Dispensing Optician

Introduction
Dispensing opticians supply, fit and sell glasses and contact lenses to a
prescription given by an optometrist (ophthalmic optician). They give advice
to clients on the best type of glasses to suit their needs. Dispensing opticians
do not do eye tests.

Also known as
Optician, Dispensing

Work Activities
Dispensing opticians supply and fit spectacles according to a prescription given by an optometrist (ophthalmic
optician).
They measure the client's face and features precisely, to place the lenses at the right angle and make sure the
spectacle frame is comfortable and stable.
The dispensing optician has to check to make sure the spectacles match the prescription and will be appropriate to
the client's lifestyle, including their job and sporting hobbies.
If they spot any sign of injury, abnormality or disease of the eye, dispensing opticians refer the client to a doctor or
optometrist for further attention.
Dispensing opticians also give clients advice on the style and fashion of frames, and type of lens. This helps the client
to choose glasses that are appropriate to their needs, bearing in mind their job, lifestyle and leisure interests.
While taking measurements, the dispensing optician prepares instructions for the technicians who make the glasses.
Dispensing opticians give clients advice on getting the best results from their spectacles. Once the client has received
their spectacles, the dispensing optician continues to give advice and makes any adjustments or repairs if needed.
Dispensing opticians give advice and dispense optical aids to people who are partially sighted. With extra training,
they can specialise in supplying and fitting contact lenses.
Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when youre looking for work in Wales.

Personal Qualities and Skills

To be a dispensing optician, you'll need:
To enjoy working with people.
Patience and tact.
The ability to explain things clearly.
A careful, methodical approach and attention to detail.
Number skills to understand and take measurements.
Practical hand skills to make adjustments and do some repair work.
An interest in fashion and the style of glasses is an advantage. If you work in a high street optician's shop, you'll need
to like sales work. Computer skills are an advantage, for example, to update customers' records.

Pay and Opportunities

Pay
The pay rates given below are approximate.

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Dispensing opticians earn in the range of 18,000 - 20,000 a year, rising to 23,500 - 28,000 with experience.
Practice managers can expect to earn more than 30,000 a year.
Hours of work
Dispensing opticians usually work a basic 35-hour week. They might need to work on Saturdays and have some late
finishes.
Where could I work?
Employers include high street opticians, hospital eye clinics, frame and lens manufacturers, and ophthalmic
instrument manufacturers and suppliers.
Dispensing opticians can also work as sales representatives for ophthalmic suppliers.
Opportunities for dispensing opticians occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.
Self-employment
There are opportunities for dispensing opticians to become self-employed in their own practice or as a locum in a
number of practices.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers and on job boards. They are also advertised on the website of
the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.

Entry Routes and Training

Entry routes and training
To become a dispensing optician, you must complete an appropriate course, a pre-qualification period in
employment and the qualifying examinations (Fellowship Dispensing Diploma or FBDO) of the Association of British
Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). This leads to registration with the General Optical Council.
One training route is to first become employed by a qualified optician and then:
Complete a three-year blended-learning course run by the ABDO.
Go to college by day-release over three years. Courses are available at Bradford College, City and Islington College
and Anglia Ruskin University.

Or, you can enter after completing an appropriate full-time course, followed by the pre-registration year under the
supervision of a qualified optician, and then take the FBDO examinations. The options are:
A two-year, full-time training course at one of several training institutions around the country.
A three-year degree course. Degrees in ophthalmic dispensing are available from the ABDO College in partnership
with Canterbury Christ Church University (see below), Anglia Ruskin University, Bradford College and Glasgow
Caledonian University.
City University London, in partnership with City and Islington College, has a foundation degree in Ophthalmic
Dispensing. This is two years full-time.

The ABDO College and Canterbury Christ Church University run a foundation degree/BSc (Hons) degree course in
Ophthalmic Dispensing.
Progression
After extra training, you could specialise in fitting contact lenses. You could move into a management position. With
experience, you could become self-employed in your own practice, as a locum or in partnership with other

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dispensing opticians and optometrists.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
This career is usually an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply
information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask
you to.
This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are
asked to.

Qualifications
The minimum entry requirement to sit the professional examinations of the Association of British Dispensing
Opticians (ABDO) is usually:
5 GCSEs (A*-C), including English, Maths and a science subject. Equivalent qualifications might also be acceptable.
If you don't have the specified entry requirements, you can take an ABDO Access Course.
Some course providers relax the entry requirements for people who can demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge
gained through work experience.
For entry to an appropriate training course, you should check requirements with the college or university of your
choice.

Adult Opportunities
Age limits
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show
there is a real need to have these limits.
Courses
If you don't have the qualifications needed for entry to a degree in ophthalmic dispensing, you might be able to start
one after completing an Access course, such as Access to Science. You don't usually need any qualifications to start
an Access course but you should check this with the course provider.
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) has its own Access Courses, available through distance
learning, for people who don't have the minimum entry requirements for enrolment onto one of the dispensing
courses.

Further Information
Professional institutions
Professional institutions have the following roles:
To support their members.
To protect the public by keeping standards high in their professions.

For more information on the institution(s) relevant to this career, check out the contacts below.
Contacts
NHS Careers
Website: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
NHS Wales Careers

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Publisher: National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare

Email: abm.wedsteam@wales.nhs.uk
Website: www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/829/page/36090
NHS Jobs
Website: www.jobs.nhs.uk
Step into the NHS
NHS careers
Tel: 0345 6060655
Website: www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk
Skills for Health
Skills for the health sector
Address: Goldsmiths House, Broad Plain, Bristol BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 9221155
Email: office@skillsforhealth.org.uk
Website: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk
Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO)
Address: 199 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LD
Tel: 020 7298 5100
Email: general@abdolondon.org.uk
Website: www.abdo.org.uk
General Optical Council (GOC)
Address: 41 Harley Street, London W1G 8DJ
Tel: 020 7580 3898
Email: goc@optical.org
Website: www.optical.org
Eyecare Trust
Address: PO Box 804, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP20 9DF
Tel: 0845 1295001
Email: info@eyecaretrust.org.uk
Website: www.eyecaretrust.org.uk

Related Careers
Optometrist
Orthoptist

CASCAID 2016