medical supplies. Opticians may also have specialized functions that vary accordingly with their workplace. For example, if an optician is employed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist, they may aid the doctor with medical procedures, perform vision screening, triage patients, schedule appointments, conduct optical testing or even assist with minor surgery. Many opticians bill medical and optical insurance as part of their daily routine. A portion of their time is devoted to explaining benefits to patients, obtaining approval, billing insurance and following up on payments. Opticians also may perform a variety of standard office work such as filing, copying, answering phones, maintaining equipment and running reports.
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Resources
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