Optical Mechanic
(Optical Technician)
Fact Sheet
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Buffing the lens' edge smooth |
Optical mechanics make precision optical parts, grind, polish and surface prescription lenses and contact lenses, and fit lenses to spectacle frames.
Duties and Tasks
Optical mechanics may perform the following tasks:
- read and interpret prescriptions from eye specialists
- locate and mark optical centres and axes on lens blanks and make calculations to grind lenses to specifications
- grind and polish the surface of the lens by setting grinding and polishing machines
- test polished lenses for accuracy
- apply protective coatings and non-reflective material to lenses and apply heat and chemical treatment to glass lenses to harden them if required
- shape and fit lenses to spectacle frames
- repair damaged and broken spectacles
- cut and polish contact lenses to prescription requirements
Quick Facts
School subjects that include some aspect of BIOLOGY provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a biology-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspect of COMPUTING STUDIES provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a computer studies-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to undertake. Jobs requiring full use of hands/fingers are excluded.\par
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather. Jobs requiring mainly indoor work are excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
Included are jobs providing health care diagnosis and treatment, such as general medicine, pharmacy, optometry, radiography, speech therapy, dental health, etc. Also covered are community and welfare services, such as social work, family and children services, and counselling, and personal services such as hairdressing and funeral services.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH THINGS, using the hands, or special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust them. Activities include doing practical and physical tasks, and may require an understanding of how equipment or machinery works.
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study usually at Certificate III level, and on-the-job training offered as an apprenticeship, is required.
Work Conditions
With further training, optical mechanics may specialise as optical dispensers who measure and fit clients with spectacles. See the separate profile for Optical Dispenser. Highly skilled and experienced optical mechanics make, repair and service binoculars, telescopes and other scientific optical equipment.
Personal Requirements
- good eyesight (or correctable by glasses or contact lenses)
- good hand-eye coordination
- patience and accuracy
- an aptitude for mathematics and physics