Opticians, Dispensing

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.

The occupation "Opticians, Dispensing" faces a moderate automation risk of 52.8%, closely aligning with its base risk of 53.6%. This indicates that while a significant portion of tasks within this occupation could potentially be automated, there remains a considerable percentage of the role that resists full automation. Technological advancements in robotics and optics have made certain job functions more susceptible to automation, especially those involving repetitive, well-defined manual tasks. Machines can now handle complex manufacturing processes with high precision, and this progress directly affects occupations like dispensing opticians. The automation risk reflects the balance between tasks readily performed by machines and those needing human judgment or creativity. Among the most automatable tasks for dispensing opticians are grinding lens edges or applying coatings to lenses, repairing damaged frames, and performing precise measurements such as bridge and eye size. These tasks are typically rule-based, repetitive, and depend on accuracy—qualities well-suited for robotic systems and automated measuring instruments. For example, robotic grinding and coating machines have already been adopted in many optical labs, increasing efficiency and consistency. Similarly, frame repair can be carried out by specialized machines that handle small, precise adjustments. Measuring devices with digital readouts are also increasingly capable of capturing biometric information with minimal human oversight, further supporting the automation of these routine tasks. In contrast, tasks that are most resistant to automation require higher-order thinking and interpersonal skills. Arranging and maintaining displays of optical merchandise, for instance, involves aesthetic judgment and adaptation to current trends, something that machines currently struggle to replicate with high originality. Ordering and purchasing frames and lenses call for anticipatory decision-making and negotiation, areas still best handled by humans. Supervising the training of student opticians demands mentorship, feedback, and communication, which require emotional intelligence and adaptability. The main bottleneck skills for resisting automation in this occupation include originality, with skill levels at 2.9% and 3.0%. This low reliance on originality means most of an optician’s work is process-driven, but the creative and supervisory elements serve as important barriers against total automation.