Interesting conversation this morning

**MikeAurelius** · 12-08-2010, 11:37 AM

One of my customers calls up all in a tizzy, she'd just visited her ECP for a pair of glasses and the ECP refused her request, and would I call and talk to him? Sure, says I.

Her Rx:

+2.25 -0.75 x 93
+2.75 -0.50 x 90
Progressive add +2.25

Call the ECP. Seems customer told ECP that she wears a +2.00 reader over her existing glasses so she can focus up close on her jewelry making (silver/goldsmith) she's smithing. ECP freaked out, said couldn't get a +4.25 and she (customer) shouldn't be wearing readers over her existing eyewear to focus close up. ECP was pretty hot under the collar with me.

I explained that I was calling on behalf of the customer to explain how the process of smithing works and why she needs to be able to focus up close. Silence from the ECP. I went on to explain that since the customer only deals with near vision, why not prescribe this Rx:

R: +4.50 -0.75 x 93
L: +5.00 -0.50 x 90
Add +2.00

with distance PD on the Rx set to her 18" working and near PD set to 6" working.

"Oh" says the ECP, hadn't thought of that.

I tell ECP that the customer is going to need a filter for the flare, you guys figure out what you are going to do and let me know.

ECP called me back about an hour later, they are going with a full rim frame and conventional flat top, and would I be able to supply xxxxxyyyzz clip on with the required filter? Sure, says I.

My moral to the story? Patients need to be upfront with ECP's about what they do, not only for recreation (reading, knitting, etc.) but also any hobbies and then take the time to explain their vision requirements.

Granted this doesn't happen every day (for which my phone bill thanks me), but it does indicate a definate lack of communication somewhere...

**NCspecs** · 12-08-2010, 12:13 PM

Good on you for bridging the gap.

I do have to wonder why the ECP wasn't curious as to WHY the pt wanted what she needed. Whenever I get a request that sounds unconventional I always want to know the reasoning behind it all. I've been known to call our labs and ask what they would do in certain situations before I place an order or consider taking on a project. I think sometimes things make perfect sense to one person only to completely baffle the other. Communication, it's grrrrrreat! ;)

**uncut** · 12-08-2010, 12:15 PM

I wasn't aware that it was the prescribing ECP to "Rx" any special occupational product.....I thought that the auspices of creating any device was a relationship between the consumer and the professional dispensing optician! I believe that the "lack of communication somewhere" is quite apparent, Mike!

**MikeAurelius** · 12-08-2010, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by NCspecs

Good on you for bridging the gap.

I do have to wonder why the ECP wasn't curious as to WHY the pt wanted what she needed. Whenever I get a request that sounds unconventional I always want to know the reasoning behind it all. I've been known to call our labs and ask what they would do in certain situations before I place an order or consider taking on a project. I think sometimes things make perfect sense to one person only to completely baffle the other. Communication, it's grrrrrreat! ;)

Thanks! I do this maybe a couple of times a month, and it is usually an ECP who has no idea what's going on, and the patient is usually incapable of describing it. As a lens guy/lab rat & a glassworker myself, I usually find it easier to put it in terms the ECP can understand. There is also a certain amount of fear on the part of the patient to tell the ECP EVERYTHING they do, I know a couple of people who make "toys" (ask me privately ;) ) and "smoking apparatus" who won't tell their ECP's what they do for fear of prosecution.

In this case, I think the ECP was so wound up about the readers that he stopped thinking out of the box...

**MikeAurelius** · 12-08-2010, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by uncut

I wasn't aware that it was the prescribing ECP to "Rx" any special occupational product.....I thought that the auspices of creating any device was a relationship between the consumer and the professional dispensing optician! I believe that the "lack of communication somewhere" is quite apparent, Mike!

I don't disagree, but there are ECP's who refuse to dispense or "Rx" (in your special quoted terms) any lens product made of glass. What then?

**NCspecs** · 12-08-2010, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

Thanks! I do this maybe a couple of times a month, and it is usually an ECP who has no idea what's going on, and the patient is usually incapable of describing it. As a lens guy/lab rat & a glassworker myself, I usually find it easier to put it in terms the ECP can understand. There is also a certain amount of fear on the part of the patient to tell the ECP EVERYTHING they do, I know a couple of people who make "toys" (ask me privately ;) ) and "smoking apparatus" who won't tell their ECP's what they do for fear of prosecution.

In this case, I think the ECP was so wound up about the readers that he stopped thinking out of the box...

Yeah you might have to PM me on that one! I'm intrigued!

I started in the lab when I first came to the Optical business and some of the people I trained with amazed me with their skill and problem-solving abilities. I think having knowledge from both perspectives helps any Optician service their patient more efficiently.

**DragonLensmanWV** · 12-08-2010, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

Thanks! I do this maybe a couple of times a month, and it is usually an ECP who has no idea what's going on, and the patient is usually incapable of describing it. As a lens guy/lab rat & a glassworker myself, I usually find it easier to put it in terms the ECP can understand. There is also a certain amount of fear on the part of the patient to tell the ECP EVERYTHING they do, I know a couple of people who make "toys" (ask me privately ;) ) and "smoking apparatus" who won't tell their ECP's what they do for fear of prosecution.

In this case, I think the ECP was so wound up about the readers that he stopped thinking out of the box...

Oh WOW man! You do lenses for Tommy Chong?? Far out, man!

**Barry Santini** · 12-08-2010, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

...there are ECP's who refuse to dispense or "Rx" any lens product made of glass.

WHAT??!! Pardner, Glass is agin the LAW!

Gunslinger Barrs

**AngeHamm** · 12-08-2010, 04:10 PM

Glass?? I'm agin it!

**Ghost Machine** · 12-08-2010, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

I know a couple of people who make "toys" (ask me privately ;) ) and "smoking apparatus" who won't tell their ECP's what they do for fear of prosecution.

Gotta love Minnie - I think you can get busted for possession of Zig Zags, right?

**NeGlassesGirl27** · 12-08-2010, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Ghost Machine

Gotta love Minnie - I think you can get busted for possession of Zig Zags, right?

What I don't understand is that if you can get busted for them, why do gas stations sell the packages? At least in Nebraska they sell them behind the counter.

**MikeAurelius** · 12-08-2010, 05:30 PM

Up here in MN, you can possess all the paraphenalia you want, but it better be CLEAN!! Any residue and you are looking at some serious time in jail and huge fines.

**WFruit** · 12-08-2010, 05:38 PM

Since we're wandering completely off topic, here's what we've got in Rochester: http://www.lookahhookah.com/pcms/;js...?f=d&name=home

and

http://www.westsidesmokeshop.com/testimonials.html

**Ghost Machine** · 12-08-2010, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Keri_Leigh27

What I don't understand is that if you can get busted for them, why do gas stations sell the packages? At least in Nebraska they sell them behind the counter.

It was intended as a joke. My beloved home state is pretty conservative to say the least - one of the things I miss most about it.