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Thread: REFRACTION COURSE or TUTOR NEW YORK CITY

  1. #1
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    REFRACTION COURSE or TUTOR NEW YORK CITY

    Hi, I've been a COA for 15 years working in with a retinal practice. We are going to be moving to do general ophthalmology as well. I do have the understanding of refraction but have no practical experience with it. There are no courses that I can find in NYC to help with basic refractions/manifest. Does anyone know where or who may teach this?? any tutors out there willing to let me come and learn??
    Thanks
    Cristina

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    Underemployed Genius Jacqui's Avatar
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    You'll have to dig through the General Discussion files, but an OD there tried to get people to learn refraction. I don't remember any paticulars about the course. It has been some time ago, so dig deeply.

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    Bad address email on file sharonm516's Avatar
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    If you are working for an ophthalmologist have them teach you....mine did. I learned in about an hour. You perfect it with lots of practice.
    In our ophthalmology practice the techs are responsible for ALL refractions...I have a retinal, refractive surgery, glaucoma, and cataract specialists.

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    Master OptiBoarder rbaker's Avatar
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    You might want to check with The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology:http://www.jcahpo.org/ or The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery http://www.ascrs.org/ as they frequently have courses in refraction.

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    Quote Originally Posted by sharonm516 View Post
    If you are working for an ophthalmologist have them teach you....mine did. I learned in about an hour. You perfect it with lots of practice.
    In our ophthalmology practice the techs are responsible for ALL refractions...I have a retinal, refractive surgery, glaucoma, and cataract specialists.
    Wow. It took me the better part of a year to learn it.

  7. #7
    Bad address email on file sharonm516's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fjpod View Post
    Wow. It took me the better part of a year to learn it.
    Really? I didnt think it was all that difficult once I started...its actually one of the easiest skills I have learned. I also was taught to retinoscope...which I dont like to do as much, but its not too difficult either.

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    Bad address email on file sharonm516's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kowkitty View Post
    Hi, I've been a COA for 15 years working in with a retinal practice. We are going to be moving to do general ophthalmology as well. I do have the understanding of refraction but have no practical experience with it. There are no courses that I can find in NYC to help with basic refractions/manifest. Does anyone know where or who may teach this?? any tutors out there willing to let me come and learn??
    Thanks
    Cristina
    I find it unusual that you were with a retinal specialist for this long and never refracted. My retinal specialist wont even touch a phoropter...lol

  9. #9
    Master OptiBoarder rbaker's Avatar
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    Every ophthalmologist and every practice is different. I do find that most MD's will use their ancillary personnel to the extent that they have confidence in their clinical skills.

    Yes, we can learn retinoscopy and refraction in pretty short order but to become truly proficient takes a lot of time and experience. To become a legend in the eyes of your colleagues takes even longer although many of us do indeed become legends in our own minds fairly rapidly. I don't think anyone can become the "go to guy" in just a few months.

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    Bad address email on file sharonm516's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rbaker View Post
    Every ophthalmologist and every practice is different. I do find that most MD's will use their ancillary personnel to the extent that they have confidence in their clinical skills.

    Yes, we can learn retinoscopy and refraction in pretty short order but to become truly proficient takes a lot of time and experience. To become a legend in the eyes of your colleagues takes even longer although many of us do indeed become legends in our own minds fairly rapidly. I don't think anyone can become the "go to guy" in just a few months.
    Are you referring to me? Because I dont think I have ever put myself out there as the go to person..never...I rarely post in any of the technical areas. I'll just keep my mouth shut and just lurke from now on. Once I have been refracting for at least a year then I will come back and offer my view. Thanks.

    To the OP: Good Luck to you! I hope that you find the information you are looking for.

  11. #11
    OptiBoardaholic CNG's Avatar
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    Refraction is an easy procedure to learn. Come spend a week in Florida an I'll teach you for a fee.

    CNG

  12. #12
    Doh! braheem24's Avatar
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    Refractions are not something you can teach without a good optics background.

    Had an OD Rx last week...

    Current rx PAL, chief complaint near is blurry
    -1.00
    -1.00
    ADD 2.00

    New Rx PAL, chief complaint near is blurry.
    -1.00-0.25
    -0.75-0.25
    ADD 2.00

    I caled the Dr and I reminded her the patient is 61 years old, large pupils wears progressive and 5'4". When I asked if I had her permission to increase his ADD, she insisted her rx was correct and would HAVE to see him to change anything.

    She apparently knows how to refract.

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