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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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33109.05 – Optical/ophthalmic laboratory technicians and assistants

Optical/ophthalmic laboratory technicians and assistants use laboratory equipment to fit lenses into frames and make minor repairs for customers.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Ophthalmic laboratory technician - retail
  • Ophthalmic lens grinder
  • Optical laboratory assistant

Core competencies

  • Quality Control Testing to ensure lenses meet the required standards for clarity, accuracy of prescription, size and durability
  • Operation and Control to operate and control machinery and equipment in the laboratory such as lens grinders, frame soldering equipment, lens meters and other specialized tools
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness to handle delicate equipment and perform precise tasks, such as grinding, cutting and polishing lenses, replacing frame screws or straightening frames
  • Control of Settings to adjust the speed and pressure settings on a lens grinder to ensure the equipment produces accurate results
  • Attention to Detail to examine work orders and prescriptions to determine coatings, dimensions and precision optical elements
  • Knowledge in Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations to ensure safe and effective use of laboratory equipment in the shaping, refining and repair of lenses or eyeglass frames

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate laboratory equipment to grind, cut, polish and edge lenses for eyeglasses according to prescriptions received and fit lenses into frames
  • Make minor repairs for customers such as replacing frame screws or straightening frames
  • Maintain and repair optical laboratory equipment or machinery.

Additional information

No data has been provided for this section.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
  • Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
  • Other medical technologists and technicians (32129)
  • Pharmacy technicians (32124)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

33 – Assisting occupations in support of health services

Sub-major group

331 – Assisting occupations in support of health services

Minor group

3310 – Assisting occupations in support of health services

Unit group

33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services

Occupational profile

33109.05 – Optical/ophthalmic laboratory technicians and assistants

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.