Fresh off the Beaten Path: Ocularistry Jobs

Published on 2008-08-20

As early as the 5th century B.C.E., clay ocular prostheses attached to the outside of the eye socket were helping people cope with the loss of an eye due to ocular diseases or eye trauma. Since then, ocularists have been engineering increasingly advanced prostheses and helping people care for their artificial eyes.

Ocularistry: What Exactly Is It?

Today's ocularistry is a combination of art jobs and medical jobs. According to the American Society of Ocularists (ASO), "an ocularist is a carefully trained technician skilled in the arts of fitting, shaping, and painting ocular prostheses. In addition to creating it, the ocularist shows the patient how to handle and care for the prosthesis, and provides long-term care through periodic examinations." Ocular prostheses, most of which today are made out of acrylic plastic, are custom made to fit an individual's eye socket and painted to match his or her existing eye. When surgical procedures are required, ocularists may be required to consult with ophthalmologists. Ocularistry also encompasses some of the research aspects of science jobs, giving ocularists the opportunity to publish their findings in the Journal of Ophthalmic Prosthetics and other medical journals.

Personality Profile: Is Ocularistry Right for Me?

Like any eye-care professional, ocularists must be dedicated to helping people. This involves good communication skills and emotional stability. Attention to detail, solid decision-making skills, and ability to work under pressure are also important. Most medical careers require ongoing learning to advance one's knowledge and medical skills, and ocularistry is no different. Additionally, ocularists need artistic skills in order to be able to shape and paint custom eyes to match each patient. For those ocularists who own their own businesses, management and finance skills come into play as well.

Education, Training, and Experience: How Do I Become an Ocularist?

The ASO specifies that the only approved training for ocularists is available in the form of apprenticeships with ASO-approved ocularists. During the five-year (10,000 hours) apprenticeship program, all aspects of ocular prosthetics are covered. Apprentices also are required to successfully earn 750 study credits through the organization's education program. Once an apprentice has completed all of these requirements, he or she earns the title of Diplomate of the American Society of Ocularists and can pursue employment opportunities. Would-be apprentices are responsible for finding their own ocularists to train with. While no formal education degree is required, the ASO does recommend coursework in applied psychology, art, sculpting, and communications for current students.

Ocularists: Where Do They Work?

Many ocularists are self-employed and own their own businesses. However, ocularists also hold clinic and hospital jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not collect wage data associated with ocularistry, but informal sources suggest that ocularistry can be a full-time career, and an ocularist can earn, on average, $20 per hour.

The Future of Ocularistry

The BLS predicts that healthcare jobs for dispensing opticians and optometrists should grow at least as fast as average in the next few years due to an aging population that will need eye care, the growing number of vision insurance options offered by employers, and general recognition of the importance of good eye care. Given this prediction, it is reasonable to believe that ocularistry job positions will at least hold steady through the next decade, if not increase.

Ocularists can find jobs in their field by browsing the "Healthcare" section of Fresho.com. In addition to free classified ads, the website also offers free resume posting, email and RSS updates, career articles, and other tools for job seekers and employers. Fresho.com: A new job. An exciting career. A fresh start.