What is a Dispensing Optician and What Do They Do?

Published on July 16th, 2025

When it comes to eye care, there are often a team of professionals who work together to make sure you are getting the best services possible. If you are getting a regular eye test, you will be more than familiar with an optometrist and what they do. If you have ever had a more serious eye problem, like advanced glaucoma or cataracts, you will be familiar with an ophthalmologist, also known as an eye surgeon.

If you have ever had glasses fitted, then you will have worked with a dispensing optician, although you may not have known it, as they often have a different name. In New Zealand, we have chosen to use the term dispensing optician instead of optician, as it is less likely to get confused with an optometrist.

Keep reading to find out more about dispensing opticians, why we use this term in New Zealand and what role dispensing opticians play in your eye care team.

What is a Dispensing Optician?

A dispensing optician is an eye care professional who is responsible for fitting and dispensing glasses. The term optician originated in the UK, where it relates to eye care professionals who both prescribe and dispense glasses.

As this definition is very closely related to optometry and is often confused with it, optician is not a term we commonly use on its own in New Zealand. We instead use the terms optometrists and dispensing opticians to differentiate between those who perform eye exams and prescribe lenses (optometrists), and those who interpret prescriptions and assist customers with fitting their glasses (dispensing opticians).

What does a dispensing optician do?

A dispensing optician has a range of responsibilities. These include fitting corrective lenses for patients, measuring the distance between a patient's pupils to ensure the best fit for glasses, and offering advice on selecting the right frames. Dispensing opticians do not prescribe glasses or diagnose eye conditions.

Dispensing opticians play an important role in helping an optometrist and ophthalmologist, to meet patient needs and provide the appropriate treatments.

At Oscar Wylee, we have a dedicated and passionate team of eye care professionals in store that can help with your vision needs. If you need an eye test for instance, you can book online and our optometrists, dispensing opticians and front of house staff, will work together to sort out any prescriptions or eye care that you need.

What are the Main Duties and Responsibilities of an Optical Dispenser?

The main duties and responsibilities of an optical dispenser can include interpreting prescriptions, advising customers and fitting eyewear. The main duties and responsibilities of an optical dispenser are listed below.

Interpreting Prescriptions: An optical dispenser’s responsibility can involve interpreting prescriptions, understanding the different abbreviations listed on the prescription and deciphering the numbers.
Advising Customers: An optical dispenser’s role will also involve advising customers on the right eyewear and can provide suggestions for the best frame and lens options. They will help ensure the frame and lenses are fitted correctly.
Fitting Eyewear: The optical dispenser typically helps with fitting eyewear by making any needed adjustments to your frames to ensure they feel comfortable and provide clear vision.

An optical dispenser assisting a customer with their glasses

What does a Dispensing Optician do on a daily basis?

What a dispensing optician will do day to day is dependent upon what environment they work in. If they work in an optical dispensary, their responsibilities will include filling prescriptions, adjusting frames and lenses, and giving advice to patients. If they work at an optometrists office, they will perform similar duties but may work closer with an eye care team including the optometrists. A dispensing optician may also work in other eye care centres or even laboratories.
Source: The Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD)

If a dispensing optician is working in a store like Oscar Wylee, where we provide both optometry services and optical dispensing, the day to day will often revolve around patients and customer service. They will make sure everyone’s eye care needs are met by fitting glasses, giving advice and making adjustments to lenses or frames.

Other duties may include:

Ordering lenses for the store.
Check that lenses or frames are free from defects.
Repairing damaged lenses or frames.

Dispensing Optician vs optometrist: What is the difference?

The difference between a dispensing optician and an optometrist can be simplified like this: one is qualified to carry out eye tests, write prescriptions and diagnose ocular disease (optometrists) and the other can not (dispensing opticians). Dispensing opticians will have a high level of understanding regarding prescriptions, and be able to assist patients, but they do not write prescriptions. Their main role is to dispense glasses and help in making sure these glasses are right for each person.

The form of education is also a differentiating factor between the two professions. Optometrists will have completed a minimum of a bachelors degree in Optometry whereas a dispensing optician usually completes a certificate in optical dispensing. These two eye care professionals will work as part of an eye care team that can also include an ophthalmologist, also known as an eye surgeon. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors with extra training in eye health.

How to become a Dispensing Optician?

To start a career as a dispensing optician, you may be required to attain a certificate IV in Optical Dispensing. You will also need the appropriate technical training to develop practical skills.

What do you need to study to become a Dispensing Optician?

You will need to complete a course to become a dispensing optician. In New Zealand, you will first need to get a job working as a trainee dispensing optician. You will then need to complete Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing New Zealand through the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing. There is a location in Auckland.
Source: Careers New Zealand Government

How long does it take to become a dispensing optician?

To become a dispensing optician, it will take up to two years as the completion of a Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing can take anywhere from 18 to 24 months.
Source: The Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD)

What skills does a dispensing optician need?

A dispensing optician will need to have a range of skills to excel in the field. The most important are:

A good knowledge of eye health, such as vision abnormalities and disorders.
A comprehensive understanding of how lenses and frames work.
Ability to interpret a glasses prescription.
Ability to measure a pupillary distance.
Good communication skills to work alongside an optometrist and other eye care staff.

As optical dispensing is a customer facing role, you will also need good customer service skills.

Oscar Wylee dispensing opticians

Here at Oscar Wylee, we have in-store dispensing staff that can help you with your lens and frame needs. Find your nearest Oscar Wylee store on our store locator page, and come in and see us for more information.

Read What is a Dispensing Optician and What Do They Do? in other Oscar Wylee regions and their languages.