Lensometer

[deecoco]

Hi I been posting questions about the NYS Practical exam...havent received too much info!! come on guys help out an old lady AKA (old dog, trying to learn new tricks)..... anyway one more question...does anyone know if the NYS Practical test has you read a manual lensometer or a automated one?

[gemstone]

(Here I said something like this.)

I don't know much about the NY state test, but if you are not comfortable with a manual lensmeter you should not be taking any state test.

[deecoco]

actually I have been trained ONLY on the manual lensometer....and Dont know much about the Automated one! but thanks for your kind words....of encouragement!:(

[Chris Ryser]

If you learn to neutralize lenses properly you will understand every lensometer without any problem. :finger:

[Fezz]

I sure hope they don't ask any trick questions about reading power on a FOCIMETER.





Focimeter=Lensometer. Don't be fooled. It may come up?

[HarryChiling]

Adjust your eye piece, common mistake rookies make.
The add power is the difference between the Front Vertex powers of the reading and distance, don't give the difference between the back vertex differenes.
Check for prism, both in the lens and before you start neutralizing!!!!
know where to check for power, prism, and add on a progressive lens


That should do, good luck.

[gemstone]

Really, GOOD LUCK!!

[deecoco]

I am sorry for posting..I thought this was a forum to help each other out...not make rude remarks and poke fun....I didnt say I was intimidated by anything! I was just merely asking a simple question...so from now on I will just lurk and read/learn from some of the comments that arent derogatory...thank you to those that gave sound advise!

[HarryChiling]

deecoco, the question was both a good one and relevant as their may be others from you state that come to find this thread and gain some insight from what you will have learned. It is true that if you are intimidated by an automated lensometer than you may want to reconsider the test, but it is obvious you were just looking for some advice on how to approach ths test and even the bad advice has some truth to it. Take it as advice to go into the test with confidence that what you know and have learned is what you are going to show them. To his day I always go into tests with so much confidence that my wife ends up calling me a cocky SOB, but it does help me to get through it and to shake the butterflys. Again Good Luck.

[gemstone]

Here I said something about being thin skinned. I honestly dont remember exactly. Given the overreaction of deecoco it seemed to me that they were being thin skinned and should try something easier than the optical business.

[Johns]

. This is not a profession for the thin skinned. !

Now I'm confused!

Aren't we talking about opticianry here?

Thick skin?

You're kidding me right?

I don't know what kind of opticianry you practice, but all I do is sell, fit, and adjust glasses; do a few contact lens fittings, and make a few lenses.
No thick skin required for what I do.

When I took the Fla. exam, I studied lensometry like I'd never seen one in my life. I spent hours and hours on "Laws and Regulations" (probably the easiest section of the test). I studied Prentice's Rule like my life depended on it -even though I know it like the back of my hand. Who knows what to study, and how much?

Deecoco's question may have sounded simple to us "know-it-alls", but try to remember what it was like before we were so superior to everyone else.;)

[deecoco]

I have been in the Eyecare/Optical (family) business since the age of 17, having my ABO since 1984. I am now 47. I have taken a 10 yr. hiatus to raise my family. In that 10 yrs. I understand most of the optical stores/businesses are moving toward automated lensometers. I have not had the opportunity to work with the automated lensometer yet. I am studying everyday for my practical and I can assure you will go into the test with the utmost confidence! The same way I went in for my teaching degree! Thin skinned ??? no def. not me! dissapointed in humanity?? perhaps!

[gemstone]

I can't remember again here. I am prety sure I had given some frank sincere advice. I was by now wishing I had not clicked in on this thread.

[Johns]

Ironically, many of us would proudly admit that we have never operated an autolensometer, due to the fact that they are often innaccurate, and seem to have been invented for use by receptionists under the employment of MDs.:D

[deecoco]

your an ***

[gemstone]

your an ***
sorry.

[Johns]

your an ***

*** = oxe ?
axe?
ore?
ace?
oaf?
elf?


I'm confused as to the title you've assigned me.

[gemstone]

Here I said to Johns that he got caught in the crossfire and I was the ***. By the way I think calling me an *** is against the rules.

[deecoco]

John from the likes of your replies... I would say your an ACE! Thank you:)

[Jacqui]

:idea: :idea: :idea: Find an equipment dealer that has one in stock and explain your situation to them. I bet there would be some help as you may later be in a position to specify purchasing thier product.

I have never taken a state exam, but if I did I'd be ready for both.

[HarryChiling]

Articles on lensometry

http://www.opticourier.com/1webmagazine/2006/07jul/content/equipment/index.asp

http://www.nfos.org/degree/opt21/module_13a.html

http://www.optometric.com/mtotw/tip.asp?tip=218

http://www.eyetec.net/group6/M31START.htm

http://www.eyetec.net/group4/M17START.htm

I hope these help.

[Framebender]

that you don't stop posting. I've never used an autolensometer either and have no desire to. I would bet that the state test will include manual but not auto. Lenny or one of the other NY folks should be able to answer for sure.

Its nice to know that there are others who are living proof that nobody works as cheap as your own kids.

Good luck to you!!

:cheers:

[ziggy]

deecoco, have you called the state board? When I was considering getting a KY license I contacted the state and they told me the types and models of the equipment used. for example B&L mod 70 or Marco 101. Dont pay any attention to some of these guys, some of them ALWAYS have thier panties in a bunch.

[Happylady]

Please don't give up on this board. Most people here are very helpful and not rude at all. :)

I can do you one better, I have never even seen an automatic lensometer. I have no idea how to use one, though I think I could figure it out if I had the instruction book.

I thought your question was very reasonable.

[gemstone]

Please don't give up on this board. Most people here are very helpful and not rude at all. :)

I can do you one better, I have never even seen an automatic lensometer. I have no idea how to use one, though I think I could figure it out if I had the instruction book.

I thought your question was very reasonable.

I agree , please, keep posting.

[chip anderson]

Automated instruments exist so that establishments can hire unskilled employees. Learn on manual ones.

[Barry Santini]

Adjust your eye piece, common mistake rookies make.Harry, I disagree,. and have an alternate approach I think a manual lensmeter should have its focus/power wheel set to absolute *plano* (0.00), and then adjust theeyepiece to make the *target* (forget the retcicle) to be as sharp as possible.

This method will automatically compensate for any lack of proper power calibration in the instrument being used.

Your thoughts?

Barry

[HarryChiling]

Harry, I disagree,. and have an alternate approach I think a manual lensmeter should have its focus/power wheel set to absolute *plano* (0.00), and then adjust theeyepiece to make the *target* (forget the retcicle) to be as sharp as possible.

This method will automatically compensate for any lack of proper power calibration in the instrument being used.

Your thoughts?


Interesting, but in a test I don't think I would be messing with the tried and true, they may be testing her on the process as well.

It is very interesting though. I would assume that the target wold be in focus and if the lensmeter is not calibrated than that is an issue in and of itself.

I usually place a piece of paper in the lensmeter and adjust the eyepiece from most negative to positive, the purpose is so that when I am looking thorugh the eyepiece my eye does not try and accomadate to bring the reticle into focus.

[Johns]

I would assume that the target wold be in focus and if the lensmeter is not calibrated than that is an issue in and of itself.


Assume ? On a test ?



Gutsy !

[HarryChiling]

Assume:hammer: , They wouldn't give you an uncalibrated lensometer would they?

That's just mean.

If the machine were off by a significant amount wouldn't you get a headache from your eye accomadating back and forth from the reticle and the target? Wouldn't it be much easier to unscrew the marker on the side of the lensometer and adjust it so that zero is in focus? Surely there are better ways to jerry rig a lensometer, and I doubt they would give you a lensometer that needs jerry rigging, and if they do RUN and run fast because opticanry is going to h*ll.

[Johns]

Assume:hammer: , They wouldn't give you an uncalibrated lensometer would they?

That's just mean.


In preparing for the Fla boards, especially the practical portion, we were told that the only the we should assume is that everything would be need to be adjusted to the user (by the user), and that every frame and lens would be mismarked (a bridge marked "20" could actually be "16"). This was to reinforce in us that everything must be measured/remeasured, and all instruments must be adjusted.

Of course, the lensometer wouldn't be out of calibration as that it would need to be disassembled - it would probably just need the eyepiece adjusted.

[HarryChiling]

In preparing for the Fla boards, especially the practical portion, we were told that the only the we should assume is that everything would be need to be adjusted to the user (by the user), and that every frame and lens would be mismarked (a bridge marked "20" could actually be "16"). This was to reinforce in us that everything must be measured/remeasured, and all instruments must be adjusted.

Of course, the lensometer wouldn't be out of calibration as that it would need to be disassembled - it would probably just need the eyepiece adjusted.

That's dirty, marking the frames differently, at least they warn you. It would be funny if you came into your exam and the lensometer was in pieces :D .

[Johns]

That's dirty, marking the frames differently, at least they warn you. It would be funny if you came into your exam and the lensometer was in pieces :D .


As it was explained to us, they would get donations from companies of products that hadn't passed final inspections.

[Barry Santini]

Interesting, but in a test I don't think I would be messing with the tried and true, they may be testing her on the process as well.

It is very interesting though. I would assume that the target wold be in focus and if the lensmeter is not calibrated than that is an issue in and of itself.

I agree...on a test, the conventional method.

In the field, we're interested in as precise a reasing as a manual lensmeter will render. My method fully compensates for an miscalibration in focus...the retcile be damned!

Barry

[Aarlan]

I usually place a piece of paper in the lensmeter and adjust the eyepiece from most negative to positive, the purpose is so that when I am looking thorugh the eyepiece my eye does not try and accomadate to bring the reticle into focus.


The white piece of paper may not be as accurate as setting the power drum to '0' (just as in the keratometer you should use the calibrated steel balls of known radius of curvature rather than the white paper test). The opticianry program here in CT preaches the setting the power drum to '0' method. The explanation they gave was that occasionally you can use the white paper method and still have the equip register a slight + or - power with no lens, and that the '0' method is more accurate. I believe it is the preferred method for the state licensing exam here (although I believe the white paper method is still acceptable) from what I remember.

But the turning a clockwise direction from the most counterclockwise postition (as well as KEEPING YOUR OTHER EYE OPEN!!!! Geez that's a hard one to teach!) is still necessary, as you said.

AA

[deecoco]

Thanks everyone for the great advise! I was also taught to set the power drum to 0. BUT, many many many yrs. ago, I was also taught to read the lensometer in plus cylinder form then transpose.:eek: This was a bit confusing to me when I was retaught -cyl. form! :confused: and now they throw in an automated one! jeez! I'll either be ready for anything they throw at me OR be totally confused!!!;)

[Agnitio]

If you have a bad drink at a bar do you leave straight away or order another one hoping for better service? Or if ithere is someone mouthing off in a corner do you leave because of them or just ignore them?

The same rules apply to a forum.

Put the $H1TTY posts behind you never to be discussed again and look forward to the intelligent, informative, helpful thought provoking posts that await you.

Good luck with your exam, and as said before, if you can manage a manual focimeter/lensometer you'll be fine with the auto. :cheers: