Optician Certification Training

Job Outlook for Opticians

The World Health Organization predicts that 3.36 billion people worldwide will be nearsighted by 2030, an increase of 29% over the number of nearsighted people in 2020. In the U.S. alone, myopia (nearsightedness) rates have soared over the past 50 years, from 25% in 1971 to nearly 42% in 2017, according to the National Eye Institute. The condition called presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness, has also increased in case volume as it is most prevalent in our growing aging population.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median salary for opticians is $44,170, with top professionals in this field making over $69,900 per year—making now a great time to get your optician certification online.

By 2033, it is projected that there will be an average of 7,400 job openings for opticians each year. Many of these openings will arise from the need to replace workers who either change careers or leave the workforce, such as through retirement.

Optician   FAQ’s

What is an optician? What does an optician do?

Opticians use data from prescriptions made by optometrists or ophthalmologists to help patients and customers fit glasses or contact lenses. They may take measurements of the ocular area, recommend appropriate frames or contact lenses and help fit and adjust frames or lenses as needed.

Is certification necessary for opticians?

Many U.S. states require certification for opticians. In those that do not, many clinics, eye health facilities and professionals require certification as a condition of optician employment. ABO certification generally meets both requirements. However, we do recommend researching the state requirements prior to pursuing a career as an optician.

Does this course prepare me for a certification?

Yes, you will be prepared to take the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Basic certification exams – Opticianry Certification Exam (NOCE) and Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE).

How does this course prepare me to become an optician?

By taking this optician training course, you will learn how to read prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, become familiar with the equipment opticians use, and gain an understanding of eye anatomy and eye diseases. You will also learn various office responsibilities within an optometrist’s office, including bookkeeping, tracking inventory and sales, and maintaining customer records (including payments and prescriptions).

After completing this course, you will be fully prepared to begin a career as an optician and have the skills and knowledge to advance as an optical manager in this popular and exciting medical field.

What does the ABO exam involve?

The ABO exam covers ophthalmic science and a combination of ocular anatomy, principles of ophthalmic products and instruments, dispensing procedures and legal considerations for opticians.

What skills are important for opticians?

Opticians need to be able to read and fill prescriptions, calculate formulas, use ophthalmic equipment, keep up with eyewear styles and trends, relate to patients, and understand human eyes and the difficulties and diseases they encounter.

Course Objectives

• Learn how to understand and assign prescriptions to customers
• Develop an understanding of the human eye and how it functions
• Review the different corrective eye care solutions available for patients
• Understand how various prisms and lenses work
• Prepare to take the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) exams