The OptiCon General Session, “Dream Big: The Future of Opticianry in the 21st Century,” brought together attendees at Vision Expo West on Thursday, September 18, for a discussion on emerging trends shaping the profession. Hosted by the United Opticians Association, the main stage program featured David Friedfeld, president and co-owner of ClearVision Optical, who outlined the history of opticianry, how the profession is evolving, and the opportunities that market shifts present.
Friedfeld shared insights on industry direction, offering strategies for career growth, role expansion, and business success in a rapidly changing environment.
Here, EB shares some key takeaways from the presentation.
Separation of Roles
Remote exams and online refraction tools are reshaping how prescriptions are obtained, giving opticians more independence from prescribers.
“If you’re an optician, you can have your own location right now with a remote doctor,” said Friedfeld. “You can take a remote exam and get all your pretesting done with a tech.”
Remote exams are changing how prescriptions are obtained, allowing opticians to run independent practices.
Generational Expansion
Pediatric and geriatric patients present opportunities for bringing the family into a practice.
Early onset myopia is rising, and no one “owns” the kids’ eyewear market yet, according to Friedfeld: “When I asked people, ‘Where do kids get their eyewear?’ I’ll tell you what I usually hear: They buy them at Walmart. If I [ask] Walmart, they say they buy them from the MD,” he explained.
“If the optician begins to own that part of the business, it’s the beginning of bringing more family into that practice,” said Friedfeld. “The geriatric patient also needs their son or daughter to help them understand what's going on—and the same thing with kids: The mom or dad or grandma or auntie is coming in.”
Audio Opportunity
The audiology crossover is emerging as an untapped market. According to Friedfeld, almost 80% of hearing tests are done in optical shops in England, and there are 30 million adults in the United States with an undiagnosed hearing deficiency.
“We sell 80 million pairs of prescription eyewear in the US,” he said. “If we can find, of those 30 million hearing-impaired individuals, just 10%? We won't necessarily improve our sales, but we can start selling different products.”
Beginning with the history of opticianry, exploring the present, and looking to the future, Friedfeld’s presentation highlighted how technology is creating opportunities in opticianry, from AI and automation in testing and lens production to smart eyewear that demands in-person fitting and repair. 3D printing is opening doors for custom, small-scale frame manufacturing, while new roles are emerging—opticians as stylists, personal brand consultants, and trusted service providers.
Despite pressures from managed care and online retail, those who embrace innovation and carve out specialties in style, wellness, and community care are best positioned to thrive.