Optician

Optician are healthcare professionals specially trained to optimize vision by applying, fitting and adjusting eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids and eye prosthetics. Opticians are experts in eye and lens function, and use this knowledge to adjust vision devices to optimize a persons’ eyesight. Thus opticians help treat a variety or eye-related disorders including:

• Age-related vision loss 
• Near and far-sightedness
• Astigmatism

Opticians provide services in independent prescription glasses shops and in optometry or medical clinics. These services include:

• Interpreting written prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists to determine the ideal vision device for the client. 
• Adjusting and fitting vision devices to optimize the client’s eyesight
• Promoting eye health by providing eye-related advice.

In Ontario, “Optician” is a regulated profession subject to the Standards for Practice, Code of Ethics and Professional Guidelines defined by College of Opticians of Ontario. For more information on regulatory colleges, view our What is a Regulatory College page.