Snellen conversion?

[Johns]

I purchased a remote control projector back in June, installed it, and have had no problems or complaints from the doctors...until now.

I just signed on a newly graduated OD, and although I didn't realize it, the projector lists everything in meters. I didn't think it was a big deal, but this new OD called and asked what I can do about it. (??) Except for buying a new projector, (not an option), there's not much to do.

I asked the other ODs that use it, and they all said they "wing" it. Is this really that big of a deal, or am I missing something. I've got the conversion chart, but the OD finds it difficult to deal with.

Suggestions?

[Barry Santini]

I get the sense that this "newly graduated" OD is also a "just passed by the skin of their teeth"

Yes?

Barry

[Johns]

I get the sense that this "newly graduated" OD is also a "just passed by the skin of their teeth"

Yes?

Barry

I don't know, but it does make me wonder. Either that, or it's just a case of being so new that she doesn't have the "wing it" mind set to be able to deal with changes midstream.

[jpways]

Give them a calculator and tell them to multiply everything by 3.28 (since 1m=3.2808399 ft, though I usually remember it as 3.25, which is close enough as long as the doctor can understand the concept of rounding up to the nearest American VA equivelent), and that they should quit whining.

Option 2, have the doctor write the VAs in metric and do the conversion yourself (probably the option with the least headaches for you)

And I'm guessing that this OD had an average American education that didn't feel the need to expose their students to the metric system, because who uses that?

[OHPNTZ]

Did you set up your exam lane in meters?

[Johns]

Give them a calculator and tell them to multiply everything by 3.28 (since 1m=3.2808399 ft, though I usually remember it as 3.25, but you'll probably have a number of 19/19 patients if you're telling the doctor to use 3.25) and that they should quit whining.

And I'm guessing that this OD had an average American education that didn't feel the need to expose their students to the metric system, because who uses that?

As I mentioned, I've got a chart that was pretty easy to convert (even for me:D), but that was too bothersome for her.

[jpways]

I understood that that it's a doctor intellegence (or lack of) issue, I was trying to suggest a way that the doctor may be able to comprehend, since the simplest concept (the conversion chart) appears to be beyond her.

[Johns]

I understood that that it's a doctor intellegence (or lack of) issue, I was trying to suggest a way that the doctor may be able to comprehend, since the simplest concept (the conversion chart) appears to be beyond her.

No, I think her intelligence is intact, she just may be a little lazy. (And ironically, she's not a product of the US education system, with the exception of a western us optometry college. She was born and raised in Asia.)

[jpways]

I know this is a slighly unrelated aside, but why are VAs, in the US, are in the Imperial (aka English) measurement system while just about everything else we need a length measurement for is in metric? Is there any reason besides tradition?

[fjpod]

I purchased a remote control projector back in June, installed it, and have had no problems or complaints from the doctors...until now.

I just signed on a newly graduated OD, and although I didn't realize it, the projector lists everything in meters. I didn't think it was a big deal, but this new OD called and asked what I can do about it. (??) Except for buying a new projector, (not an option), there's not much to do.

I asked the other ODs that use it, and they all said they "wing" it. Is this really that big of a deal, or am I missing something. I've got the conversion chart, but the OD finds it difficult to deal with.

Suggestions?

It would be like asking you to start taking PDs in inches and measuring frame dimensions in inches, and then converting it all into mm before you send it to the lab.

A quick solution would be to just verify that the 6/6 line is equal in size to what a 20/20 letter should be for your room length, and then just make up a small cheat sheet for the Dr. to read off the equivalent in 20 notation. It's just one of those pain in the neck things. Cripes, there are web sites that walk you through it. That's what I did the last time I had to calibrate a new projector.

[drk]

I think the thing she wants is to be able to look at a line of letters and know what the acuity level is.

Now, how hard can it be to refer to a conversion chart? It CAN'T be hard AT ALL.

I don't get it?

It can't be that hard since we end up having to memorize new charts all the time.

[Johns]

I think the thing she wants is to be able to look at a line of letters and know what the acuity level is.

Now, how hard can it be to refer to a conversion chart? It CAN'T be hard AT ALL.

I don't get it?

It can't be that hard since we end up having to memorize new charts all the time.

That's what I thought...

[fjpod]

Again, I would ask the question...would you like taking PD's and frame measurements in inches and refer to a chart all day long to convert to mm? Or would you just buy the right ruler (projector slide) to use the notation that is customary in your country?

[AdmiralKnight]

I wouldn't like it, but if it was either that or ask my boss to spend thousands of dollars because of my discomfort? I'd suck it up and start learning fractions. :)

[drk]

Again, I would ask the question...would you like taking PD's and frame measurements in inches and refer to a chart all day long to convert to mm? Or would you just buy the right ruler (projector slide) to use the notation that is customary in your country?

Yeah, but what the heck?

How long did it take you to memorize that TZVECL is 20/20? Do you even look at the chart?

What about your near acuity card?

[bob_f_aboc]

Again, I would ask the question...would you like taking PD's and frame measurements in inches and refer to a chart all day long to convert to mm? Or would you just buy the right ruler (projector slide) to use the notation that is customary in your country?

If my employer supplied rulers with inches only, I would go out and buy a ruler that measures in the units I was used to working with. Oh wait, I already did buy my own!

I would be willing to bet that this OD is free to go out and buy all the projectors and slides she wants to in whatever unit of measure she wants. (6/6 meters = 13/13 cubits = 20/20 feet = 48/48 Coach 514 Frame Fronts, the unit of measure isn't the important part as long as it is consistant throughout) It's not the employers job to accomodate every employee whim, espescially if no one else is complaining about this.

If it is too hard to do your job, maybe you should find a new job.

[fjpod]

If my employer supplied rulers with inches only, I would go out and buy a ruler that measures in the units I was used to working with. Oh wait, I already did buy my own!

I would be willing to bet that this OD is free to go out and buy all the projectors and slides she wants to in whatever unit of measure she wants. (6/6 meters = 13/13 cubits = 20/20 feet = 48/48 Coach 514 Frame Fronts, the unit of measure isn't the important part as long as it is consistant throughout) It's not the employers job to accomodate every employee whim, espescially if no one else is complaining about this.

If it is too hard to do your job, maybe you should find a new job.

uhhh... a lack of planning on the part of the employer does not constitute a whim of mine. Where have I heard that before? C'mon guys, don't you see the double standard here? Never mind.

and BTW...I wouldn't work for anybody, except the patient, if my life depended on it.

[bob_f_aboc]

Oh, and Johns! While you are out buying new projectors to satisfy your new OD, would you pick up some paint? I really don't like the color of the walls and I don't want to be bothered with having to not look at them while I'm at work. I know it doesn't bother anyone else, but this is ME we are talking about!

[Johns]

Again, I would ask the question...would you like taking PD's and frame measurements in inches and refer to a chart all day long to convert to mm? Or would you just buy the right ruler (projector slide) to use the notation that is customary in your country?

When you take a PD, do you count out every hash mark...one...by one...by one...? Opticians don't.

In that same vein, and thinking along the same lines as DRK, I would have thought that after a handfull of exams (she did 10 the first day), she could look at a line, see the size, and even w/out looking at the metics on the side, know what it was.

I'm probably assuming too much.


And yes, if the PD stick is a barrier, we could fiugure out a way to procure another. It would be much easier too get a new OD than a new projector.

[fjpod]

When you take a PD, do you count out every hash mark...one...by one...by one...? Opticians don't.

In that same vein, and thinking along the same lines as DRK, I would have thought that after a handfull of exams (she did 10 the first day), she could look at a line, see the size, and even w/out looking at the metics on the side, know what it was.

I'm probably assuming too much.


And yes, if the PD stick is a barrier, we could fiugure out a way to procure another. It would be much easier too get a new OD than a new projector.

Suit yourself, but before you insult someone, I'd walk a mile in their shoes.

[Johns]

Suit yourself, but before you insult someone, I'd walk a mile in their shoes.

Who's insulted?

I only compared a routine task that an optician performs with a routine task an OD performs. Once you do it a few times, you should pretty much have an idea of what you're looking at.

Still don't see the insult...

[bob_f_aboc]

Who's insulted?

I only compared a routine task that an optician performs with a routine task an OD performs. Once you do it a few times, you should pretty much have an idea of what you're looking at.

Still don't see the insult...

Pssssst...He's quoting signature lines.


He said:

uhhh... a lack of planning on the part of the employer does not constitute a whim of mine. Where have I heard that before? C'mon guys, don't you see the double standard here? Never mind.

and BTW...I wouldn't work for anybody, except the patient, if my life depended on it.

because I said:

A lack of planning on your part DOES NOT constitute an emergency on mine!

Then he said:

Suit yourself, but before you insult someone, I'd walk a mile in their shoes.

because you said:

Before you insult someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you be a mile away, and you'll have their shoes.;)

ODd Humor

[Johns]

Pssssst...He's quoting signature lines.

Shheeeez FluffyBob, I know that, but because he was quoting the sig line, I thiought he/she felt insulted.

I'm just trying to cover my A$$ so I don't get locked out of the next OD cocktail party in Vegas. Optigrrl might not be there the next time to throw the lifeline out of the second floor window and let us climb up.

:cheers::cheers:

[obxeyeguy]

I'm just trying to cover my A$$ so I don't get locked out of the next OD cocktail party in Vegas. Optigrrl might not be there the next time to throw the lifeline out of the second floor window and let us climb up.

C'mon dude, it was not that far of a climb, espescially after those 13 trips up the stairs.

[Johns]

C'mon dude, it was not that far of a climb, espescially after those 13 trips up the stairs.

How were we supposed to know that there were 2 tiki bars??