A technician plays a vital function between the health care practitioner who analyses the eyes and issues a prescription for a lens and the eyeglass store where an appropriate frame is chosen. A precision optical products worker produces the prescription lenses and prepares the frames to contain them. He or she may also be referred to as an ophthalmic laboratory technician, a manufacturing optician, or an optical mechanic. 

They work behind the scenes at huge eyeglass retailers or at laboratories where the prescriptions are sent once a frame is chosen. Most technicians employ automated equipment to create lenses that were formerly created by hand. Glass or plastic lenses can be used. According to the prescription, each lens is marked, cut, ground, edged, and polished. 

The prescription optical products worker must be able to follow directions exactly, whether working by hand or with machinery. Employers typically hire people with a high school diploma and provide on-the-job training. They are looking for students that are meticulous and skilled with their hands. Science, mathematics, and computer courses can be extremely beneficial. 

Precision optical products employees are also trained in technical schools and the military forces. The expertise required to make prescription lenses can also be used to make lenses for telescopes, binoculars, and other optical equipment. Automation has reduced the demand for these workers. Learning the numerous methods required to complete a lens can take up to 6 months. Customers rarely see the technician, but they see better as a result of him.