On-site Optical The Art Of Making Eyewear

By Author: Mel Joelle
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Simply put, an optician is a health care professional who provides corrective lenses based on a prescreption prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Corrective lenses can come in the form of either contact lenses or eyeglasses (spectacles). The job of the optician is to convert the prescription into a custom-designed opthalmic lens. The definition might be simple but the actual conversion takes an enormous amount of consultation, skill and craft. An optician will consult with patients to design eyewear that best meet their needs by gathering information about the patient on the use of the eyewear, their level of activity, the necesity of protection and the contour of facial features and the eye. Opticians use a variety of instrumentation ranging from simple measuring gadgets to more complex examination devices. This allows the optician to produce a custom design, fitting and dispensing of the eyewear to meet the specific needs of individual patients. Using the prescription from an optometrist or ophthalmologist, the optician, they use a number of techniques and equipment that will give the necessary correction to an ...
... individual's eyesight. Opticians also design and fit special lenses to correct cosmetic, traumatic or anatomical defects. Successful corrective eyewear hinges greatly on the skill and the craft of opticians to ensure comfort, taste preferences, functionality and design.

Opticians may work in a variety of settings such as independent or joint practice, hospitals, eye care centers or retail stores. However, registered opticians have to meet standards of practice and training, commit to ongoing education, hold professional liability insurance and are held to these standards by their respective regulating bodies. The most advantageous arena is to locate opticians who provide services within an eye care center and work in conjuction with other eye care professionals such as optometrists, ophthalmologists and technicians. These services are provided within the context of larger eye care centers and also known as on-site optical departments. The advantages of an on-site optical department is that the optician has easy accessibility to other eye care professionals and co-workers, allowing the optician to troubleshoot any problems or obstacles that might arise from patients.

For example, Austin County Eye Associates provides one of the best on-site optical departments in Central Texas. The department is run by John Orlowsky, an ABO Certified Optician who works in conjunction with Dr. Beckwith, Optometrist and other eye care professionals to provide a high standard of optical services to Sealy, Bellville, Columbus, Katy and surrounding communities.

ABO is the acronym for American Board of Opticianry which is affiliated with the NCLE, National Contact Lens Examiners, which are national not-for-profit organizations for the voluntary certification of ophthalmic dispensers. Both organizations have the same purpose: to identify qualified ophthalmic dispensers for the public and for the ophthalmic community by certifying those who pass the professionally developed examinations. They also encourage growth of optical skills with continuing education and approve continuing education programs for recertification. ABO and NCLE are also accredited by NCCA, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. In effect, NCCA is a certifying agency for certifying agencies; NCCA accreditation requires no examinations to obtain, but a strict set of criteria must be met and maintained to get and keep the credential.

These high standards are reflected in the practice and with every patient visit to the on-site optical department of Austin County Eye Associates. John Orlowsky works hand-in-hand with Dr. Beckwith and others to ensure the prescription is seamlessly converted into perfectly customized eyewear. Any potential problems that arise out of the on-site optical department will assuredly be rectified immediately by any number of on-site eye care professionals who work closely with the optician.

There are a variety of eyewear brands to choose from including 9 West, Oakley, Marchon, Nautica, Maui Jim, Silhouette, Safilo, Takumi and Flexon to name a few. High-end designer brands are also available. The optician will assist every patient with choosing the most appropriate frame in terms of fashion, fit, comfort, durability and design. The optician will not only work with patients to ensure that the most suitable eyewear is choosen initially, he is also available to make any adjustments, refittings at later dates.
Click here to read the rest of On-Site Optical, The Art of Making Eyewear. If you enjoyed this article, you also might like our other stories about Austin County Eye Care.