Over half the people in the United States wear glasses or contact lenses. Ophthalmologists are physicians who perform eye surgery, and diagnose and treat eye diseases and injuries. They also examine eyes and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors, and should not be confused with optometrists or opticians.

Optometrists (doctors of optometry, also known as O.D.'s) provide most of the primary vision care people need. They examine people's eyes to diagnose vision problems and eye diseases. Optometrists prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, and provide vision therapy and low vision rehabilitation.

Dispensing opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses and in some States may fit contact lenses according to prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists.

Ophthalmic laboratory technicians—also known as manufacturing opticians, optical mechanics or optical goods workers—make prescription eyeglass lenses.

 

Most vision care professionals work in clean, well-lit comfortable offices, laboratories and retail optical stores. They generally work a regular 40-hour week, but night, weekend and overtime work are sometimes required.

 

Vision care professionals should have manual dexterity and the ability to do precision work. Those who deal with the public should have a neat, professional appearance, a pleasant personality and excellent interpersonal skills.

 

Demographic trends make it likely that many more Americans will wear glasses in the years ahead. Not only will the population grow, but the number of middle-aged and older adults is projected to increase rapidly. Middle age is a time when many people use corrective lenses for the first time, and elderly persons require more vision care, on the whole, than others.

Fashion, too, influences demand. Frames come in a growing variety of styles and colors—encouraging people to buy more than one pair. Demand is also expected to grow in response to the availability of new technologies that improve the quality and look of corrective lenses, such as anti-reflective coatings and bifocal lenses without the line visible in old-style bifocals. Improvements in bifocal, extended wear and disposable contact lenses will also spur demand.