Page 7 of 8 FirstFirst ... 2345678 LastLast
Results 151 to 175 of 197

Thread: Attention Opticians: Please stop blaming organizations for our failings.

  1. #151
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Anderson SC
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    754
    Quote Originally Posted by Barry Santini View Post
    seriously, if the business of eyewear were essentially about optics, we'd all be on easy street by now.

    B

    Barry, You beat me to it...

    I was going to post --- " What in the world does ophthalmic optical engineering have to with opticianry?" Answer=Nothing Why do people want it to? So they can pretend that opticianry requires an advanced form of intellegence. Same as those that think opticianry has something to do with the medical field. Basic math, common sense, personality, light mechanical skill, an eye for symmetry, fashion and MANNERS. That is about it folks. Get over it. Over education does not make a profession out of thin air. Making up complicated and irrelevant crap to learn to try to justify a slowly dieing profession will not save it.

  2. #152
    Master OptiBoarder Darryl Meister's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Kansas City, Kansas, United States
    Occupation
    Lens Manufacturer
    Posts
    3,700
    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC
    What in the world does ophthalmic optical engineering have to with opticianry?" Answer=Nothing... Same as those that think opticianry has something to do with the medical field... Over education does not make a profession out of thin air. Making up complicated and irrelevant crap to learn to try to justify a slowly dieing profession will not save it.
    If I have followed this post correctly, the natural progression of your logic would lead to two obvious conclusions:

    1. Opticianry, in your opinion, doesn't have anything to do with optics, healthcare, education, or skill. So, it isn't really a profession in the conventional sense of the word, because pretty much anyone can do it with minimal preparation. For that matter, because there is really little need for a middleman that has cannot add any real value to the supply chain, consumers are probably better off just buying eyeglasses from a website in China.

    2. Optometry, which actually shares the same roots as opticianry, did not become the well-respected, regulated, and viable profession with high earning potential that it is today through the attainment of advanced education, the pursuit of legislation to recognize the profession, and the ongoing expansion of scope of practice. Instead, optometrists must have just struck some Faustian deal with the devil to get where they are today.

    Well, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, although I'm not sure why we would even need a "forum for eyecare professionals" like OptiBoard for you to share it, if any of this were really true.

    Best regards,
    Darryl
    Darryl J. Meister, ABOM

  3. #153
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Anderson SC
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    754
    Quote Originally Posted by Darryl Meister View Post
    If I have followed this post correctly, the natural progression of your logic would lead to two obvious conclusions:

    1. Opticianry, in your opinion, doesn't have anything to do with optics, healthcare, education, or skill. So, it isn't really a profession in the conventional sense of the word, because pretty much anyone can do it with minimal preparation. For that matter, because there is really little need for a middleman that has cannot add any real value to the supply chain, consumers are probably better off just buying eyeglasses from a website in China.

    2. Optometry, which actually shares the same roots as opticianry, did not become the well-respected, regulated, and viable profession with high earning potential that it is today through the attainment of advanced education, the pursuit of legislation to recognize the profession, and the ongoing expansion of scope of practice. Instead, optometrists must have just struck some Faustian deal with the devil to get where they are today.

    Well, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, although I'm not sure why we would even need a "forum for eyecare professionals" like OptiBoard for you to share it, if any of this were really true.

    Best regards,
    Darryl

    Give me even one an example of ______________ needed to get through an ordinary day as a working optician.
    (Contact lenses not included)

    the need for an understanding of complex and/or advanced ophthalmic optics beyond the concepts of focal length and more minus = less plus

    a medical procedure of any kind

    a moment that requires actually touching another human

    a mistake I might make would have a negative effect on the physical health of a patient

    the need for an education level beyond high-school and a certificate level education in opticianry
    ____________________________________________________________ _______________________________

    Anyway... this is why I rarely visit OptiBoard, it drives me nuts.

    There is a unique set of skills that makes someone a good employee in an optical shop, call that person anything you like, heck, optician if you want.
    It has NOTHING to do with advanced optics, medicine, optometry, or any level of education.

    The longer you all keep holding that tack the faster it will all disappear entirely.

    Bring it down a few notches, recognize it for what it is and start teaching for what "opticianry" will be ten years from now and then you might be getting somewhere.

    In twenty years it will all be gone...

    Let me repeat again - You cannot justify a profession by an inflated level of education. It is simply NOT THERE.

    What is next? Master's degree in nail technician? Doctor of hearing aid specialist? Bachelor's of engineering in aesthetics?

    You see it does not make sense... You could require a PhD in opticianry (well no you could not but) and the job would still require a minimal skill set and pay the same.

    God I wish this board had a "Beating Head Against Wall" emoticon.

    This entire board reads like a bunch of people that wish they were optometrists and are somehow ill treated and have been done wrong by the fact that the world of "optician" is disappearing around them. Yes, the optometrists got it right, we got it wrong and we got left holding the short end of the stick. Get over it and move on. Heck, I would not want to be an optometrist at this point in time!

    If you believe that getting "opticians" doing refraction is going to happen in the US you really are living in a dream world. In case you did not notice refraction in the pure sense is becoming obsolete!

  4. #154
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Seattle WA
    Occupation
    Optical Wholesale Lab (other positions)
    Posts
    3,137
    Thanks RacingTiger, Barry has a great background in telescope optics, but many of us do not.

  5. #155
    Master OptiBoarder Darryl Meister's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Kansas City, Kansas, United States
    Occupation
    Lens Manufacturer
    Posts
    3,700
    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC
    Give me even one an example of ______________ needed to get through an ordinary day as a working optician
    To get through the day as a professional optician or to get through the day as an order-taker? But to the point that I suspect you're trying to make, skill in a professional field is not necessarily about handling the 90% of the cases that are easy, or the -0.50 D single-vision wearer, it's also about being able to handle the 10% of the cases that aren't so easy.

    I would be happy to provide a list of core skills and optical knowledge that allows a professional optician to provide the best eyecare possible, if not the best purchase experience possible, but I really don't think it would matter to you any.

    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC
    Yes, the optometrists got it right, we got it wrong and we got left holding the short end of the stick
    So, your argument is really that optometry "got it right," by pursuing professional recognition through legislation and higher education, and that opticians "got it wrong," by not securing any of these; but that's okay, because opticians didn't need them anyway, since they're now a "dying profession?" So, remind me, why is opticianry dying, again?

    Meanwhile, the dental assistant flossing your teeth at the local dentist's office has actually secured more professional standing than you think opticians need or deserve.

    Best regards,
    Darryl
    Last edited by Darryl Meister; 08-17-2013 at 05:18 PM.
    Darryl J. Meister, ABOM

  6. #156
    Master OptiBoarder MakeOptics's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    none
    Occupation
    Other Eyecare-Related Field
    Posts
    1,327
    John@OWDC,

    hate to admit it but you are right in your posts, sad but I got over it a while ago and have been better for it. Some of the folks that cry about the profession have the least education in it, while those that are educated understand like yourself that the profession is just menial task after menial task. Occasionally even a dog stumbles on a bone if he digs in a yard, and as such the optician on occasion will deal with a difficult case here and there.

    Optoms are trained to deal with difficult cases and should just keep them in house and opticians should just stick to the 90% and sell sell sell to get them. This is viable and works, the same model applies with the eye exams the meat goes to the Optom and the specialty gets kicked up to the big boys Opthal.

    Don't like it you have 8 years and about 100K to change your lot, or if your smart enough 10-12years and about $200K to be at the top. The alternative is to embrace the industry as a sales associate and make them dollars.

  7. #157
    Master OptiBoarder Darryl Meister's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Kansas City, Kansas, United States
    Occupation
    Lens Manufacturer
    Posts
    3,700
    If you could really care less about the profession of opticianry, and are just in this to make a quick buck, I can assure you that there are far more lucrative sales industries out there.

    Best regards,
    Darryl
    Darryl J. Meister, ABOM

  8. #158
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    7,482
    THIS is the reason it's been so quiet around here, as was mentioned in another thread. If your profession or job or whatever it is that you do for a living is so unrewarding and unpleasant, why are you still here?

    Once again Darryl, you make your point eloquently.

  9. #159
    Banned
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    St. Cloud, Minnesota
    Occupation
    Ophthalmic Technician
    Posts
    3,089
    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC View Post
    <snipped for clarity>

    God I wish this board had a "Beating Head Against Wall" emoticon.
    Like this one?

  10. #160
    Eyes eastward... Uilleann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Utah
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    3,237
    Good God - this thread again? As always, fault can be pinned on all levels - and yes, INCLUDING the garbage "organizations" - which are the biggest cash cows in our industry. More so even than the dreaded optical "insurance" companies. They, at least, provide some manner of value to the end consumer. I still am baffled as to what exactly the addition of more groups within opticianry touting this or that level of classroom hours pinned to a paper truly hope to achieve for the bottom line of this "profession" - apart from further splintering an already rotten tree. The 'step up or step aside' mantra is as worn out as it gets. Someday, perhaps, we may all realize there really isn't anything to lift, and we're all looking rather silly flexing our muscles - without any weight in our hand.

  11. #161
    OptiBoard Novice
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Chattanooga, TN
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    9
    Oh yes, those links were never meant to say that knowledge is required for working in the optician field. For people that love to advance their knowledge and like to know what's going on behind the "black-box" that information is plentiful and meaningful. I for one can't stand black box work, and want to know all of the associated how's and why's regarding what I'm working with. I've never been happy with an "it works because it works" answer, and that is one of the plethora of reasons I got out of computer engineering ;). I simply posted these links for those that are willing to go further.

    Some people will not stay in this simply as an optician. There are people in the world around us with real drive that start into a field and go full tilt into the wall until they can not go any further. Someone here could be as far up as designing the truly limitless progressive one day for all we know. Advancement requires education, knowledge, and drive. Without these you can forget about advancement in general, whether it be attempting to advance a field to a new professional level across the board, or simply trying to further yourself to move up the ladder.

    Perhaps this is a completely different direction, however, a move towards education may or may not get anything done. Professionals advancing the field, furthering what's required and moving up what we're capable of will. Remember.. once upon a time Opticians were the guys walking around with a box of trials handy, have we gone backwards or forwards as a whole really? :) No one determines what we are and what we do except for us and the ruling administration and legislation. Rules are written and re-written every single day. Choose a path and stay it strong to create waves and changes that create new rules and directions.

  12. #162
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Seattle WA
    Occupation
    Optical Wholesale Lab (other positions)
    Posts
    3,137
    John,
    Please let me know if you have one single example of any career field that has improved its income through institutional ignorance? Its thinking like yours that leave Opticians chained to the past, and destined for a sad future of low income, enormous job stress, and tragic levels of turn-over. Behind your thinking is a parade of former Taco Bell employees willing to try Optical to make a $1 more an hour and get Sunday’s off.

    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC View Post
    Give me even one an example of ______________ needed to get through an ordinary day as a working optician.
    (Contact lenses not included)
    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC View Post
    the need for an understanding of complex and/or advanced ophthalmic optics beyond the concepts of focal length and more minus = less plus
    Troubleshooting progressive issues by randomly changing lenses is the same as driving to Australia by randomly changing roads, the result is often terrible lens choices, unhappy patients, and extra expensive for everyone. Advanced optics is needed for effective troubleshooting. Patients are frustrated by our collective incompetence every day. I get phone calls from PATIENTS around the US every week who have heard about me, and have Optical issues their Optician has not been able to solve. Mostly from unlicensed states, who do I refer them too? I wish I knew.

    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC View Post
    a medical procedure of any kind
    a mistake I might make would have a negative effect on the physical health of a patient
    I have in the dispensing table, with the simple complaint “I can’t see well through my glasses” been able to refer (often as an emergency) for medical conditions the following:
    37 cases of diabetes, 6 cases of keratoconus, 4 optical or brain tumors impeding the orbit or nerve, 1 heart attack, 2 cases of DRP, 11 cataracts, 3 cases of cranial or brain swelling, mixed pathologies, 1 case of uncillating tarantula FB , 2 cases of enlarged optic nerves… one idiopathic, one not.

    And 11 detached retinas of various degrees. It should be noted in 3 of these cases the patients were experiencing optical emergencies and may have lost their sight without immediate attention. Thankfully, all these emergencies were treated immediately and successfully, one the Dr. said the patient would have lost their sight in less than 2 hours!

    I didn’t diagnose these, but I recognized that the patient was having an issue or medical emergency not with their glasses but with their pathology or systemic physical health… And was able to accelerate their proper diagnosis and treatment because I could recognize the symptoms and separate an eyeglass issue from a medical issue. What have you missed? You may not even know.

    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC View Post
    a moment that requires actually touching another human
    Adjustments… ????? Do you adjust from across the room?

    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC View Post
    the need for an education level beyond high-school and a certificate level education in Opticianry
    I teach at two 2 year college Optical programs, and sadly, even 2 years is not enough. I really want a 4 year program to cover all the aspects I use every single week.. lets see, 4 more business classes, accounting, marketing, salesmanship, Advanced Optics: troubleshooting, etc. an entire 2 quarters on progressive lens optics and advanced lens attributes. 2 quarters of pathologies your likely to encounter in dispensing, I could go on… Multifocal contact lens fits, etc.

    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC View Post
    Bring it down a few notches, recognize it for what it is and start teaching for what "opticianry" will be ten years from now and then you might be getting somewhere. In twenty years it will all be gone...
    You are right, and its your attitude that will accelerate it. How much lower can we go? Its already terrible, would clown noses make you happy? Bring it down? You already have. How can you teach anything though, really?

    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC View Post
    Let me repeat again - You cannot justify a profession by an inflated level of education. It is simply NOT THERE.
    Yes, the optometrists got it right, we got it wrong and we got left holding the short end of the stick. Get over it and move on.
    You contradict yourself here, the Opticians got it wrong, but the OD’s got it right? How did they get it right? If not by educating themselves. Weird. No one handed Opticians the short end of the stick, we bit it off ourselves by thinking just like yours.
    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC View Post
    You see it does not make sense... You could require a PhD in opticianry (well no you could not but) and the job would still require a minimal skill set and pay the same.
    Wrong. I live in licensed state, but it’s an OPTIONAL license, only Opticians own their own shops must have a license. However, a licensed Optician here on average earns $26 an hour when working for an OD or OMD, and unlicensed pays $19, and there are few Opticians here making $80K+ a year. Both I believe are far above the national average. It may surprise you, but Drs. Here WANT LDO’s with EDUCATION, I could fill 5 or 6 positions tomorrow but we lack qualified people. Its because they see the difference educated Opticans make in their practices. It’s also because we have 2 Opticianry schools, as a result everyone benefits, both directly and indirectly. The end result is that Opticians here have RESPECT, both from patients and Drs. And that respect pays off… every day and every paycheck.

    Quote Originally Posted by John@OWDC View Post
    God I wish this board had a "Beating Head Against Wall" emoticon.
    It’s a wall of your own making. If your own view of Opticianry is so low, please find another field. Maybe you should change the name of your site to:

    opticianworksforpeanuts.com

    Historically, there is only 2 ways professional service fields have ever improved their income in the last 600 years, the first was collective bargaining action (guilds, then unions) and the other is education. Since Unions are passe, that only leaves us one option. Education.

  13. #163
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Seattle WA
    Occupation
    Optical Wholesale Lab (other positions)
    Posts
    3,137
    Quote Originally Posted by Darryl Meister View Post
    If you could really care less about the profession of opticianry, and are just in this to make a quick buck, I can assure you that there are far more lucrative sales industries out there.

    Best regards,
    Darryl
    +1

  14. #164
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    7,482
    Quote Originally Posted by sharpstick777 View Post
    John,
    Please let me know if you have one single example of any career field that has improved its income through institutional ignorance? Its thinking like yours that leave Opticians chained to the past, and destined for a sad future of low income, enormous job stress, and tragic levels of turn-over. Behind your thinking is a parade of former Taco Bell employees willing to try Optical to make a $1 more an hour and get Sunday’s off.





    Troubleshooting progressive issues by randomly changing lenses is the same as driving to Australia by randomly changing roads, the result is often terrible lens choices, unhappy patients, and extra expensive for everyone. Advanced optics is needed for effective troubleshooting. Patients are frustrated by our collective incompetence every day. I get phone calls from PATIENTS around the US every week who have heard about me, and have Optical issues their Optician has not been able to solve. Mostly from unlicensed states, who do I refer them too? I wish I knew.



    I have in the dispensing table, with the simple complaint “I can’t see well through my glasses” been able to refer (often as an emergency) for medical conditions the following:
    37 cases of diabetes, 6 cases of keratoconus, 4 optical or brain tumors impeding the orbit or nerve, 1 heart attack, 2 cases of DRP, 11 cataracts, 3 cases of cranial or brain swelling, mixed pathologies, 1 case of uncillating tarantula FB , 2 cases of enlarged optic nerves… one idiopathic, one not.

    And 11 detached retinas of various degrees. It should be noted in 3 of these cases the patients were experiencing optical emergencies and may have lost their sight without immediate attention. Thankfully, all these emergencies were treated immediately and successfully, one the Dr. said the patient would have lost their sight in less than 2 hours!

    I didn’t diagnose these, but I recognized that the patient was having an issue or medical emergency not with their glasses but with their pathology or systemic physical health… And was able to accelerate their proper diagnosis and treatment because I could recognize the symptoms and separate an eyeglass issue from a medical issue. What have you missed? You may not even know.



    Adjustments… ????? Do you adjust from across the room?


    I teach at two 2 year college Optical programs, and sadly, even 2 years is not enough. I really want a 4 year program to cover all the aspects I use every single week.. lets see, 4 more business classes, accounting, marketing, salesmanship, Advanced Optics: troubleshooting, etc. an entire 2 quarters on progressive lens optics and advanced lens attributes. 2 quarters of pathologies your likely to encounter in dispensing, I could go on… Multifocal contact lens fits, etc.



    You are right, and its your attitude that will accelerate it. How much lower can we go? Its already terrible, would clown noses make you happy? Bring it down? You already have. How can you teach anything though, really?



    You contradict yourself here, the Opticians got it wrong, but the OD’s got it right? How did they get it right? If not by educating themselves. Weird. No one handed Opticians the short end of the stick, we bit it off ourselves by thinking just like yours.


    Wrong. I live in licensed state, but it’s an OPTIONAL license, only Opticians own their own shops must have a license. However, a licensed Optician here on average earns $26 an hour when working for an OD or OMD, and unlicensed pays $19, and there are few Opticians here making $80K+ a year. Both I believe are far above the national average. It may surprise you, but Drs. Here WANT LDO’s with EDUCATION, I could fill 5 or 6 positions tomorrow but we lack qualified people. Its because they see the difference educated Opticans make in their practices. It’s also because we have 2 Opticianry schools, as a result everyone benefits, both directly and indirectly. The end result is that Opticians here have RESPECT, both from patients and Drs. And that respect pays off… every day and every paycheck.



    It’s a wall of your own making. If your own view of Opticianry is so low, please find another field. Maybe you should change the name of your site to:

    opticianworksforpeanuts.com

    Historically, there is only 2 ways professional service fields have ever improved their income in the last 600 years, the first was collective bargaining action (guilds, then unions) and the other is education. Since Unions are passe, that only leaves us one option. Education.
    +1

  15. #165
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Seattle WA
    Occupation
    Optical Wholesale Lab (other positions)
    Posts
    3,137
    Quote Originally Posted by Judy Canty View Post
    +1
    +2

  16. #166
    bilateral peripheral scotoma LandLord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Maple City
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    824
    The education debate never ends.

    To all the pro-education opticians:

    What I don't understand is why do you need everyone else to get educated if they don't want to?

    Let's be realistic. Even IF you could convince all American opticians to get a degree (fat chance).
    THEN you have to convince all states to regulate opticians (fatter chance).
    THEN you have to convince the government to restrict the sale of eyeglasses to licensed opticians only (obese chance).
    THEN you have to get all the online retailers to close down (hahahaha).
    IF you can achieve all of the above then yes, you will make more money.

    Guess what. There is an easier way... go to optometry school !!!!!!!!!!!
    Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

  17. #167
    bilateral peripheral scotoma LandLord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Maple City
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    824
    Besides those preaching education to get paid more, I applaud those who seek education (formal or informal) just to become better opticians. They are the true heroes to the patient, not the ones who like to plaster certificates on the wall behind them in photographs or collect letters after their name for the sake of status.
    Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

  18. #168
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Fayetteville, NC, USA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    2,009
    Quote Originally Posted by LandLord View Post
    The education debate never ends.

    To all the pro-education opticians:

    What I don't understand is why do you need everyone else to get educated if they don't want to?

    Let's be realistic. Even IF you could convince all American opticians to get a degree (fat chance).
    THEN you have to convince all states to regulate opticians (fatter chance).
    THEN you have to convince the government to restrict the sale of eyeglasses to licensed opticians only (obese chance).
    THEN you have to get all the online retailers to close down (hahahaha).
    IF you can achieve all of the above then yes, you will make more money.

    Guess what. There is an easier way... go to optometry school !!!!!!!!!!!
    No one is suggesting that current Opticians go back and get a degree! I am not sure many could accomplish the task. What many would like to see is a better caliber of future Optician.

  19. #169
    Ophthalmic Optician
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    USSA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    12,591
    Quote Originally Posted by LandLord View Post
    The education debate never ends.

    Education is NOT the issue. What type of optician (or whatever you want to call yourself) you want to be is the issue.

    To all the pro-education opticians:

    What I don't understand is why do you need everyone else to get educated if they don't want to?

    I don't need everyone else to get educated. In fact, I'm to the point where I hope most of my competition don't educate themselves.

    Let's be realistic. Even IF you could convince all American opticians to get a degree (fat chance).
    THEN you have to convince all states to regulate opticians (fatter chance).

    No, you wouldn't

    THEN you have to convince the government to restrict the sale of eyeglasses to licensed opticians only (obese chance).

    No, you wouldn't
    THEN you have to get all the online retailers to close down (hahahaha).

    No, you wouldn't
    IF you can achieve all of the above then yes, you will make more money.

    No..you won't


    Guess what. There is an easier way... go to optometry school !!!!!!!!!!!
    Most opticians who are gaining education (formal and otherwise), by whatever means, ARE making more money. I will be meeting with my optician friends from around the country at VEW, and many of them are making money others could only dream about. No, they are not all business owners; some work for MDs that appreciate educated opticians, and some work for Ods. Yes, there are some owners, such as myself, but we are becoming a rare breed. The two highest paid that I know don't have degrees in anything related to optics, but they continue to further their optics education on their own.

    Nobody is making anybody else get an education. I am so tired of hearing that droning. Also, nobody is going to legislate the competition out of existence. It's here, deal with it. The best way to deal with it is to get an edge through knowledge. Don't call it education, because that's a big, bad, nasty word that scares people.

  20. #170
    Master OptiBoarder optical24/7's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Down on the Farm
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    5,809
    All I can say is that I'm living proof that more education/knowledge leads to a higher pay check.

  21. #171
    Rising Star
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Tennessee
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    267
    I ask this question in all seriousness; what is an acceptable level of ignorance for opticianry?

  22. #172
    Master OptiBoarder tx11's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Texas
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    822
    In Texas having a Bachelors degree in any field will help get you a higher salary. Being ABO certified at any level and being able to operate an edger definitely help too ( both can be obtained through OJT and self study)

  23. #173
    Ophthalmic Optician
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    USSA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    12,591
    Quote Originally Posted by Roy R. Ferguson View Post
    I ask this question in all seriousness; what is an acceptable level of ignorance for opticianry?
    From what I have seen, and it's not limited to opticianry.Much of society seems to be governed by the following tenets:

    1. Individualism: What's in it for me?

    2. Hedonism: If it feels good, do it.

    3. Minimalism: What is the absolute least I need to do to achieve the goal?

    I think #3 is what is most pervasive in opticianry, even to the point that if the need for knowledge/work/perseverance is more than the individual is willing to take on, then they will want to lower the goal.

    An example is the licensing laws for opticianry in Ohio. The license is offered as a
    1. Spectacle only
    2. Contact Lens only
    3. Dual Spec/Contact

    An overwhelming majority of Ohio opticians get the spectacle only, and leave it at that. I hear excuses such as, "It won't get me more money" (actually it does), and "I don't deal with contacts"(you learn MUCH more than just contacts), and "It will take too much time."

    I believe that the minimum requirement should have been the dual, just like Fla and other states, and I know the reason it was offered the way it was (politics), but again, the path that required the least amount of work is the one most often taken.

  24. #174
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Fayetteville, NC, USA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    2,009
    The separation of the license based on function was the beginning of the "dumbing down" of Opticianry in America. The real root of the issue is the lack of consistancy of background, education and training from one jurisdiction to another.

  25. #175
    Rising Star
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Tennessee
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    267
    We recently analyzed two years of practical exam results for dispensing opticians.

    64% could not measure the distance between horizontal prism reference points.
    60% could not calculate vertical imbalance in an eyeglass prescription.
    57% could not determine which lens to slab-off.
    53% could not measure prism thinning in a progressive lens.
    50% could not determine the add power for a visible bifocal.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Attention Virginia Opticians
    By Andrew Weiss in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-23-2008, 12:04 PM
  2. Attention NJ licensed opticians
    By stephanie in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 12-21-2005, 09:30 PM
  3. Attention Walmart opticians
    By johntricity in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 07-06-2003, 09:25 PM
  4. Attention Master Opticians
    By Lee Prewitt in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 07-25-2002, 08:15 PM
  5. Attention: Maryland Opticians!
    By judyseyes in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-11-2000, 11:39 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •