09/30/2026

New Perspectives: Savanna’s Story

What began as a search for a steady career grew into a genuine passion for helping people see their best. Savanna shares what she loves about opticianry, the challenges facing the profession today, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

What first brought you into Opticianry- and what has kept you in the profession? 

1. I got into opticianry because I was a young mother looking for a good, steady career that would allow me to provide for my family. At first, I was simply looking for an opportunity and a stable job, but over time, opticianry became so much more than that. I learned to truly love what I do and the difference I can make in people’s lives by helping them see their best. What has kept me in this field is my passion for it and the fact that I continue to learn something new every day. Opticianry has given me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, and I’m proud of the career I chose.

What is one thing about being an optician that you wish the public better understood? 

2. One thing I wish the public understood about opticianry is just how precise and important our measurements are. Every measurement we take is specific to the individual and plays an important role in making sure their glasses provide the clearest and most comfortable vision possible. Measurements such as pupillary distance, optical centers, segment heights, and frame positioning all need to be accurate because even small differences can affect how someone sees and feels in their glasses. Our goal isn’t simply to put lenses into a frame—it’s to make sure those lenses are properly aligned and customized so our patients can see well, feel comfortable, and continue seeing their best.

What has been the most rewarding moment, or type of moment in your career so far? 

3.There are so many rewarding moments in opticianry, but some of the most meaningful are the moments when you know you’ve truly made a difference in someone’s life. One of my favorites is when a child puts on glasses for the first time and you watch their face light up as they experience clear vision for the first time. Another is helping an elderly patient who has lost their glasses and can no longer read—especially when reading is something they love and enjoy. Being able to give someone back the ability to see the things they love, whether it’s a child discovering the world clearly for the first time or an older adult getting back to their favorite book, is what makes this career so rewarding. 

What do you think is the biggest opportunity or challenge facing Opticianry? 

4. I feel one of the biggest challenges in opticianry today is the rise of online eyewear ordering. People often think ordering glasses online is so simple—just pick a frame, enter your prescription, and have them delivered to your door. However, there is so much more that goes into properly fitting and dispensing a pair of glasses. We see many patients who come into our office after ordering online and their glasses don’t fit properly, have incorrect measurements, or simply don’t provide the vision they need. While there are certainly occasions when online glasses work out just fine, they don’t always account for the individualized measurements, adjustments, and personal needs that an optician considers. It can be challenging to correct an online purchase after the fact, but it also gives us an opportunity to educate patients about the value of personalized care and why proper measurements and fitting are so important.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone entering Opticianry today, what would it be? 

5. The biggest piece of advice I could give someone learning opticianry is to listen to your elders and those who have been in the field longer than you. I know we hear that advice all the time, but there is so much value in the experience and knowledge they have gained over the years. You don’t know everything, and that’s okay—that’s how you learn and grow. Be willing to listen to other people’s advice, learn from their experiences, and never be afraid to ask questions. Some of the best lessons in opticianry come from simply being willing to learn from the people around you.