Can you give me my PD?

[Robert Wagner]

Thought some of you may want to read someones office policy on this matter.

CAN YOU GIVE ME MY PD?

There are a number of facial measurements that are required to purchase properly fitting glasses. Some of them include the DBL, the temple length, the vertex distance, seg height, monocular PD of the major reference point for each eye, as well as the interpupillary distance (PD). Measuring a PD is not part of an eye exam and this measurement has not been made by the Doctor during the course of the eye exam. It is not part of his/her prescription.


All of the above facial measurements are determined at the time of purchasing glasses by the seller of those glasses. In many cases, these measurements are unique to the frame size and style, type of bifocal, and differing facial asymmetries including dissimilar monocular pupillary distances. Each provider of eye glasses is responsible for accurately making these facial measurements in the process of fabricating the glasses that are to be purchased. Different providers arrive at different facial measurement numbers, and often can measure different pupillary distances for the same person using different measurement techniques. Since each eyeglass provider is responsible for the final outcome of the eyewear in meeting the visual needs of the individual patient, if any error is made in determining any of the above facial measurements, the provider of the glasses is responsible for correcting the error.


Insuring that these measurements are actually properly incorporated into the final fabricated glasses and aligned properly to the wearers face are integral components to the patient’s final satisfaction. We do not provide these services for glasses purchased elsewhere. We also do not troubleshoot facial measurement problems or alignment problems with the hardware of glasses purchased elsewhere, but we do service glasses purchased from us for the lifetime of the glasses.


Consequently, any facial measurements taken by our opticians during the purchase of glasses here remain our proprietary information. This information is not for release to the public or other eyeglass providers. Other providers are required to take their own measurements and ultimately be responsible for the accuracy of any glasses they fabricate based on their unique measurements and their final verification and alignment.

[bob_f_aboc]

+1

[CME4SPECS]

Perfect!

[cocoisland58]

Excellent!

[SharonB]

+ 1000!!!!!

[EyeCare Rich]

++++++1

That is a great way to state it. Is that your office, or did you find it somewhere?

Love it.

[braheem24]

Nicely stated.

Insure = ensure

[Judy Canty]

Thought some of you may want to read someones office policy on this matter.

CAN YOU GIVE ME MY PD?

There are a number of facial measurements that are required to purchase properly fitting glasses. Some of them include the DBL, the temple length, the vertex distance, seg height, monocular PD of the major reference point for each eye, as well as the interpupillary distance (PD). Measuring a PD is not part of an eye exam and this measurement has not been made by the Doctor during the course of the eye exam. It is not part of his/her prescription.


All of the above facial measurements are determined at the time of purchasing glasses by the seller of those glasses. In many cases, these measurements are unique to the frame size and style, type of bifocal, and differing facial asymmetries including dissimilar monocular pupillary distances. Each provider of eye glasses is responsible for accurately making these facial measurements in the process of fabricating the glasses that are to be purchased. Different providers arrive at different facial measurement numbers, and often can measure different pupillary distances for the same person using different measurement techniques. Since each eyeglass provider is responsible for the final outcome of the eyewear in meeting the visual needs of the individual patient, if any error is made in determining any of the above facial measurements, the provider of the glasses is responsible for correcting the error.


Insuring that these measurements are actually properly incorporated into the final fabricated glasses and aligned properly to the wearers face are integral components to the patient’s final satisfaction. We do not provide these services for glasses purchased elsewhere. We also do not troubleshoot facial measurement problems or alignment problems with the hardware of glasses purchased elsewhere, but we do service glasses purchased from us for the lifetime of the glasses.


Consequently, any facial measurements taken by our opticians during the purchase of glasses here remain our proprietary information. This information is not for release to the public or other eyeglass providers. Other providers are required to take their own measurements and ultimately be responsible for the accuracy of any glasses they fabricate based on their unique measurements and their final verification and alignment.

May we "borrow"?

[Wes]

May we "borrow"?

I was thinking the same, with Braheem's slight correction.

[racethe1320]

Very well stated. What type of questions are you asking the patient when they ask for it?

Regarding the statement should it boil down to it, my only insight is that the message really needs to be stated in 1-2 brief sentences. Basically if you're not gonig to provide PD's just let the patient know in laymen terms that there's way more to fitting glasses properly than just adding an Rx and PD to the purchase of a frame and that any facial measurements taken at your office are not shared or released but are instead used towards the purchase of their glasses from your staff and should they not buy them from you that it's up to the provider of the glasses to accuracely take the measurements.

[dash1]

The problem with this is that the pt is entitled to all the information in their file. If another Dr office sends a request for the file what do you do? We had a Dr leave our practice and open an office less than 5 miles away and needless to say it was not a friendly ending. Since she has gone it's been constant requests for information from alot of her former pt's, including fields, retinal photos etc... even has had the people that work there ask for pd's, type of lenses, coatings, etc.. I don't feel like we should have to give them this information because i feel like it was years of trial and error at times that we worked for but, if we don't they could just make us look like we are just hindering the pt's care??

[Judy Canty]

The problem with this is that the pt is entitled to all the information in their file. If another Dr office sends a request for the file what do you do? We had a Dr leave our practice and open an office less than 5 miles away and needless to say it was not a friendly ending. Since she has gone it's been constant requests for information from alot of her former pt's, including fields, retinal photos etc... even has had the people that work there ask for pd's, type of lenses, coatings, etc.. I don't feel like we should have to give them this information because i feel like it was years of trial and error at times that we worked for but, if we don't they could just make us look like we are just hindering the pt's care??

You make a great case for keeping separate records for the dispensary.

[Wes]

You make a great case for keeping separate records for the dispensary.

Hmm, would those be considered medical or non-medical?

[Barry Santini]

I really whoeeartedly disagree with this. The best way, IMHO, to help clients see that your eyewear is more than an Rx and a PD is to let them experience it for themselves, firsthand.

Give 'em their freakin' PD already. What are you afraid of?

B

[drk]

I talked to my particular board, Wes and Cat, regarding whether I could separate the medical records and the optical records. Board officer said: "No dice. All your records are optometric records. Period."

I sulked.

However, I do know that I can charge $25 for the first page and $1/page thereafter for duplicating medical records. That kind of makes me feel better. I feel like a tricky lawyer. So maybe not all that much better.

To my knowledge, opticians have no obligation to release records.

[Wes]

I really whoeeartedly disagree with this. The best way, IMHO, to help clients see that your eyewear is more than an Rx and a PD is to let them experience it for themselves, firsthand.

Give 'em their freakin' PD already. What are you afraid of?

B

Barry,
Measurements already taken for existing patients are a gray area. So far, only one person has asked. I gave the measurement, and said good luck.
However, I decline to do this for people that I've never seen before who walk in off the street demanding free service because a website said I had to. So you read that on the internet? Do you believe everything you see there? Admittedly, this has not occurred in at least a year.
I don't work for free, and I choose not to be a third party to the transaction. I reserve the right to change this opinion if my employment situation changes.

Drk, thanks for the info.


I'm really not sure why this subject takes so much time on this board still. Pd requesters seem to already be a thing of the past.

[trifoil]

there is a reason that patients think they are entitled to a PD after they are refracted. They are paying for a service. Their PD measurement has already been taken as that is part of adjusting a phoropter.

[Wes]

there is a reason that patients think they are entitled to a PD after they are refracted. They are paying for a service. Their PD measurement has already been taken as that is part of adjusting a phoropter.

Accepted, but what is the reason they feel they are entitled to walk into a place they've never been to and demand that you or I take these measurements? Because the onliner is telling them we have to. The onliner is ADVOCATING theft of services.

[Chris Ryser]

I really whoeeartedly disagree with this. The best way, IMHO, to help clients see that your eyewear is more than an Rx and a PD is to let them experience it for themselves, firsthand.

Give 'em their freakin' PD already. What are you afraid of?

B

I agree with Barry,

The arguments on this thread are an old rehash ............that has been rehashed and re-hashed many times over, the last few weeks, months and years.

You are still fighting the on-liners with spears and shields, like the old warriors did in the middle ages.

This is the age of modern electronics with instant communications and the on-liners have taken advantage of it and have reached the consumers with offers that are many times cheaper than you do offer them for the last hundreds of years, as history goes.

The startingpost by Robert Wager does not state a law or even a signature of anybody that can enforce it, so its worthless talk and everybody sings halleluia. It is not about giving a service, it is about selling a service you can not do without, because if you don't, the faster a common device that will measure a PDs electronically for anybody and cheap to use will hit the market in no time. Who knows how many are allready working at it.

Maybe it will be a downloadable program used in your computer for a fee that can only be used once, and then deletes itself. Next time you pay again and somebody gets very rich, but it won't be you.

When does this fact sink in with the optical retailers, that you have to adapt to a situation that is not going away anymore, instaed of fighting it. It is not a possible future anymore, it is a present actual problem you can not fight, and you will have to adapt. The consumer you refuse to give a PD will get it anyhow somewhere, and some smarty might even sue you for not providing a service for a fee or not.

Only the ones that have created a niche business over the years will not feel the pinch now, nor in the future.

[braheem24]

there is a reason that patients think they are entitled to a PD after they are refracted. They are paying for a service. Their PD measurement has already been taken as that is part of adjusting a phoropter.

If you want that kind of accuracy, get it off your bushnell binoculars by measuring from inner reticle to outer reticle.

No need to waste your time with an optical.

[Wes]

If you want that kind of accuracy, get it off your bushnell binoculars by measuring from inner reticle to outer reticle.

No need to waste your time with an optical.

I'll use that, if anyone ever asks me for a pd again. I won't hold my breath.

[optilady1]

I like this, I think it's to the point, and all the tech talk lets people know that just because you heard a show on NPR, you don't actually know more than us about glasses.

That being said, are we going to have another thread arguing about PD's?

[AngeHamm]

Nicely stated.

Insure = ensure

For many international English speakers, "in-" replaces "en-" as a prefix.

I like the spirit of this, but would really like a version of it 10% as long.

[Judy Canty]

I talked to my particular board, Wes and Cat, regarding whether I could separate the medical records and the optical records. Board officer said: "No dice. All your records are optometric records. Period."

I sulked.

However, I do know that I can charge $25 for the first page and $1/page thereafter for duplicating medical records. That kind of makes me feel better. I feel like a tricky lawyer. So maybe not all that much better.

To my knowledge, opticians have no obligation to release records.

Can you operate your dispensary as a separate entity?

[Barry Santini]

If you want that kind of accuracy, get it off your bushnell binoculars by measuring from inner reticle to outer reticle.

No need to waste your time with an optical.

Actually, quite accurate.

B