Dispensing Optician Careers Profile

What is a Dispensing Optician?

A dispensing optician (DO) advises on, fits and supplies the most appropriate spectacles after taking account of each person’s visual, lifestyle and vocational needs. Dispensing opticians also play an important role in advising and dispensing low vision aids to those who are partially sighted as well as advising on and dispensing to children where appropriate. They are also able to fit and provide aftercare for contact lenses after undergoing further specialist training. Career opportunities also exist to develop business skills in marketing and practice management.

Is a dispensing optician the right career for me?

Becoming a dispensing optician gives you many routes to develop your career. You can study while you work. The job can offer a range of different working patterns. It gives you a chance to interact with people and know that you are making a difference to their lives by providing eye wear, eye care and advice. If you want to progress your career you can choose to focus on management, take further training to become a contact lens optician or an optometrist.

Dispensing Opticians need to have excellent communication and decision-making skills, with a keen interest in problem solving and helping people. They also need to be interested in dealing with technical data when choosing the best lenses for each individual and have good manual skills for spectacle fitting and adjustments

Where do dispensing opticians work?

Once you have the qualification some dispensing opticians enjoy working in High Street practices, others work in a hospital setting, others may go into roles in the lens manufacturing industry.

How much do dispensing opticians earn?

Salaries vary depending on experience, location and type of practice. The starting salary for a newly qualified dispensing optician is typically around £20,000, depending on your employer and location. With experience, salary can go up to £40,000. Source: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/dispensing-optician

What career progression opportunities are available for dispensing opticians?

There are many opportunities following qualification, all depending on your chosen career pathway. It is possible to undertake further training to qualify as a contact lens optician (CLO). In Wales, NHS eye care is provided through Wales General Ophthalmic Services (WGOS). More information available here WGOS - NHS Wales. CLO’s can undergo further training in order to provide WGOS Examinations for Urgent Eye Problems to provide enhanced patient care in the community, including managing and treating minor eye conditions for the anterior eye. It is also possible for DOs to undergo further training to provide WGOS Low Vision Assessments, which allows accredited practitioners to support visually impaired patients in the community. You might decide to undertake further training in practice management, or to become an optometrist.

How do I become a dispensing optician?

You need 5 GCSEs grades 4-9 or A-C. These must include English, Maths and Science. If you have five years or more experience in optical practice you can apply with just English and Maths GCSE grade A-C (4 to 9 from 2017). Access courses are available for those without the right qualifications.

You can become a dispensing optician while you work. You can opt to complete a three-year distance learning course including a four-week residential block, or a three-year, day release course. There is also the option to take a two-year, full-time diploma course, followed by one year working under supervision.

Do I need a degree?

Where can I train?

You'll need to complete a course approved by the General Optical Council, and pass the Professional Qualifying Examinations from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). What to study and where (optical.org)

All dispensing opticians practising in the UK must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC), the profession’s regulatory body.

Is there funding available?

There isn’t any NHS funding available for the training, but often an employer will sponsor you to undertake dispensing diploma. There's no set minimum salary for the work done in community practice, but most employers pay at least the National Living Wage (if you're 25 or over) or the National Minimum Wage (if you're under 25). Many employers in community practice pay additional expenses such as course costs.

Are there postgraduate opportunities?

There are many opportunities following qualification, all depending on your chosen career pathway. It is possible to undertake further training to qualify as a contact lens optician (CLO). In Wales, NHS eye care is provided through Wales General Ophthalmic Services (WGOS). More information available here WGOS - NHS Wales. CLO’s can undergo further training in order to provide WGOS Examinations for Urgent Eye Problems to provide enhanced patient care in the community, including managing and treating minor eye conditions for the anterior eye. It is also possible to undergo further training to provide WGOS Low Vision Assessments, which allows accredited practitioners to support visually impaired patients in the community.

Do I need previous experience to apply for the course?

It is strongly advised to gain valuable work experience within optometry, this will give you the opportunity to see if you find it enjoyable.

How do I get experience?

There are numerous optical practices across the country that may offer work experience. Start by contacting your local practice.