Job File: Optician

Of the five senses, vision is undoubtedly the most important. As soon as our eyesight deteriorates, so does our entire experience of the world. In this optic, the various métiers of health can correct sight defects. In our fiche métier ophtalmologue, we explored the diagnosis and treatment of eye problems. In this article, we'll be looking at a complementary function: the métier d’optician-lunetier.

What is an optician?

Rôle and missions of the optician

The optician is a vision care professional who plays an essential role in correcting sight problems. They advise on, manufacture and fit optical equipment such as glasses and contact lenses. His main mission is to ensure the visual comfort of customers, taking into account their specific needs. To do this, the optician analyzes prescriptions prescribed by ophthalmologists and guides customers in choosing the corrective lenses and frames best suited to their morphology and style.

The importance of the optician in vision correction

The optician occupies a central position in the visual care pathway. As the intermediary between the ophthalmologist and the patient, he ensures that the prescribed visual correction is correctly applied. He also guarantees the quality of the equipment and ensures that it complies with current standards. He also plays a key role in the treatment of certain visual disorders, and can refer customers to a specialist if necessary, thus helping to prevent eye problems and promote visual health. Once you've defined your area of expertise, let's take a look at the skills required to apply for a job as an optician.

The skills needed to become an optician

To become an optician, a number of technical and interpersonal skills are required, both in terms of professional practice and more generally to meet customers' needs. Here are the main ones:

• Technical skills

• • Maîtrise de l'optique et de la réfraction: an optician must understand the principles of optics, i.e. the laws of réfraction, in order to know how to correct visual disorders such as myopia, hypermétropia, astigmatism or presbyopia.
  • Knowledge of lenses and contact lenses: the optician must be familiar with the theory behind the different types of lenses (mineral, organic, polycarbonate, etc.) and contact lenses (rigid, plastic, polycarbonate, etc.).) and lenses (rigid, soft, multifocal), including their characteristics and advantages, in order to guide customers in their choice.
  • Measurements: taking precise measurements (pupil size, mounting height, etc.) is essential to ensure that the lenses are properly centered in the frame, thus ensuring optimum visual comfort for the customer.
  • Eyewear mounting and adjustment: the optician must be able to mount the lenses on the frame and adjust them so that they are comfortable and well suited to each customer's facial morphology.
  • Reading and interpreting prescriptions: understanding and correctly reading prescriptions issued by ophthalmologists is essential to ensure that the prescribed correction is properly respected in glasses or contacts.

• Interpersonal skills

• • Sense of listening and advice: the optician must be able to listen well, understand each customer's specific needs and provide personalized advice based on their activities, tastes and budget.
  • Empathy and pédagogy: knowing how to explain to customers in a clear manner the reasons for their visual disorder and the choice of their équipement is important for creating a relationship of trust.
  • Selling skills: a good optician knows how to add value to his products and services. He is able to guide the customer towards the product that meets his needs while remaining within an ethical sales approach.
  • Skills in stock management and merchandising: for in-store opticians, it is important to know how to manage stocks of frames, lenses and contact lenses, as well as how to present products to attract customers.

• Administrative and regulatory skills

• • Knowledge of réglementation: in France, the optician must comply with current legislation concerning the dédelivery of glasses and contact lenses. They must also be able to manage relations with social security and mutual insurance organizations for reimbursement of equipment.
  • Managing relations with ophthalmologists: good collaboration with ophthalmologists is essential to ensure continuity of care and customer follow-up.

• Numeric skills

• Use of management and optical equipment software: opticians must know how to use software for managing customers and stocks, as well as technical equipment for taking measurements and conducting eye examinations.
• Maîtrise des outils de communication numérique : pour les opticiens qui développent en ligne ou qui gèrent un site e-commerce, il est important de savoir utiliser les outils numériques pour la communication et la promotion de leur activité.

Training to become an optician

The diplomas required : BTS Opticien-Lunetier (BTS OL)

To practice the métier d’optician, it is nécessary to complete a BTS Opticien-Lunetier (BTS OL). This diploma, which can be obtained after the baccalaureate, takes two years to complete. It provides theoretical and practical skills in optics, contactology and sales techniques. The BTS OL is essential for opening an optician’s store and holding the title of optician diplômé.

Additional training and specializations

After the BTS OL, it's possible to continue your studies to become more specialized. Professional bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in optometry or contactology enable you to deepen your knowledge and broaden your skills. These courses offer the opportunity to stand out in the job market and gain access to positions of responsibility, such as store management or clinical optometry.

Find out more in our optician fact sheet.

The daily responsibilities and tasks of an optician

Opticians are multi-skilled professionals who combine technical, relational and commercial skills. Here's an overview of the main responsibilities and daily tasks of this vision professional:

• Customer reception and advice

• • Customer reception: the optician welcomes customers to the store, listening to them to identify their needs, whether it's for a first pair of glasses, a lens renewal or contact lenses.
  • Personalized advice;: he guides customers in their choice of frames and lenses according to their visual needs, lifestyle, aesthetic preferences and budget. This advice is based on his knowledge of materials, lens types (anti-reflective, anti-blue-light, progressive, etc.) and lens characteristics.
  • Explanations on equipment: the optician must explain to customers the specifics of the prescribed correction, how progressive lenses work or how to care for lenses, to ensure optimal use of the optical equipment.

• Réalization and adjustment of optical équipements

• • Measurements: to guarantee the customer's visual comfort, the optician takes precise measurements such as pupillary distance, lens mounting height and facial morphological specifications.
  • Préparation of glasses: he prépares lenses according to ophthalmologists' prescriptions. This includes trimming the lenses, shaping the frames, mounting them on the frames, and then adjusting the glasses so that they fit comfortably on the customer's face.
  • Fitting and réparations: the optician adjusts the frames so that they fit the customer's face perfectly. He is also able to repair glasses in case of breakage or need for maintenance.

• Eye examination (if qualified)

• • Contrôle de la vue: in France, qualified opticians can, under certain conditions, carry out eye examinations to check the correction of glasses, particularly when they are renewed. This is done with the help of specific devices to assess visual acuity.
  • Verification of prescriptions: the optician must verify the validity of prescriptions provided by customers and ensure that the optical equipment prescribed complies with identified visual needs.

• Sales and administrative management

• • Inventory management: manages the supply of frames, lenses and contact lenses. This involves tracking orders with suppliers, managing inventory and organizing the store to highlight certain products.
  • Sales and collections management: the optician handles invoicing for equipment, collections and, where necessary, the management of payment in instalments.
  • Relations with mutual insurance companies and social security: this role is responsible for the administrative management of optical equipment reimbursements, in liaison with mutual insurance companies and social security organizations. This often involves preparing reimbursement files for customers.

• Relations with other health professionals;

• • Collaboration with ophthalmologists: the optician communicates regularly with ophthalmologists to ensure continuity of care, check certain prescriptions or discuss special cases.
  • Routing to other professionals: in the event of a specific problem or the need for more in-depth medical follow-up, the optician can refer the customer to an ophthalmologist for a full medical diagnosis.

• Store management and development

• Window set-up and product presentation: the optician ensures that frames and products are showcased in the store to attract customers and highlight new products.
• Marketing and loyalty : it implements communication and customer loyalty actions, such as special offers, communication campaigns on social networks or the organization of special days to promote new collections.
• Customer follow-up and satisfaction: the optician ensures that customers are satisfied with their equipment and suggests adjustments if necessary. This contributes to customer loyalty and the store's reputation.

Career prospects and possible career paths

Working in an indépendant store or in a chain

Opticians have the opportunity to work in different types of structures. They can work in an independent store, a franchised chain or a network of optical chains. Each working environment has its own advantages: independence for the former, job security and technical resources for the latter.

Open your own optical boutique

For opticians who aspire to’autonomy and’business management, opening their own boutique is an attractive route. It does, however, require a good knowledge of the market, management and marketing skills, and a financial investment. Becoming an entrepreneur enables you to develop your own customer base, manage supplies and offer personalized services.

Specialization opportunities

Opticians can specialize in fields such as optometry, contactology and low vision. Optometry enables us to carry out more detailed eye examinations and adjust visual corrections. Contactology involves fitting contact lenses and advising customers on their use. These specializations enable opticians to diversify their activities and position themselves in more specific market segments.

In conclusion, the métier d’opticien is rich and varied, combining technical expertise, customer relations and sales management. Career prospects are numerous and offer great opportunities for those wishing to progress in the field of visual health. Whether working for a chain or setting up their own business, opticians play an essential role in the visual well-being of their customers.

Are you interested in learning more about this business? Find our optician salary sheet.