Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

The Work

Dispensing opticians supply and fit spectacles according to the prescription provided by an optometrist (ophthalmic optician). They measure the face and features of the patient precisely, in order to place the lenses at the right angle and ensure that the spectacle frame is comfortable and stable. They then prepare detailed instructions for the technicians who make the lenses.  
 
If any sign of injury, abnormality or disease of the eye is spotted, dispensing opticians refer the patient to a doctor or optometrist for further attention.  
 
Dispensing opticians advise clients on the choice of spectacles, which may involve aspects such as colour vision, problems of lighting and eye safety in industry. They must know enough about the relative merits of glass, plastic, laminated, coated and reinforced lenses, to help the client choose a lens appropriate to their needs (bearing in mind their job and leisure interests). They must also understand how lenses are made and the theory underlying the prescription.  
 
Some experienced dispensing opticians specialise in the dispensing of contact lenses, optical aids for the partially sighted, or the fitting of artificial eyes.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.
• Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.
• Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.
• Measure clients' bridge and eye sise, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.
• Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and goods related to eyes, in general.
• Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.
• Heat, shape, or bend plastic or metal frames to adjust eyeglasses to fit clients, using pliers and hands.
• Show customers how to insert, remove, and care for their contact lenses.
• Determine clients' current lens prescriptions, when necessary, using lensometers or lens analysers and clients' eyeglasses.
• Maintain records of customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.

Further Information

• Dispensing Optician - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Training & Development Pathways

Higher education CAO entry Technological University (TU) Dublin is currently the only institution offering a Bachelor Degree (NFQ level 7) in ‘ophthalmic dispensing’ (TU761) or Optometry at NFQ level 8 (TU871) which is an approved course Search CAO courses

The first two years of the degree are delivered in the laboratories and classrooms at the DIT campus, and the third year is a structured work placement. Students are required to undergo Garda vetting.

Studying in the UK & Northern Ireland Optometry Search UCAS

Studying in Europe  Medical diagnostic optometry, Optometry Search Eunicas 

Professional Development

Irish Association of Dispensing Opticians membership is a great way to stay up to date on developments in the field, access further training and making contacts.

While there is a shortage in Ireland, some may still want to work abroad. Irish registered Dispensing Opticians can currently work in Australia and TU Dublin is seek approval for graduates of the Programme to work in the UK.

In order to work in other countries, you may be required to undertake additional national certification test and/or an adaption period.

TU Dublin’s Centre for Eye Research Ireland offers postgraduate research opportunities in this field.

CORU

Last Updated: August, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €50k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Salary Expert/ Glassdoor / Salaryband

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Employment levels have fluctuated over the five-year period, with numbers employed in 2024 broadly in line with that of 2021. Three-quarters of persons employed were women, with a lower than average share who were non-Irish citizens.

New employment permits were issued across a range of job titles including radiographers, cardiac physiologists, dieticians, audiologists, pharmacists, dentists, optometrists, and psychologists.

There was a fall in the share of OJAs for this occupation between 2023 and 2024, mostly related to a fall in health services and public health managers and directors.

Although demand is evident and the Government is committed to increase training places and recruitment for many of these roles, the extent to which shortages are occurring is difficult to determine due to the relatively small number of persons employed in each speciality. A workforce plan for the healthcare sector should assist in shedding further light on the issues facing this occupation.

Shortage:

Inconclusive

• Irish Association of Dispensing Opticians

  • PO Box 9013, 12 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
  • (01) 668 0566
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Federation of (Ophthalmic and Dispensing) Opticians Ireland

  • Click Here

• Optical Registration Board at CORU

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals

  • Infinity Building, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y
  • (01) 293 3160
  • [email protected]/ [email protected]/ [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Specsavers

  • Cirrus House 10 Experion Way Nottingham NG2 1EP
  • 0044 01566 771888/ 0044 0115 9330500
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here