Skip navigation

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians - 51-9083.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Lab Technician
  • Optical Technician
  • Surfacing Technician
  • Finishing Lab Technician
  • Lens Grinder and Polisher
  • Optical Lab Technician
  • Grinder
  • Edger Technician
  • Line Operator
  • Polisher

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000 Production Occupations
51-9000 Other Production Occupations
51-9080 Medical, Dental, and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
51-9083.00 Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
  • Assemble eyeglass frames and attach shields, nose pads, and temple pieces, using pliers, screwdrivers, and drills.
  • Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
  • Control equipment that coats lenses to alter their reflective qualities.
  • Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
  • Immerse eyeglass frames in solutions to harden, soften, or dye frames.
  • Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
  • Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
  • Lay out lenses and trace lens outlines on glass, using templates.
  • Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
  • Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
  • Position and adjust cutting tools to specified curvature, dimensions, and depth of cut.
  • Remove lenses from molds and separate lenses in containers for further processing or storage.
  • Repair broken parts, using precision hand tools and soldering irons.
  • Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.
  • Set dials and start machines to polish lenses or hold lenses against rotating wheels to polish them manually.
  • Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
  • Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.

Detailed Work Activities

  • adjust production equipment/machinery setup
  • attach or mark identification onto products or containers
  • cut or grind optical lenses
  • examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
  • fabricate components for precision instruments
  • fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
  • lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects
  • load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
  • load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
  • maintain production or work records
  • make independent judgment in assembly procedures
  • measure, weigh, or count products or materials
  • mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
  • monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
  • operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery
  • operate optical manufacturing equipment
  • operate paint or coating application production machinery
  • perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
  • plan or organize work
  • read blueprints
  • read specifications
  • read technical drawings
  • read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
  • set up production equipment or machinery
  • solder metal parts or components together
  • test manufactured products or materials
  • understand machine setup instructions
  • understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
  • use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
  • use hand or power tools
  • use precision measuring tools or equipment
  • use soldering equipment
  • use spray paint equipment

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Optical Laboratory Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Optician (Navy - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Blocker and Cutter, Contact Lens
  • Lay-Out Technician
  • Optical-Instrument Assembler
  • Optician
  • Precision-Lens Grinder
  • Shop Optician, Benchroom
  • Shop Optician, Surface Room

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Blocker and Cutter, Contact Lens
  • Eyeglass-Lens Cutter
  • Glass Cutter, Hand
  • Lathe Operator, Contact Lens
  • Lay-Out Technician
  • Lens Mounter II
  • Lens Polisher, Hand
  • Lens-Mold Setter
  • Optical-Element Coater
  • Optical-Instrument Assembler
  • Optician
  • Optician Apprentice
  • Precision-Lens Centerer and Edger
  • Precision-Lens Generator
  • Precision-Lens Grinder
  • Precision-Lens Polisher
  • Precision-Lens-Grinder Apprentice
  • Shop Optician, Benchroom
  • Shop Optician, Surface Room