More information from O*NET OnLine:

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

Edger Technician
Finishing Lab Technician
Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician)
Lens Grinder and Polisher
Line Operator

Optical Lab Technician (Optical Laboratory Technician)
Optical Technician
Polisher
Surfacing Technician

SOC Occupation Groups

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

Related Occupations

49-9061.00	Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers
51-2061.00	Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
51-4033.00	Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4034.00	Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4035.00	Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4081.00	Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4122.00	Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
51-4194.00	Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
51-9022.00	Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
51-9195.00	Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

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

Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
Clean workpieces or finished products.
Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices.
Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions.
Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Operate grinding equipment.
Operate painting or coating equipment.
Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Remove workpieces from molds.
Repair medical or dental assistive devices.
Select production equipment according to product specifications.
Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
Shape glass or similar materials.
Solder parts or workpieces.
Weigh finished products.