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.

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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

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Related Words

See eye doctor.

Etymology

Origin of optician

1670–80; from French opticien, from Medieval Latin optic(a) ( 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.

Example Sentences

In Florstadt, automated procedures coexist with manual handling at fixed workstations, such as preparing a single contact lens ordered by an optician for a specific patient for further shipping.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

In areas like Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire, parents are instead given advice in their child's early development checks, or are signposted towards free NHS tests at their local optician.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2025

He had started to experience double vision in 2023 and saw an optician, who assured him it was normal for someone his age.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2025

So does Burgos, an optician and part owner of a murder mystery theater company.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2024

The optician next door to us, a silent, withdrawn individual, came over and taped the top of our display window where Betsie and I could not reach.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom