Optics professions: a changing landscape!

Optician, ophthalmologist, orthoptist. For many young students or professionals outside the field, this is the complete picture of optical professions. Yet it's incomplete—and increasingly so! Between the new legal prerogatives of opticians, the rise of paramedical specializations, the integration of technology into practices and workshops, and the emergence of new profiles at the intersection of optics and artificial intelligence, the industry is undergoing a major transformation. Here's an overview of the professions that are already shaping—or will shape—the optics of tomorrow.

The optician is a fully-fledged healthcare professional

This is one of the most significant shifts in the sector, and it's regulatory. Since 2016, opticians have been able to adapt prescriptions and perform eye exams. What was perceived as a subtle evolution has proven to be transformative: nearly 60% of opticians in France believe their profession has changed considerably over the past five years, according to the 2024 Optical Professions Observatory .

This change in status is accompanied by a transformation of daily operations in stores. Measurements are now taken with the help of precision digital instruments. Virtual try-on using augmented reality regularly complements the thorough physical fitting. On the most popular websites, chatbots guide customers from the outset. And smart glasses, now compatible with prescription lenses , open up a whole new dimension of follow-up. The optician remains central to the service—but their role in providing advice and preventative care has therefore expanded considerably.

The sector also remains promising in terms of employment: nearly 2,000 positions are currently available in France, the vast majority of which are permanent contracts, with more than 13,000 stores spread across the country.

Paramedical specializations: optometrist, low vision specialist, contact lens specialist…

Behind the terms "optician" or "ophthalmologist" are actually several distinct professions, with very different skills and career opportunities.

Optometry is perhaps the most strategic specialization of the decade. Faced with the shortage of ophthalmologists in certain areas, the French Association of Optometrists (AOF) is warning that by 2025, half the population may no longer have access to eye care within a reasonable timeframe. In this context, the optician-optometrist—trained through a professional degree or a bachelor's degree in vision science—is called upon to play a crucial role as a link between the patient and the ophthalmologist.

A low vision specialist supports individuals with severe visual impairments that cannot be corrected with conventional eyeglasses—such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), advanced glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa. They assess residual vision, prescribe specific optical aids (magnifying systems, filters, and adapted lighting), and often work in coordination with occupational therapists and orthoptists. This is a rare and in-demand profession, accessible through a specialized professional degree in Vision Science.

The refraction specialist is a professional responsible for conducting eye exams to measure visual defects (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia). They determine or adjust the optical correction best suited to the client's needs, in accordance with current regulations. They also advise on the selection of lenses and visual aids. They may also supervise the refraction department's activities, ensure a high-quality customer experience, and manage professional equipment.

The contact lens specialist positions themselves as the expert in fitting contact lenses, particularly rigid gas-permeable lenses and scleral lenses, used to correct irregular corneas (keratoconus, post-surgery). In France, nearly three out of four people suffer from vision problems, and the proportion of contact lens wearers remains a market with significant potential for growth.

Orthoptists provide rehabilitation services for strabismus, amblyopia, convergence disorders, and neurological sequelae. Their role is taking on a new dimension with the rise in oculomotor pathologies linked to screens and the growth of early screening in children.

Creative optical professions: optician, designer, creative optician…

These are the professions rarely discussed in high school, yet often fascinating. The artisan eyewear maker crafts frames by hand—from prototyping to finishing—using acetate, metal, wood, horn, or bio-based materials. They master shaping techniques, CNC machining, and increasingly, 3D printing. Their playground: independent workshops, niche brands, and collaborations with fashion designers or couturiers. The MOF Eyewear School in Morez has been training these professionals since 2011, with a catalog now expanded to include 3D printing modules.

The Bachelor's degree in Eyewear Design at the Institut Supérieur d'Optique (ISO) also trains individuals who want to create their own brand, develop a collection, design using CAD/CAM software, and adopt an eco-responsible approach. A hybrid profile combining craftsmanship, industrial design, and entrepreneurship!

New jobs in the optical industry: tech, data and AI

This is the emerging frontier, still largely undefined, but already very real in the major groups of the sector.

Optical engineers design and refine optical instruments—from ophthalmic lenses to cameras embedded in smart glasses, and including augmented reality systems. Their role positions them at the heart of technological innovation, with an attractive starting salary and broad career prospects in R&D, production, or project management.

At EssilorLuxottica, Zeiss, Hoya, and Essilor, R&D teams are recruiting materials engineers , physical chemists , and data scientists capable of analyzing vision data collected by new connected devices. These profiles didn't exist in the industry ten years ago, but they are now a structural component.

Finally, the rise of smart glasses with embedded AI is creating a new need: developers specializing in wearable tech , capable of designing the software interfaces that allow communication between the lens, the sensor, the AI, and the user. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs 2025 report, more than 60% of employers expect AI and digital technologies to transform their businesses by 2030—and the optical industry is no exception.

What this implies for training and recruitment in the optical professions

The optical sector, particularly in retail, has long been represented by the BTS optician-eyewear qualification. Today, post-BTS pathways are multiplying—professional degrees, bachelor's degrees, specialized university diplomas, master's degrees in management or vision science—and the profiles sought by manufacturers now combine optics, digital technology, biology, design, and data.

For practicing opticians, this diversification is also an opportunity: training in advanced refraction, low vision, fitting complex lenses, or advising on smart glasses means expanding their practice, building customer loyalty—and giving new meaning to a profession undergoing rapid change. And ultimately, continuing to give meaning, ever more meaning, to their career!

Featured Photo Credits: Ksenia Chernaya