Optician

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An optician is an individual who makes and adjusts optical aids.

Contents

[edit] Eyecare opticians

An optician is an eye care professional who provides lenses for the correction of vision defects. The lenses may be contact lenses, or held in a frame in front of the eye, rarely as a monocle or most frequently as a pair of glasses, also known as spectacles or eyeglasses. The main optical properties of the lenses are specified from a refraction prescription supplied by a person qualified to measure visual defects and write an appropriate corrective prescription. The licensing and nomenclature of such persons varies from country to country.

[edit] United States

In the United States, an optician, through testing, may be certified by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) to fill the prescription ordered by an ophthalmologist or optometrist [1]. In some states (Oregon for one) licensing is not a requirement to make or dispense eyewear. Many eye doctors do their own dispensing, and it is frequent for eye clinics to have an optician on their premises; or, conversely, for large optical chains to have optometrists in offices on their premises.

Some opticians learn their skills through formal training programs. Professional technical schools and two-year colleges offer programs in opticianry. Two-year programs usually grant an associate's degree. One-year programs offer a certificate. Training usually includes courses in optical math, optical physics, and tools and equipment use. [2] Other opticians can apprentice to learn the required skills. Many formal education programs will accept hours worked as an apprentice to supplement or replace course credits, as well.

[edit] United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, opticians are categorized as either ophthalmic opticians (known professionally as optometrists) or dispensing opticians. An optometrist carries out an eye examination to determine the patient's prescription and checks the health of the eyes. A dispensing optician uses the prescription obtained in the sight test and provides glasses.

With regard to the fitting of contact lenses. An up to date sight test prescription is needed to fit contact lenses. All ophthalmic opticians can fit contact lenses and some dispensing opticians who have specifically trained in this area can also fit contact lenses.

To become an ophthalmic optician a person must obtain a degree in optometry followed by one year of apprenticeship.

[edit] Canada

The Registered (or licensed) Optician is part of Canada’s health-care industry and its members have expertise, training, and formal education in determining a patient’s ophthalmic needs. Simply, an optician is to the optical industry as a pharmacist is to the medical field — opticians make recommendations, offer advise, problem solve where needed, and in general consult with the patient regarding their visual requirements. Spectacle or contact lens dispensing may be based on:

a) a new prescription generated by an optometrist or ophthalmologist,
b) a ‘sight-test’ performed by a qualified individual, or
c) through duplication of the patient’s current eyewear prescription.

Analyzing the needs and making appropriate recommendations to fulfill the public’s eyewear and contact lens requirements are perhaps the most important functions of an optician. In Canada, spectacles or contact lenses must be fitted and dispensed by an optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist; internet sales of such products are illegal.

[edit] Canadian optical organizations

[edit] Provincial regulatory organizations

Each Canadian province has its own regulatory College or Board that provides registration or licensure to its Opticians. The Regulatory body (often known as a ‘College’ but separate from, and not to be confused with, an educational institute) has a government mandate to protect the public. This includes enforcement of provincial statutes (Opticians Act) and public awareness campaigns.

National Association of Canadian Opticianry Regulators (NACOR)
NACOR is an organization comprised of all the provincial opticianry regulatory bodies in Canada (except Quebec). NACOR also administers Canada’s national opticianry examination(s). Since 2001, all jurisdictions (except Quebec) have agreed to and signed, the Mutual Recognition Agreement among Opticianry Regulators that ensures labour mobility to all opticians across the entire nation without need for further examination. The complete list of Canada’s provincial regulatory bodies can be found at NACOR


Canada’s National Opticianry Examinations
All provinces (with the exception of Quebec) require individuals to achieve a passing mark in a national practical examination as a requirement of licensure as an optician.

[edit] Provincial associations

Most Canadian provinces have their own provincial opticianry associations that look after the interests of their members at the provincial level, such as advocacy. Some provincial associations have a dual role or purpose, and also serve as opticianry regulators for that province.

In addition to protecting their member’s interests, provincial associations also undertake public interest initiatives such as providing Vision Screening for children in schools, or organizing professional development seminars.

Opticians Association of Canada (OAC)
Established in 1989, this national organization is comprised of all provincial Opticianry Associations in Canada and looks after the various interests of opticians on a national basis. The OAC also offers/ administers the NAIT Optical Science education programs in most of Canada. Prior to 1989, the Canadian Guild of Ophthalmic Dispensers fulfilled the role of the OAC. A list of member Associations may be found at Opticians Association of Canada

[edit] Opticianry education in Canada

All opticians in Canada are required to complete formal training and education in opticianry and then must pass competency examinations prior to receiving governmental licensure. Some provinces (Ontario and Quebec) require a single optician’s license that includes both the dispensing of eyeglasses and contact lenses, while the other provinces have two (2) separate licenses, (one each for eyeglasses and contact lens dispensing).

[edit] Opticianry programs and schools

There are several schools in Canada offering a wide range of programs for the education of Canada’s opticians. Various full-time and part-time opticianry programs are available in Canada and they range from formal classroom instruction, to apprenticeship-like training, to on-line instruction:

  • Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)– Canada-wide
  • Douglas College– Vancouver, BC
  • BC College of Optics– Vancouver, BC
  • Georgian College– Barrie, ON
  • Seneca College– Toronto, ON

[edit] Opticians Council of Canada (OCC)

This ‘umbrella organization’ was formed in 2000; its membership is comprised of the:

  1. Opticians Association of Canada (OAC) and all its constituent members
  2. National Association for Canadian Opticianry Regulators (NACOR) and all its members (but for Quebec)
  3. Opticianry Educators Committee (OEC), which is comprised of all Canadian opticianry schools (except for Quebec)

Mission/ Mandate/Objectives of the OCC:

Mission: To foster and advance the profession of Opticianry as vision care providers in Canada to mutually benefit the public’s well being.

Mandate: The Opticians Council of Canada is the strategic alliance for Opticianry, providing a forum where the leaders of national opticianry organizations can discuss issues that affect all opticians, and plan strategically using the strengths of each. It is anticipated that by utilizing each groups’ strong points and input that opticianry will be able to move forward in a unified way on many fronts.

Objectives:

-To provide one voice and promote the Opticianry profession and industry in Canada.

-To collaborate for improving the quality and understanding of regulation and education in order to enhance public awareness and quality services.

-To provide a forum for ongoing and thorough communication of licensure, education and regulation issues.

The OCC typically convenes twice yearly to address the present and future concerns of the Canadian Optician, whatever the subject; policy is drafted and agreed to, after which — as a single, cohesive voice — Canada’s Registered Opticians may have a significant impact on their industry, as well as the healthcare system.

[edit] Famous opticians

[edit] Scientific equipment opticians

An optician is also an individual who makes and adjusts other optical aids, including telescope optics and microscope lenses.

[edit] Telescope opticians

See also Timeline of telescope technology and List of astronomical instrument makers

[edit] Microscope opticians

See also Timeline of microscope technology

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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