Refracting Optician

[HarryChiling]

### PRESS RELEASE ###

Refracting Optician
A no-nonsense primer on how opticians can get up and started refracting autonomously.

Author and Illustrator Harry Chilinguerian is releasing his book, Refracting Optician. The book is richly illustrated and focused on the operational aspects of how-to setup a subjective refraction service and how to perform said refraction. The author went to great lengths to cut the fluff and polish the gems as the sayings go. Harry focuses on setting up a lane in a low-cost method that has been tested and proven to create a low barrier to entry method to expand scope both legally and ethically for the independent optician.

Independent opticians do not want to miss the opportunity to add an additional all-important service to their business model. Refraction in the independent optician’s dispensary will be the new renaissance of the profession, allowing opticians to serve their clients more fully and with authority.

Available for Purchase at: https://optscureal.com/product/refracting-optician/
Pre Sale (before 12/02/2024): $75.00
Retail (after 12/02/2024): $125.00

[optical24/7]

Congrats on your book release Harry! How exciting!

For those here that don’t know or aren’t familiar with Harry “Chilling”, Harry is one of the most knowledgeable people on earth on ophthalmic optics. When he has something to say, it’s extremely wise to listen.

[wmcdonald]

I strongly encourage Opticians to take advantage of this learning opportunity!

[HarryChiling]

Congrats on your book release Harry! How exciting!

For those here that don’t know or aren’t familiar with Harry “Chilling”, Harry is one of the most knowledgeable people on earth on ophthalmic optics. When he has something to say, it’s extremely wise to listen.

Thank you sir, I appreciate it hope everything's going good for you. Hit me up sometime!

[HarryChiling]

I strongly encourage Opticians to take advantage of this learning opportunity!

Doc just trying to live in your shadow. Thank you for the years of guidance and help with the topic as well. You might be too modest to take credit, but you've been one of my pillars.

[Prentice Pro 9000]

This is very cool..... What are the implecations of actually doing this? As in.... will we get into trouble?

[Kwill212]

This is very cool..... What are the implecations of actually doing this? As in.... will we get into trouble?

I can't imagine it's legal in any state for opticians to write a prescription. My state optometry laws do not even allow anyone other than optometrist or physician to have vision testing equipment, let a lone use it. Even though I could write a better subjective prescription than 90% of the OMDs and 50% of the ODs in my area.

As a knowledge resource this book is great, I'm sure. As a practical application, not so much, at least in the US.

[HarryChiling]

It's practical, I outline a doctor network in the book that's been signing my scripts. Anecdotally most opticians are afraid of the process of refracting. That's why I wrote it, methodically done refraction isn't difficult, but we still need a doctor to sign off luckily that exists more and more in our current times. I want to make sure the company is successful and opticians learn a new valuable skill for their practices.

[optical24/7]

Most state Optometry laws do not allow the OD to write off on refractions done by someone else, (like a tech). MD’s on the other hand can (and do). As example, in Texas, I worked with 4 OMD’s and 2 ODs. All MD rechecks on refraction were done by me, but all the OD rechecks had to be done by the OD.

Imho, Optometry tied their own professional hands in the number of patients they could see per day/annually. It’s just one of the reasons an OMD office can see many more patients daily, as was reflected in how many patients our Dr’s booked and saw daily. ( OD’s far fewer).

[HarryChiling]

Optometry laws have changed a lot over the years, COVID and telehealth laws have created opportunities. While true, OMDs have always had the ability, ODs do too in many states and many are augmenting their practices with remote services to techs and opticians.

I still have to screen, but I have a local OD that I refer to and I'm essentially prequalifying medical exams vs routine so Im referring premium bookings.

We augment each other and he can have a slew of refractionists as direct referrals for premium medical exams. Great points being brought up, but let me wrap it up nicely, it's being done and all parties are benefiting and it's the way of the future. Everyone's welcome and it's new enough that there is room for additional business models to be successful in the opticianry space, mobile, concierge, safety, etc. Some are already successful other still need to be explored. I welcome you to start the journey.

[Joe Zewe]

Congratulations on the book Harry! It will be interesting to see how this develops. Also, it was nice catching up with you on your visit to Pittsburgh last month.

[drk]

It's not the refracting, but the prescribing. How do you prescribe for kids? How do you prescribe for cataract patients? Etc. Refraction is a special diagnostic service, only.

I gotta give you guys some tough love.

Now look, there are too many OD schools and the quality of applicant and education is commensurately dropping. It's a fact.
Also, this so-called "telemedicine" has extremely limited utility...EMPHASIZING LIMITED!
Also, there are a lot of women ODs now, that want to work from home as they raise their kids. (I get it.) They're fodder for "remote optometry".

There are a few highly unscrupulous "remote optometry" set ups out there. It's dog crap.



What is a "refracting optician" to do?

1. say "It's indeed a mess...now that the bar is lowering, it's time to get in for that sweet, sweet $40 refraction money"?
2. think: that situation sounds like a cluster. How do I position myself to make it better? What skills can I bring to the table?

You know what I think.

[HarryChiling]

Congratulations on the book Harry! It will be interesting to see how this develops. Also, it was nice catching up with you on your visit to Pittsburgh last month.

I'll send a copy on the way too you! It was great catching up and your facility is amazing.

[jiicken]

i am currently playing around with the idea of moving out of the US, and while most countries allow foreign opticians to take a test rather than go to school and retrain completely, the "refraction" portion is pretty spooky to a stateside optician with only as much experience in refraction as comes from "fixing" my OD's prescriptions in a troubleshoot with a +0.25/-0.25 flipper and some trial frames. the cost is HEFTY and i will need to save up for a bit, but i will be picking a copy up. thanks for advertising on here, i wouldn't be surprised if you got a hefty double-handful of sales from us optiboard folk.

[AndyOptom]

### PRESS RELEASE ###

Refracting Optician
A no-nonsense primer on how opticians can get up and started refracting autonomously.

Available for Purchase at: https://optscureal.com/product/refracting-optician/
Pre Sale (before 12/02/2024): $75.00
Retail (after 12/02/2024): $125.00[/FONT][/SIZE]

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