optician

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optician

optician, filler of prescriptions for and dispenser of corrective lenses. An optician may grind lenses as instructed by the prescription of an optometrist (see optometry) or ophthalmologist (see ophthalmology) or transcribe the instructions for laboratory mechanics. The optician also fits and adjusts the lenses to the client and makes suggestions as to the selection of frames. Increasingly, opticians have taken over the task of fitting contact lenses as well as eyeglasses. Some states require that lab technicians and retail merchandisers be licensed opticians. Requirements may be met through academic training or through a laboratory apprenticeship.

optician

[äp′tish·ən]

(engineering)

A maker of optical instruments or lenses.

optician

a. a general name used to refer to ophthalmic optician, a person qualified to examine the eyes and prescribe and supply spectacles and contact lenses

b. a general name used to refer to dispensing optician, a person who supplies and fits spectacle frames but is not qualified to prescribe lenses

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

References in periodicals archive ?

The blushes of the ophthalmic opticians were only saved by the use of well-placed sight charts and optical props.

Opticians are quite an eyeful

Mr Elkan was a committee member of the British Optical Association and representative of the Welsh Committee of Ophthalmic Opticians.

New tree in memory of optician

Optometrists is the new name for ophthalmic opticians. It was changed to avoid confusion with dispensing opticians.

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As well as the four Technium companies, Ethos will house a number of other businesses including chartered surveyors Rowland Jones & Partners, ophthalmic opticians Stephen Jones and legal practice Angel Chambers.

New business Ethos beckons for Swansea Technium companies; Four firms move to new purpose-built pounds 7.5 building

What does a career as an optician involve Dispensing opticians make up prescriptions from optometrists (ophthalmic opticians) and ophthalmologists (eye surgeons).

JOBS ON THURSDAY: Have vision in your career; Careers as an optician

I suppose that when the title of 'optometrist' came into being after us being 'ophthalmic opticians,' the inference was that opticians without the ophthalmic prefix were dispensing opticians.