What Is An Optician?

An Optician is a vision expert; a health professional specially trained to supply, prepare, and dispense optical appliances through the interpretation of written prescriptions. An Optician is an integral part of the vision care experience that adheres to exacting standards in order to enhance your vision.

What is the difference between an Optician, Optometrist, and Ophthalmologist?

Optician: A professional in the field of finishing and fitting eyeglass lenses, frames, and contact lenses. An optician turns your doctor’s prescription into the glasses or contact lenses you need to make your vision the best it can be. An optician may also dispense low vision aids and artificial eyes.

Optometrist: A Doctor of Optometry is trained to examine eyes for vision problems and to diagnose and correct vision problems through eyeglasses, contact lenses, other optical aids or exercises. After an eye examination, an Optometrist provides a written prescription which you may take to your Optician.

Ophthalmologist: An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor, who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of eyes and related systems. An Ophthalmologist may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve vision or medicines or surgery to restore eye health. Ophthalmologists provide a written prescription after an eye examination which you may take to your Optician.

How to Become an Optician in Washington

 

Becoming an optician in the state of Washington can pave the way towards a bright future that is filled with job stability and competitive pay. There are a few different pathways that lead to this future in terms of training and on-the-job experience. Once that training is complete, Washington opticians can choose from a multitude of places to work as their skills are in demand in many different settings.

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To find out more on becoming a Washington Licensed Dispensing Optician please visit the Washington State Department of Health Information page.

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