Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Human Advantage 64%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4.2 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
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.
Also Known As: Artificial Glass Eye Maker, Artificial Plastic Eye Maker, Bench Hand, Benchroom Shop Optician, Bevel Polisher, Beveler, Contact Lens Blocker, Contact Lens Blocker and Cutter +70 more
Core Tasks
- Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
- Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
- Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
- Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
- Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
- Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
- Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
- Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
- Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
- Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.
- Position and adjust cutting tools to specified curvature, dimensions, and depth of cut.
- Assemble eyeglass frames and attach shields, nose pads, and temple pieces, using pliers, screwdrivers, and drills.
- Set dials and start machines to polish lenses or hold lenses against rotating wheels to polish them manually.
- Repair broken parts, using precision hand tools and soldering irons.
Supplemental Tasks (4)
- Immerse eyeglass frames in solutions to harden, soften, or dye frames.
- Lay out lenses and trace lens outlines on glass, using templates.
- Control equipment that coats lenses to alter their reflective qualities.
- Remove lenses from molds and separate lenses in containers for further processing or storage.
Emerging Tasks
New and evolving responsibilities for this role:
- Tint lenses according to customer specifications.
Education & Training
Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
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.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (8)
Tools & Equipment (74)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Physical Health Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 2
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