Posts Tagged ‘Dispensing Optician’

Who’s Who

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011

Visiting the optical practice can be a bewildering, scary, and possibly expensive experience! It’s essential however for the sake of your sight and eye health to make sure you have regular eye examinations, and our professional advice is to see your optician every two years. They may want to see you more often if they are monitoring a specific problem, or you have a general health condition such as Diabetes. So how do you choose where to go, who will you see there, and what do they do?

Firstly, do your research. Word of mouth is an excellent way to choose an Optician, as this is a fairly personal, intimate service, and the chances are that like minded friends will be able to suggest someone you would like too! Take a look at their websites – are they friendly, techie, independent or multiple? The multiples are quick, no nonsense, and may have special offers. You won’t however get the same continuity of care that an independent practice will give. Do you need a downstairs consulting room, or someone who is expert in a particular field? Ask around and phone before you go to get these little details straight.

On arrival you will see a receptionist, who may simply direct you around the practice and deal with your paperwork. Or your receptionist may be an Optical Assistant too, who will pre-screen you and answer technical questions about glasses or contact lenses. Bigger practices will have both on their team.

The Optometrist or Optician is fully qualified to test eyes, fit contact lenses, dispense low visual aids, and refer you for further investigation to a consultant. They will check your eye health and your vision, and may be able to diagnose some general health problems too.

If you need new specs or maintenance of your present specs, you’ll see a Dispensing Optician. They are qualified in all technical aspects of specs themselves, and may also be a qualified contact lens fitter. Or the Optical Assistant may be trained to deal with your glasses.

If you’re curious about who’s who here at the Internet Glasses Company, all of our staff are part time in practice, and are qualified Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians and Technicians. This means they have ongoing knowledge of flesh and blood patients in the real world, as well as our online clients in cyber space!

Varifocal Glasses

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Teenage Troubles!

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Everyone knows that for teenagers life can be one long trauma, awash with raging hormones, adolescent angst, and parents who just don’t understand. Amid the confusion, to add to their woes, this may be a time when sight changes and they need glasses. If you have a troubled teen at home, take note of a few points about their sight and the correction they might need.

If your teenager is suddenly short sighted, then be supportive and don’t show your dread if they’re told they need glasses. You may not want your little Princess to have to wear specs, but projecting your feelings onto them won’t help. Offer an opinion when selecting styles, but recognise that their friends or the dispensing optician will have constructive things to say too.

Investing in a frame that they love may colour their lifelong attitude to wearing glasses, so it may take a little time and money to find something they are happy with. Thinned lenses may cost a little extra, but what price the self-esteem of a teenager? Spec wearers can be a target for bullies, so keeping confidence high and making sure they are proud of their specs can save a lot of heartache.

Contact lenses can be fitted from childhood onwards, so if your teen is sporty, consider this option. They need to be motivated to wear them but offering this choice can make sure they are relaxed about sight correction, and wearing contacts for some of the time can make spec wear more appealing too – all teenagers love experimenting with different looks!

The NHS supply a voucher up to age nineteen (if in full time education) which should cover the cost of spec lenses. If you’ve used this, online suppliers can be a useful option for low cost extra pairs. Frames are funky nowadays, so with a little patience and shopping around you should be able to find a style they love. The geek look is

cool right now – just don’t tell them it’s like the old NHS pair you had to wear!

Varifocal Glasses

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Examining the Experts

Sunday, January 23rd, 2011

At the Internet Glasses Company we’re proud of the work we do and our profession. We believe that there’s room within our industry for High Street Opticians and those of us here in Cyberspace. We use our years of experience and expertise dealing with patients face to face to supply you with perfect specs even though you buy them online. So who’s here looking after you behind the scenes, and what do we do with your order?

The First Port of Call – The Dispensing Optician:

“My job is to look at your order and envisage your finished specs. I check your prescription, and the measurements provided to make sure it all looks ok and that it makes sense! I’ll contact clients by phone or e-mail if I need to query anything. I also need to make sure that the frame is suitable for the lenses, and the size looks logical compared to patient measurements. The Ophthalmic Optician and I check the orders before processing……

The Second Check – The Ophthalmic Optician:

“I oversee your orders and double check the work my Dispenser does. They deal with the technical issues of specs married to lenses; I back up their assessment of the prescription and make sure it looks correct. We look for potential problems together, and I also deal with your mail or phone enquiries relating to queries on eye health issues or lens power.

Work begins – The Workshop Technician:

“I select the correct lenses, order frames if necessary, and finally cut your lenses and put the glasses together. At each step of the way my assistants and the Dispensing Optician are watching the progress of jobs and checking the work. We have to adhere strictly to British Standards and make sure our measurements and lens powers are spot on.”

Ready for Dispatch – The Dispensing Optician:

Before your glasses leave our Lab, they go through the final quality control checks to make sure we haven’t missed anything! We also set the frames straight, making sure they are shaped to fit your head, and give the lenses a final polish. When we’re happy we hand them onto dispatch for packing.”

At Home – Your New Glasses:

“I got my new specs last week, popped through the letterbox and waiting when I got home from work. Finally I can read at night again, and in a rather snazzy Oscar & Fitch funky frame too. They’re light and comfy and I’m really please with the service, which was speedy and very easy.”

Varifocal Glasses

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Good Looking Glasses online

Friday, September 10th, 2010

If you need strong spectacle lenses to correct your sight, you probably know that you have to take a little more time before you make a decision on your glasses. A dispensing optician can guide you through the choices, but if you want to buy online the options can be daunting. Here are a few pointers to give you some ideas, and remember we’re always happy to help via e-mail or on the phone.

If you are short sighted, your lens power will have a minus sign in front of it. Your lenses will be thicker at the edges than in the middle, and may have unsightly white reflecting rings around them. From about power -4.00, a thinner lens material will help to reduce thickness and weight. Adding an anti-reflection layer will cut down those dreaded bottle-bottom reflections and improve appearance.

If you are long sighted, your lens power will have a plus sign. Your lenses are thicker in the centre, and thin at the edge. Your lenses will magnify your eyes, and from about +2.00 a flatter lens design will help to minimise thickness, weight, and the magnification of your eyes.  Again an anti-reflection layer will help to make the lenses appear thinner when people look at you.

Whatever your prescription, flatter lenses will help, so look for aspheric lenses, where we change the optics of the lenses to reduce the curve while still giving you the strength you need. Choosing a small frame will also help, reducing lens thickness and weight. For long sighted patients we can also make the lenses to fit the frame, rather than cutting them out of a large lens to start with. Making the lens with your frame in mind reduces the centre thickness and makes it flatter.

If you’re short sighted, a plastic frame will disguise edge thickness and look trendy! A rimless or thin metal will leave all your edge thickness on full display. If you’re long sighted, your lens edges will be thin, so you can choose a metal, but rimless or semi-rimless will make the edges of your lenses vulnerable to chipping or breaking. So think about the practicalities before you fall in love with a frame – you might not love it after the lenses are fitted if they look thick or are heavy.

So, a little time spent before you press that enter key and make your purchase will ensure that you love your new look. If you want our opinion on your choice, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to help you look good as well as see perfectly!

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The Perfect Marriage

Monday, May 10th, 2010

When it comes to making glasses, it’s not quite as straightforward as clipping a lens into a frame and sending the wearer your blessings! For the specs to give perfect vision, look good and feel comfortable, you need the perfect marriage of suitable frame, lens design and material and coatings.

Every optical establishment needs a qualified Optometrist and a Dispensing Optician in residence. The first step is for the Optometrist to look at your prescription and make sure it makes sense with reference to your age, optical history, and visual needs. Here at the InternetGlassesCompany we have a fully professional team who verify prescriptions and check with clients if anything looks amiss. Does the power ring true for your age? If there is a difference between your two eyes does it seem likely? While every prescription is different we do get some orders that would be a miracle of science!!

The next step is for the Dispenser to look at the choice of lens material and frame. For instance – a high plus prescription may be problematic in a rimless frame as the lens edges will be thin and may chip over time. A high minus strength will be very thick in a huge frame. They also look at your pupil distance, because if you’re petite and your eyes are close together, the lenses will be thick in a big frame. If they don’t think your choices would work they contact you to suggest alternatives.

They then consider your lens choice in relation to your prescription. Are Varifocals really suitable? Will a specific lens type be very heavy? Do you really need thin materials? Again, we occasionally have to verify with the client before we go ahead. It’s not in your interest or ours to produce a finished article that just won’t work.

When the order reaches the Lab, they again will look through everything and check that the glasses will do the job. Sometimes the Dispensing Optician will have sought their advice on technical aspects of lens finishing etc before they pass the job on.

When the glasses have been completed, success is once again assessed. If we didn’t foresee a potential problem then we start all over again!  Our precious work is shipped off to you with our congratulations on your choices, and we wish you happy ever after with them!

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Jobs for the Boys – and Girls!

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

A career in Optics is often not a chosen path; it’s hardly as high profile as being a Vet or a Doctor. If the current job market has made you re-think your career, then why not take a look at Optics? Here are the job descriptions of a typical optical team:

Ophthalmic Optician – Optometrist – This is the person qualified to test eyes and fit and dispense contact lenses. Daily routine involves testing sight, analysing results, referrals to the Hospital eye service, dispensing glasses and contact lenses. Some opticians are involved in fields like Sports Vision, work with Dyslexics, or therapeutic contact lenses. Three year degree course, one year pre-registration in practice, then professional exams. Continuing education training throughout career.

Dispensing Optician – this is the person qualified in the technical aspects of dispensing glasses. Daily routine involves dispensing consultations with clients, ordering spectacle lenses, fitting and advising on glasses and lenses. Three year part time study to Diploma level in practice, Continuing education training throughout career. Colleges do different formats of dispensing/marketing degrees, check websites for details.

Contact Lens Dispenser – A qualified Dispensing optician who is also qualified to fit contact lenses. Daly routine involves initial fitting and aftercare of all aspects of contact lens wear. One year study part time while working in practice. Continuing education training throughout career.

Optical Assistant – may or may not be qualified, there are part time study courses and in house training. Daily routine involves pre-screening patients before they see the Optometrist, dispensing, fitting, and adjusting specs.

Spectacle Technician – Usually trained in house. Daily routine involves ordering lenses, cutting lenses into frames, repairing and altering spectacles.

Trained staff also fulfils other roles – company Reps for lenses, frames and contact lenses, advisory positions for traders, technicians and advisors for wholesale and manufacture. Fancy giving it a go? Try sending your CV to individual practices or offering your services for work experience. Apply direct to the colleges for courses. Entry levels vary.

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Third Time Lucky!

Monday, September 14th, 2009

I know we all listen to advice from our friends and relations, and generally, going by their experiences and ideas helps us to make choices. Well, I wish I hadn’t listened! My life has changed thanks to my new varifocals, so here’s what I’ve learnt for myself!

My Mum had tried varifocals, and so had my Dad. Now admittedly this was a while ago, and I know things change, but they had ended up spending out on glasses they couldn’t use, and getting very frustrated going back to their bifocals. I was not looking forward to reaching the milestone of needing glasses for reading. My optician said that I was quite young (39 and a half!) to need readers, but need them I did, and for a while sticking my specs on for small print worked just fine.

As I use a VDU more and more, I now can’t cope with taking glasses on and off. So I did some online research and talked to the dispensing optician at the practice I usually visit. I found out a couple of reasons why they probably didn’t work for Mum and Dad. In Dad’s case, he tried them twenty years ago, and varifocal lenses were very different then. He needed them for his desk job, and the way they were made in those days meant they were great for drivers etc, but not so good at work. Times have now changed, and lenses are even specifically designed for computer users.

With Mum, she suffers from neck problems, so she couldn’t make the lenses work with her posture. Nowadays they might give her a different lens design, or measure them to suit her individual needs. I was still worried about taking the plunge – times are hard and varifocals are not the cheapest. Lots of online opticians don’t make them, so I was pleased to find the IGC, and when I mailed them an optician rang me back. He said that if I didn’t like them he’d have them back! I felt confident to give them a go – and I’ve never looked back. I don’t even think about my specs now, I just keep them on. I might even persuade Mum and Dad to try again – assuming it wasn’t just that I’m third time lucky in our family!

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Men Matter!

Monday, July 20th, 2009

As magazines tempt the ladies with the colour of the season or the look for summer, us chaps are often overlooked when it comes to style advice. So why should it all be about them? I had a chat with the dispensing optician from the IGC to get the low down on what men really want……

“I’m pleased to report that nowadays men are much braver at talking about the fashion aspect of eyewear, where once upon a time they only wanted to know about technical aspects of lenses and frames. Even real men wear moisturiser! Blokes are more willing to appear a little vain and mail me for advice on colour or shapes.”

I asked the crucial question – Do men like wearing specs? “I think most would rather wear specs than contacts, men are not used to messing around with faces like women, we’re all used to putting make up or plucking our eyebrows. Men like the minimum fuss approach to their daily routine. Lots of orders are from men who’ve given up lens wear and want to go back to specs.”

Is that a financial issue? Due to the downturn?

“Not entirely. Some just like the serious look for work, and lots get dry eyes from their computers while wearing lenses.”

Do they spend more than girls?!!

“Plenty do! Girls like disposable fashion, and to keep up with the latest trend. Boy’s seem to stick to classic style, but will splash out on a Gucci or Hugo Boss. The quality and technical detail appeal to them.”

Any advice for boys choosing new glasses?

“Think about colour – don’t just stick to boring black or brown. A flash of colour, like having a funky suit lining, is cool. Or a chic navy is a conservative but still slightly different option. As you don’t have the accessory or jewellery options that women do, use your eye wear to make a statement. If you buy online, go for trying frames at home before you make a commitment. It helps you to be that little bit braver.”

Thanks to the IGC dispenser for her thoughts, and she helped me to pick a cool metal frame. Mail anytime if you need the woman’s perspective on your eye wear – and remember – girls do make passes at boys who ear glasses!

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See Your Hundredth Birthday!

Sunday, May 17th, 2009

Even if you’re a fitness freak or a gym bunny, the one aspect of health you may not have thought about is looking after your eyes. We all focus on a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and looking after ourselves, but do we pay attention to one of the most important organs in our bodies?

Keeping your eyes healthy is really a matter of prevention, and a few simple steps can go a long way towards preserving your sight and general ocular (eye) health. A vital step is to have regular check ups with a qualified Optician, also called an Optometrist. They recommend tests every two years to check your eye health, tell you if you need glasses, and will even pick up some general health issues too.

If you smoke – give up! Smoking is a factor in the eye disease Macular Degeneration, and as soon as you stop you are halting any damage. Macular Degeneration causes loss of central vision, which means you won’t be able to see to read or drive. It may also be a factor in formation of cataracts.

A good balanced diet will obviously help your general health, but can also maintain healthy eyes and vision too. Natural carteniods, found in green leafy vegetables have a positive effect on the retina and therefore protect against Macular problems. If you don’t eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables you might consider taking a supplement to maintain eye health.

There are many supplements on the market. Ingredients to look for are antioxidants, zinc, selenium, Vitamins A, B, C, and E, Lutein and Zeaxanthin. Antioxidants and zinc reduce the risk of Macular Degeneration. Selenium and the Antioxidant vitamins A C and E encourage mucus production, which keeps the soft tissue around the eye – the conjunctiva healthy. Vitamin C may also protect the eyes against cataract formation. Vitamin B complex is vital to healthy function of the Optic nerve. Lutein and Zeaxanthin occur naturally in the retina, the light sensitive layer that lines the back of the eye. These nutrients protect the retina by absorbing blue light, which can damage the Retina.

You may not have realised that keeping your body fit keeps eyes fit too. It improves oxygen levels in the eyes, and a recent study has shown that children who play outside and therefore focus at long distances are less likely to become myopic (short sighted) They also benefit from being out in natural light too.

If you wear prescription glasses then take good care of them and ensure that they are kept clean and up to date. Talk to the Dispensing Optician when you visit your Optician’s practice to make sure that you have UV protection if necessary, and the correct tints for your needs. They will also help you with protective glasses for sport or at work.

Looking after your eyes takes very little but reaps huge rewards. We’re all living for longer – won’t it be nice to actually see the cake at your hundredth birthday party?!

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