As a basis for providing meaningful job opportunities for the disadvantaged in health occupations, this study has investigated the current number, duties, and education and training of ancillary optometric personnel and the projected need for such employees. The study further describes the type of formal training program required to meet the increased public demand for quality of vision care and postulates career ladders for technical occupations in optometry. A stratified sample of the Nation's practicing optometrists was surveyed by mailed questionnaires. Questions were designed to determine the present and potential utilization of ancillary optometric personnel and to reveal the relation of specific job tasks to requisite levels of education and training and capacity for independent action. This information, in turn, has permitted the grouping of job tasks into various job descriptions. (NTIS)