Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Go Back to List Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Medical software

Tasks
	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.

Skills
	Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
	Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
	Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Knowledge
	Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
	Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

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Education & Training   Education:   These occupations usually require a high school diploma.   Related Experience:   Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $57,286.00 $27.54  $20.83  $22.76 - $32.55  Bridgeport/Stamford $53,961.00 $25.95  $21.03  $20.25 - $24.67  New Haven $62,465.00 $30.03  $22.19  $23.44 - $32.85

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   47   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow faster than average, but the number of annual openings will offer somewhat limited job opportunities.

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.