| Related Jobs |  | Orthotist and Prosthetist , Technician, Dental Laboratory |
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| Job Outlook | | Dispensing opticians held about 66,000 jobs in 2006. Nearly one-third worked in health and personal care stores, including optical goods stores. Many of these stores offer one-stop shopping. Customers may have their eyes examined, choose frames, and have glasses made on the spot. About 30 percent of dispensing opticians worked in offices of other health practitioners, including offices of optometrists. Over 10 percent worked in offices of physicians, including ophthalmologists who sell glasses directly to patients. Some work in optical departments of department stores or other general merchandise stores, such as warehouse clubs and superstores. Nearly 6 percent are self-employed and run their own unincorporated businesses.
Employment of dispensing opticians is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2016 as demand grows for corrective lenses. The number of middle-aged and elderly persons is projected to increase rapidly. Middle age is a time when many individuals use corrective lenses for the first time, and elderly persons generally require more vision care than others. Fashion, too, influences demand. Frames come in a growing variety of styles and colors—encouraging people to buy more than one pair.
Increasing awareness of laser surgery that corrects some vision problems will have an impact on demand for eyewear. Although the surgery remains relatively more expensive than eyewear, patients who successfully undergo this surgery may not require glasses or contact lenses for several years.
The need to replace those who leave the occupation will result in additional job openings. Nevertheless, the number of job openings will be limited because the occupation is small. Dispensing opticians are vulnerable to changes in the business cycle, because eyewear purchases often can be deferred for a time. |
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| More Information | | Opticians Association of America, Commission on Opticianry Accreditation, National Academy of Opticianry, American Board of Opticianry, National Contact Lens Examiners |
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| References | | Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Opticians, Dispensing, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos098.htm
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