Opticians (dispensing)
Published on: Monday, January 15, 2024
By: K Krishnan
Text Size:
Opticians deliver the corrective solutions to the customers and patients. (Pic: https://www.ioassn.org/)
Using prescriptions written by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, an optician would dispense and fit the corrective lenses that would solve your eyesight problems.
What do they do?
Opticians design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for clients according to a written optical prescription or specification. They assist clients with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses.
They also assist the client with selecting frames. They measure customers for the size of their eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.
They prepare a work order for the optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames.
Related job titles: Certified Optician, Contact Lens Technician, Dispensing Optician, Licenced Dispensing Optician (LDO), Licenced Optician, Ophthalmic Dispenser, Optical Technician, Optician, Optometric Technician, Registered Optician
What skills do you need?
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension:
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Hollands’ Code: In school, your counsellor would have administered the Career Aptitude Test.
If you know your personality type, it is easier to understand. Opticians fall under the C and R types.
Conventional (C): Work involves following procedures and regulations to organise information or data, typically in a business setting.
Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Realistic (R): Work involves designing, building, or repairing equipment, materials, or structures; engaging in physical activity; or working outdoors.
Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labour, athletics, or protective services.
Education and training
There are several colleges in Malaysia offering this course. Two colleges are mentioned here.
Browse through their web sites to gain more information. You can also look for other colleges that offer this programme in Malaysia.
Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing Course at MSU
The curriculum for the Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing programme at Management and Science University (MSU) is designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in this discipline.
Students will receive extensive learning in the classroom and the skills lab and attain valuable real-life experience through industrial attachment at optical shops.
You need to pass SPM with a credit in any three (3) subjects and a pass in two (2) science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology).
Other acceptable qualifications include a Certificate (MQF Level 3) in Optical Technology or Science or equivalent, a Fellowship Diploma of the British Dispensing Optician (FBDO), or other qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government.
The duration of the course is three years.
The tuition fee is approximately RM50,000.
For information, contact:
Management and Science University
University Drive, Off Persiaran
Olahraga, Section 13, 40100 Shah Alam,
Selangor, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
TEL: +(603) 5521 6868
Optician course at Vision College
Vision College College also offers a professional career pathway via its Diploma in Opticianry, which is accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Malaysian Optical Council (MOC).
According to the programme coordinator, Lim Chuin Wei, “With the professional licence from MOC, our graduates are eligible to open and operate up to four optical businesses in the country.”
For further information, contact: Vision College
127, Jalan SS 6/12, Kelana Jaya,
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
+6012-9693600
E-mail: [email protected]
Q and A
If you have a question, please write to [email protected]
