i-optician-pad

[drk]

I just got a little drop-in from a rep of an internationally-owned lens manufacturer / lab network (oui oui) who wanted to gauge my interest in an i-pad based optical measuring device.

What's it going to look like to my patients when my licensed optician pulls out an i-pad to take measurements? I'm thinking they'll be thinking: "Hey, cool app. Where do you download that from?"

Then, I think I'll be seeing "eye-pads" in the hands of recently-hired-for-minimum-wage-extremely-young-blue-blazered ladies at Lenscrafters while I shop the mall looking for one of those massage chairs to reduce my recently-worsening migraine headaches.

Then, I think I'll be seeing them in the pharmacy next to the hemorrhoid relief cream as I try to relieve the giant pain in the rectum this industry has become.

Then, I think I'll be seeing them at the giant diesel truckstops on the interstates next to the ATM machine as I flee to the Golden Gate Bridge to end it all.

[drk]

Is it just a coincidence that these companies that make kiosks make this automated optician app?

[jefe]

I just got a little drop-in from a rep of an internationally-owned lens manufacturer / lab network (oui oui) who wanted to gauge my interest in an i-pad based optical measuring device.

What's it going to look like to my patients when my licensed optician pulls out an i-pad to take measurements? I'm thinking they'll be thinking: "Hey, cool app. Where do you download that from?"

Then, I think I'll be seeing "eye-pads" in the hands of recently-hired-for-minimum-wage-extremely-young-blue-blazered ladies at Lenscrafters while I shop the mall looking for one of those massage chairs to reduce my recently-worsening migraine headaches.

Then, I think I'll be seeing them in the pharmacy next to the hemorrhoid relief cream as I try to relieve the giant pain in the rectum this industry has become.

Then, I think I'll be seeing them at the giant diesel truckstops on the interstates next to the ATM machine as I flee to the Golden Gate Bridge to end it all.

What did you say to the rep?

[drk]

I told him I didn't think it would look too good for my optician to drag out some dumbass i-pad.

[IhaveSpecialEyes]

I can see the use for Vertex (I hate measuring vertex) but for everything else I trust me and my trusty tools better. Case in point: Working her way thru school my daughter is working at a chain optical that has installed these "devices". She says that their remakes shot thru the roof and she refuses to use them, her mommy taught her well.

[CoolOptician]

I can see the use for Vertex (I hate measuring vertex) but for everything else I trust me and my trusty tools better. Case in point: Working her way thru school my daughter is working at a chain optical that has installed these "devices". She says that their remakes shot thru the roof and she refuses to use them, her mommy taught her well.

+1000!! Just discussing this with my husband, via an email that came thru, showing an iPad app to take measurements. (smile) And then my husband said he just read an article in one of our industry mags, about all of the technology going on, and how that doesn't replace the need for a professional who really knows what they are doing, and how optics work. Yes, some bread and butter jobs may be lost, but even then....someone has to 'fit' the things. (smile) I forsee a HUGE jump in the costs of adjustments in the near future if too many try and do this, via online or other sources. Lol, maybe even have 'degrees of difficulty' in the adjustment costs. A temple bend adj = $20, and ramp them up from there, depending on what is required. So few working in the chains really understand that as well.

[Robert Martellaro]

[mervinek]

I used to use my iPad a lot at work. Used to to take photos of people while trying on frames if they have a high Rx. Also used it to show online catalogs to patients for color options. Works great for that. But to do measurements?.... Hell NO!

[Optician1960]

As mentioned in the past, the "best" digital systems are fantastic for measuring PD, SH, Vertex, Pano and Panto. Just like the PD stick, Pupilometer and frame adjustments, being trained well in optics and how to use the systems is a must to get the patient the best eye wear. Would suggest an open minded approach to looking into these systems maybe even try before you buy. I remember when opticians complained about CR-39 and how glass was the only lens of today and the future (wrong), then the argument against progressives and how they would go away (wrong) and even the pupilometer was frowned upon and some believed it would go away (wrong again)... I could go on and on but the bottom line is, you should take a little time to become competent with a quality device and then make your decision...
For the young lady who saw her stores remakes go up with a digital device, they either have a poor system or are using it incorrectly... IMHO

[anthonyf1509]

Optician1960,
Id like to hear the argument or sales pitch, to an office fitting about a thousand pair of progressives a year and remakes around 1%. What's the angle as why they'd "need" this? Its easier to tell a curious customer they've visited an expert and not a dummy who "needs" something to do the work for them. Yet still not accomplishing those types of successful fits.

[Optician1960]

Anthony,
"Need this" is not what I have said. In many cases, should "want this" is more like it. I have sold, fit, measured, manufactured and dispensed more than my fair share of PAL's, and had great success (PD stick, felt tip pen, pupilometer and now digital systems for measure). I have seen and heard more wow's and had more customers interested in what is being done in the measuring process today than in the past 3 decades. My skills and knowledge have not changed dramatically, but the tools and ability to engage the patient by showing them what I am doing has changed dramatically. I have also drawn my last PAL outline to give them an idea of how the lens is mapped, it is all now simulation on the digital system. Training a new apprentice with a visual system to do pre-fits and how and when to measure patients with different lenses and needs is much more effective and efficient.
2 real life scenarios:
* Best in class surgeries are done through small ports (trocars) by surgeons using a robot 10-15 feet from the operating table (Da Vinci system). Who would choose the Dr who claims the new tools do not work and wants to "open you up" or choose the Dr who is open to new concepts that work?
* The best athletes in the world use pictures and images to help in their training to become the best of the best. This applies also to the preceptors and apprentices who utilize the digital image systems in training sessions...

[drk]

I forsee a HUGE jump in the costs of adjustments in the near future if too many try and do this, via online or other sources. Lol, maybe even have 'degrees of difficulty' in the adjustment costs. A temple bend adj = $20, and ramp them up from there, depending on what is required. So few working in the chains really understand that as well.

I agree with you, but realize that adjustments and all professional services are already included in the price of frames and lenses, by tradition.

If we went to a "parts + labor" pricing structure, it would show a lot of service is involved (and that online parts-only-do-the-labor-yourself is not the deal it seems).

[drk]

It's not beyond the realm of possibility that these devices are being beta-tested by opticians in order to refine them to be used instead of opticians.

[Randle Tibbs, ABOM]

New technology is not always a bad thing, I'm not endorsing all the new apps but commenting that we should not dismiss all until we have all the facts. If you are old enough and have ever tech'd, you will remember performing tangent screen fields on patients. which is better, tangent screen or fields machine? for pressures, which is better McKay Marg or Goldman tonometry.
We do need to keep an open mind when evaluating the new technology.

Randle

[Robert Martellaro]

It's not beyond the realm of possibility that these devices are being beta-tested by opticians in order to refine them to be used instead of opticians.

Rats testing the waters?

[rdcoach5]

We have one at work. They are not accurate for mono PD's although they are for total PD. The basic problems are:
1. They are hard to hold steady- some kind of stand might help
2. If they are not absolutely straight , that's where the monocular PD gets errors. Again, a stand might help
3. It's very hard/ if not impossibe to align the frame outlining boxes with the lens edges. Picture not that sharp
4. Takes too long to use for limited benefit. I'll take my penlight and felt tip pen any day !