An Optician is a competent healthcare practitioner who specializes in vision services, such as delivering appropriate eye care in the form of eyeglasses or contact lenses for patients based on their individual visual needs. They collaborate with other specialists in the field, such as optometrists and ophthalmologists, to interpret and offer accurate eye care to patients. Do you have any questions about what an optician is? What do opticians make in Nigeria? This page seeks to clarify what an optician does, what an optician’s job description is, how much opticians earn in Nigeria, and how to become an optician in Nigeria.
Who is an Optician?
An optician is a professional healthcare specialist that specializes in eye care and is responsible for supplying patients with eyeglasses and contact lenses that are appropriate for their eye needs. These specialists are qualified to aid patients by understanding optometrist or ophthalmologist prescriptions. These prescriptions are then used to provide and supply appropriate corrective glasses or lenses to their patients. An optician is also responsible for assisting patients and selecting eyeglass frames and contact lenses based on their needs, preferences, or lifestyle. They also have the knowledge and skills to take accurate measurements and identify the best size and substance of lens for every patient’s optical needs. When necessary, optometrists can also repair and adjust eyewear.
They work at pharmacies, eye clinics, optometry hospitals, and general hospitals. A Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Science with a focus on any of the following is required to become a certified and practicing Optician in Nigeria. You must have completed the one-year required NYSC program and be registered with the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) to study optical theory, eye physiology, ophthalmic dispensing, or lens technology at any respectable university.
An Optician’s Job Description
- Collect prescriptions from optometrists and ophthalmologists and correctly analyze them to identify the best eyeglasses or contact lenses for patients.
- Assist patients in selecting the appropriate eyeglasses frame or lenses depending on their visual needs, lifestyle, or taste.
- Repair and adjust frames and lenses as needed to meet the needs of patients.
- Perform accurate measurements of eyeglasses frames and lenses to ensure that patients’ vision demands and comfort are met.
- Provide extensive and accurate advice about eyewear care and maintenance to patients without causing any damage to the frame or lens.
- Maintain current and correct patient records, which may contain their history, prescriptions, orders, and other vital documentation.
- Continuous learning and keeping up with trends in eye technology, eyewear fashion, and any other visual industry technologies.
Salary Of Opticians In Nigeria
According to Paylab, the average optician in Nigeria earns between 84,817 NGN and 206,323 NGN each month.
How to Become an Optician in Nigeria
Becoming an optician in Nigeria requires the following:
- Bachelor’s Degree from a reputable and recognized tertiary institution
- Mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
- Professional Exam organized with the Authorize body in Nigeria
- Registration under the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN).