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1. |
How do I become a Certified or a Licensed Optician? |
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a. |
Certification of Opticians is done nationally by the American Board of
Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners. More information can be
found by visiting their site at: http://www.abo-ncle.org/
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b.
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State Licensing requirements vary state to state and only about half of the
states require a license. Consult your state’s Government to find out
information about professional licensing.
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2. |
I always seem to run out of time for getting my continuing education credits,
how can I find out where classes are being held? |
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a.
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One of the greatest sources of information you have are the Sales Reps that
visit your practice. Many of the Frame, Lens, Lab, and Contact Lens Reps conduct
classes for C.E. credit or they know when classes are being held. The best part
is that these classes are typically at no charge to you since you are their
customer.
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b.
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If you are able to travel to a Regional or National Conference this is an
opportunity for you to get all of the credits you need in one spot in a
relatively short amount of time. For example, VisionExpo East and VisionExpo
West both offer an abundance of classes that will satisfy even the most
stringent of state licensing requirements.
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3. |
I have difficulty getting a temple cover back on after I shorten the length is
there an easy way to handle this? |
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a.
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Make sure you cut the temple at a 45 degree angle because this helps when you
place the temple cover back on since it reduces resistance.
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b.
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Another trick is to heat up 2 or 3 inches of the end of the temple to help the
cover go on smoother.
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4. |
My UV solution doesn’t seem to last as long as it should because it looks
dirty, how can I keep this from happening? |
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a.
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The reason this typically happens is because the person who is tinting lenses
uses the same lens holder for the tints as they do for the UV. The holder gets
traces of the tints on it every time it is used so by using it in the UV as well
it contaminates it quicker. Simply segregate one lens holder that is going to be
used just for the UV and you will get more life out of it.
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5. |
How do I know if there is a scratch resistant coating on the lenses? |
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a.
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If there is an A.R. coating on the lenses most new lenses use a scratch coating
as a base so that the A.R. adheres well to the lenses.
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b
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If there is no A.R. coating one simple test is to dip the lenses in some water.
When you pull the lenses out if the water runs off of it then there is a scratch
coating.
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6. |
I just final inspected some lenses and I am not sure if they are within
tolerance, where can I find information to check them? |
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a.
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ANSI standards are the accepted guidelines for verifying prescription lenses.
Consult your laboratory for a copy of these standards. They can also be
purchased directly from ANSI, you can find additional information at
http://www.ansi.org/.
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7. |
What is Prentice Rule and why do I need to know it? |
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a.
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Prentice’s Rule determines how much deviation you get by looking off center of a
lens. SO if the patients pupil is not directly behind the optical center this
induces a certain amount of deviation or prism. The prismatic power depends on
how much deviation and the power of the lens. Deviation in prism diopters (PD) =
h (cm) x F where F = power of the lens and h = distance from the optical center
of the lens.
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b.
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For example, if the patient’s Mono P.D. is 35 mm and the Optical center is set
at 30 mm this creates 5mm of deviation. If the Power is +2.00 then we would
multiply 5 * 2 =10. Since the formula is in cm we need to compensate since we
measure spectacles in mm and divide our deviation by 10, therefore 10/10 = 1. So
we have 1 diopter of prism.
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8. |
The term Low Vision seems to be getting a lot of press right now but I am
confused as to what the term means, where can I find out information about it? |
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a.
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As the Baby Boomers continue to age Low Vision will continue to be explored and
the product offering s will continue to expand. There are many articles posted
on-line at sites such as www.LowVision.com that can help you gain a better
understanding of Low Vision and how your office can help to treat it.
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