Description
Set up, operate, and maintain machines that cut, generate, edge, and polish ophthalmic lenses to prescription specifications. Center and align lens blanks, control curvature and thickness, and inspect finished lenses to ensure optical quality and fit.
- • Examine prescriptions or work orders to determine base curve, power, axis, thickness, and size requirements.
- • Select lens blanks, blocking materials, tools, laps, and grinding or polishing wheels per specifications.
- • Block, mount, and secure lens blanks in chucks or holders.
- • Set up and calibrate generators, edgers, bevelers, and polishers for required parameters.
- • Position and adjust cutting tools to the specified curvature, bevel, and depth of cut.
- • Grind, edge, bevel, and polish lenses to size and finish.
- • Center lenses and control decentration and axis alignment during processing.
- • Set dials and start machines; monitor feeds, speeds, coolant, and wheel wear; adjust as needed.
- • Inspect lens surfaces during processing to detect flaws or overheating.
- • Measure power, axis, diameter, and thickness using lensometers, calipers, and gauges.
- • Verify alignment and conformance to tolerances; document results.
- • Clean and deblock lenses; remove alloy, tape, or adhesive residue.
- • Shape lenses to frame tracings or templates for proper fit.
- • Operate or prepare for coating processes (hard coat, AR, tint) as required.
- • Rework lenses to correct minor defects when possible.
- • Maintain equipment; dress wheels, replace laps, and perform preventive maintenance.
- • Follow safety procedures for machinery, chemicals, and PPE.
- • Organize and label work orders and lenses for further processing or shipment.
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Healthcare & Human Services
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
