Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Medium42.63%
Found in Industries:
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$30,030
Median$37,720
High (90th %)$55,580
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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.
The occupation "Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians" has an automation risk of 42.6%, which is slightly lower than its base risk of 43.1%. This relatively moderate risk level is largely due to the specific nature of tasks performed in this field, many of which blend manual dexterity with judgment and quality control. While advances in automation and robotics have made inroads in laboratory environments, certain core activities within ophthalmic labs continue to require a human touch and nuanced skillset, lowering the overall likelihood of full automation. The three most automatable tasks for these technicians involve processes that are highly repetitive and rule-based. For example, mounting and securing lens blanks or optical lenses in machines, inspecting lens blanks for flaws or thickness, and setting up machinery for polishing, beveling, and grinding are all tasks that can be standardized and mechanized with precision manufacturing equipment. Advanced vision systems and robotic arms can handle such tasks efficiently, further boosting automation potential. As these are core production processes, automation here has the potential to significantly streamline operations, but not entirely replace the role of human technicians; oversight, troubleshooting, and adaptive adjustments are still often required. Conversely, tasks most resistant to automation include removing lenses from molds, controlling specialized coating equipment, and laying out and tracing lens shapes using templates. These steps often depend on fine manual dexterity, close visual assessment, and adaptive decision-making—skills where machines currently struggle. Additionally, bottleneck skills like Originality, although rated at lower levels (2.1% and 1.9%), play a small yet critical role in tasks requiring creativity or novel problem-solving, such as adapting to unusual lens shapes or addressing unique processing defects. The presence of these resistant tasks and skills ultimately moderates the overall automation risk for ophthalmic laboratory technicians, preserving a meaningful human contribution to the role.
Filter by Automatable Status
Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
Non-Automatable
Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
Automatable
Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
Partially Automatable
Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
Partially Automatable
Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
Non-Automatable
Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
Non-Automatable
Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.
Automatable
Position and adjust cutting tools to specified curvature, dimensions, and depth of cut.
Partially Automatable
Assemble eyeglass frames and attach shields, nose pads, and temple pieces, using pliers, screwdrivers, and drills.
Non-Automatable
Set dials and start machines to polish lenses or hold lenses against rotating wheels to polish them manually.
Non-Automatable
Repair broken parts, using precision hand tools and soldering irons.
Non-Automatable
Immerse eyeglass frames in solutions to harden, soften, or dye frames.
Automatable
Lay out lenses and trace lens outlines on glass, using templates.
Automatable
Control equipment that coats lenses to alter their reflective qualities.
Automatable
Remove lenses from molds and separate lenses in containers for further processing or storage.
Automatable
Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
Automatable
Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
Non-Automatable
Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisSystems AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningLearning StrategiesMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationComplex Problem SolvingOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems EvaluationTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Personnel Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTherapy and Counseling
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationGetting InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with Computers
Eyeglass design softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordSAP softwareMicrosoft OutlookEyeglass design softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordSAP softwareMicrosoft OutlookElectronic medical record EMR softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Office software
Opticians, Dispensing
Medium52.78%
Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Assist client with selecting frames. Measure customer for size of eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames. Verify exactness of finished lens spectacles. Adjust frame and lens position to fit client. May shape or reshape frames. Includes contact lens opticians.
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers
Low32.89%
Repair and adjust cameras and photographic equipment, including commercial video and motion picture camera equipment.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Low28.35%
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
Medium41.74%
Assemble or modify electrical or electronic equipment, such as computers, test equipment telemetering systems, electric motors, and batteries.
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
Low18.90%
Perform precision assembling or adjusting, within narrow tolerances, of timing devices such as digital clocks or timing devices with electrical or electronic components.
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium38.52%
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium35.75%
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium47.82%
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium43.49%
Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium44.70%
Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
Tool and Die Makers
Medium42.07%
Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium47.79%
Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Medium39.82%
Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
Medium46.54%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Medium40.69%
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Etchers and Engravers
Medium44.61%
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Medium44.30%
Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
Medium36.98%
Shape molten glass according to patterns.
Motion Picture Projectionists
Medium34.94%
Set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment.
Gem and Diamond Workers
Medium45.82%
Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.
Dental Laboratory Technicians
Low13.06%
Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
Medical Appliance Technicians
Low24.63%
Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.
Semiconductor Processing Technicians
High67.97%
Perform any or all of the following functions in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors: load semiconductor material into furnace; saw formed ingots into segments; load individual segment into crystal growing chamber and monitor controls; locate crystal axis in ingot using x-ray equipment and saw ingots into wafers; and clean, polish, and load wafers into series of special purpose furnaces, chemical baths, and equipment used to form circuitry and change conductive properties.