Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

optician

American  
[op-tish-uhn] / ɒpˈtɪʃ ən /

noun

  1. a person who makes or sells eyeglasses and, usually, contact lenses, for remedying defects of vision in accordance with the prescriptions of ophthalmologists and optometrists.

  2. a maker or seller of optical glass and instruments.


optician British  
/ ɒpˈtɪʃən /

noun

  1. Compare ophthalmologist

    1. Also called: optometrist.  a general name used to refer to an ophthalmic optician, a person qualified to examine the eyes and prescribe and supply spectacles and contact lenses

    2. a general name used to refer to a dispensing optician, a person who supplies and fits spectacle frames but is not qualified to prescribe lenses

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See eye doctor.

Etymology

Origin of optician

1670–80; from French opticien, from Medieval Latin optic(a) ( see optics) + French -ien -ian

Explanation

The person who makes your eye glasses is an optician. They work in the back room of the glasses shop, or at a factory, fabricating the lenses and attaching them to the frames. While an optician can determine whether you are nearsighted or farsighted, if you have a medical eye problem, you probably want to visit an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Both of these are eye doctors, but the latter has completed full medical training and has chosen eye health as a specialty.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing optician

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Officer Makhetha Watson, a D.C. police spokeswoman, said detectives are talking with police in several neighboring jurisdictions about whether the smash and grab theft at Focus Optician could be related to other similar crimes.

From Washington Post • Feb. 5, 2022

Virginia Burton, 72, owns and operates Burton Optician in Georgetown, which just celebrated its 28th anniversary.

From Washington Post • Aug. 8, 2017

She also did a turn on the QVC shopping network as the Optician to the Stars, demonstrating her natural affinity for both cross- and self-promotion.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2015

PCTAll age groupsGeneral medical practice; Optician services; OptometryFeb.

From The Guardian • Dec. 19, 2012

The Optician and the Oculist have made the most careful, scientific study of the eye.

From On the Firing Line in Education by Ladd, Adoniram Judson

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "optician" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com