Does BC still allow optician to refract? are there any restrictions?

[caonimaxuebi]

and how's the condtion in other provice right now

[For-Life]

In BC I think you can refract without any restrictions. In Alberta and Ontario I think you need an OD or an MD to sign off on the form. In Manitoba it is prohibited, especially after the Dr. Ramsay situation.

I may be wrong.

[caonimaxuebi]

In BC I think you can refract without any restrictions. In Alberta and Ontario I think you need an OD or an MD to sign off on the form. In Manitoba it is prohibited, especially after the Dr. Ramsay situation.

I may be wrong.

Thanks. I've checked those websites in different provincial authorities, but none of them had clrearly stated this issue...

[mlm]

In BC I think you can refract without any restrictions. In Alberta and Ontario I think you need an OD or an MD to sign off on the form. In Manitoba it is prohibited, especially after the Dr. Ramsay situation.

I may be wrong.

It's not allowed officially yet in BC, although I see tons of places offering sight testing already. However, the BC government intends to pass the legislation.

What happened in Manitoba?

[The Critical Eye]

and how's the condtion in other provice right now

Two sources to check may be..if not on the website then by email.


http://www.opticians.ca/professionals/

http://www.eyelogic.com/

[mlm]

I just about had a heart attack today.:angry:

Went to check out a brand new grocery store in downtown Vancouver and what do I see? Right at the entrance, there's a frame board with ophthalmic frames and sunglasses. There are nice big signs that advertise Gucci, Armani and so on, and they say they offer prescription glasses, contact lenses and free sight testing. The optician's dispensing and contact lens fitting licenses are displayed. There's a Topcon KR7000 for the sight test.

Is this what the College of Opticians of BC intends to allow with legislated sight testing?

[For-Life]

From my understanding, in Manitoba the sight testing was being done and Dr. Ramsay was signing off on them. He was getting away with it, because he was a MD. Anyways, they clamped down on it and it was stopped.

[HarryChiling]

There's a Topcon KR7000 for the sight test.

Are you saying that an autorefracter is the only source of the Rx or this is a pretest? I have used autorefracters for many offices I have worked for, but it is always followed by a doctor refracting. They are horribly inaccurate.

[Dave Nelson]

No Harry, it is not "just an autorefractor." The system includes a PHOROPTER, a computer, an auto lensometer, and software which runs everything. There is indeed a subjective component to the test, as well as acuities uncorrected, with previous correction, and with new subjective results. There is also a series of checks and graphs printed out to insure reliability. mlm, I am on the board of the College of Opticians, and I can assure you this is NOT what the College had in mind. There are regs which stipulate an optician have a proper office, and use of an autorefractor alone is illegal. If you would be so kind as to let me know the location of this place, and I will begin checking into this sad situation. You can e mail or phone the College direct, or e mail me at daveandallison@gmail.com

[Dave Nelson]

oops I misunderstood Harry's question... it related only to this one particular instance. Just to reiterate, an auto refracter is not permitted as a stand alone instrument to generate prescriptions. A system approved by the College and using software- driven subjective refinement is required, as is certification in use of the equipment.

[mlm]

Harry,

In this particular instance only, yes it seems to be the only source for the sight test. And as I've worked with that particular model before, I agree with you that it's inaccurate.

Dave,
I'll send you a PM.