Army MOS · Medical
68H Optical Laboratory Specialist
Overview
An Optical Laboratory Specialist assembles spectacles using presurfaced single vision lenses. This specialist surfaces multivision lenses, assembles multivision spectacles, repairs and fabricates spectacles, and supervises optical laboratory personnel.
Core Skills
- optical lens fabrication and surfacing
- precision measurement and quality control
- use of optical lab equipment
- prescription interpretation and data entry
- equipment maintenance and calibration
- inventory and material management
- work order and production tracking
- fine motor skills and attention to detail
- safety and infection control procedures
- basic customer service and patient interaction
Civilian Software & Tools
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Eyeglass design software
Civilian Career Paths
- Optometry
- Clinical Technician
- Medical Laboratory
Training & Development
Getting Started
- American Board of Opticianry Basic Certification: National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) · Funded · Promotion points · STAR
- National Contact Lens Examiners Basic Certification: Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE) · Funded · Promotion points
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)
Career Growth
- American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certification (ABOC-AC) · Funded · Promotion points
- National Contact Lens Registry Advanced Certification (NCLE-AC)
- Certified Ophthalmic Executive (COE) · Funded · Promotion points
What the Work Involves
- Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
- Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
- Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
- Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
- Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
Related Occupations
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
- Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: a high school diploma and some on-the-job training.
Formerly Known As (Legacy)
Retired codes that converted into 68H. Each legacy page documents the cited history.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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