TIPS ON DISPENSING

**Rockstargazer** · 05-05-2018, 05:01 PM

Without sounding like the old school optician (I am and admit proudly), therein lies the problem with lack of oversight of our profession. With so few states requiring a rigorous written and practical examination before licensing this is what you get.........

One of my greatest fears has been that I would die and not have been able to impart all my "old school" knowledge and wisdom to the next optical generation. I am fortunate that my son decided to make this his career and we both benefited from my teaching and coaching him. So I have a challenge for all the old school opticians out there..... Every day find a teachable moment and make it your priority to teach/coach that young(er) optician in your workplace. That is the only way our craft will survive into the next generation of optical professionals.

"It is easy to say "No", when there is a deeper "Yes" burning within." Stephen Covey

**rbaker** · 05-05-2018, 06:05 PM

The "craft" has changed. The "optician" has changed. The "business" has changed. Don't waste your time. Enjoy your retirement.

**Rockstargazer** · 05-05-2018, 09:22 PM

rbaker- I am a few years away from retirement, thank you. Can you elaborate on how you see the industry has changed? Frankly I'm not sure how to interpret your reply so I'll ask for clarification before I comment further.

**Scooby Snacks** · 05-06-2018, 08:54 AM

In my state (TX,) certification is not required. The ignorance that some opticians display is astounding. That's because most offices push high sales above all else. I resist this pressure from my bosses because I want the patient to be satisfied. I don't want the patient to get mad at me, feeling like they are being railroaded into buying add-ons they don't need or want. I am far from a perfect optician and not certified myself, but I have benefited a great deal from my experience as an optometric and ophthalmic technician. It helps me get the whole picture about what might be going on with patient beyond just the frame/lens component. Requiring certification would be very helpful, but most employers here do not reimburse us for testing, and it's too expensive for us to afford it without financial assistance. And many opticians are just not interested (although I am.)

**Chris Ryser** · 05-17-2018, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by Rockstargazer

Every day find a teachable moment and make it your priority to teach/coach that young(er) optician in your workplace. That is the only way our craft will survive into the next generation of optical professionals.

.........very noble and recommendable.

Originally Posted by rbaker

The "craft" has changed. The "optician" has changed. The "business" has changed. Don't waste your time. Enjoy your retirement.

........and Dick's statement is a fact that can not be changed, as history has been made by top ranking planning, and will be introduced at their own speed, after the big merger at the end of next month.

**Java99** · 05-17-2018, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Snacks

In my state (TX,) certification is not required. The ignorance that some opticians display is astounding. That's because most offices push high sales above all else. I resist this pressure from my bosses because I want the patient to be satisfied. I don't want the patient to get mad at me, feeling like they are being railroaded into buying add-ons they don't need or want. I am far from a perfect optician and not certified myself, but I have benefited a great deal from my experience as an optometric and ophthalmic technician. It helps me get the whole picture about what might be going on with patient beyond just the frame/lens component. Requiring certification would be very helpful, but most employers here do not reimburse us for testing, and it's too expensive for us to afford it without financial assistance. And many opticians are just not interested (although I am.)

Be an example of what's possible. Walk your talk and get certified. There are so many affordable study options out there!

**Chris Ryser** · 02-12-2019, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by Java99

Be an example of what's possible. Walk your talk and get certified. There are so many affordable study options out there!

Superb advice .....................only a bit late in today's power game and play.

After close to 20 years of making changes to a 100 year old progressive system, without any effective objections from any source, the optical retail trade on the North American Continent has become the test market of the optical monopolis for their world domination.

**lensmanmd** · 02-12-2019, 10:36 PM

Trust me when I say this. Licensed opticians are just as bad. I know. I make glasses for them and I ponder how they passed their boards.

**varzay** · 02-20-2019, 05:21 AM

It may sound like overkill because, in theory, if the patient has been called his job should have been final inspected, benched, and cleaned. But… unless you are the only optician at your shop, and do ALL the work yourself, you really don’t have complete control of what comes out of your lab. The possibility exists that the job might have flaws.

**Chris Ryser** · 02-27-2019, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by varzay

It may sound like overkill because, in theory, if the patient has been called his job should have been final inspected, benched, and cleaned. But… unless you are the only optician at your shop, and do ALL the work yourself, you really don’t have complete control of what comes out of your lab. The possibility exists that the job might have flaws.

Then talk to your boss, to add another professional optician to keep the quality to the top, or start loosing out to the online opticals ot other competition.

**GAgirl** · 03-04-2019, 10:53 AM

When dispensing to Children, ask them their favourite colour initially. Then try and find a frame in that colour for them. Try and not "talk-down" to them or baby them. I usually spend most of the frame selection time on my knee's talking directly to the child. Try and let the child choose the glasses they want - This means that the child is more likely to wear the glasses instead of having them sitting in the case the whole time and the parents have wasted $$$. Many times i have seen a mother or father demand that the child wear a frame they do not like - in 90% of these cases i highly doubt they will ever get used.

Another tip for children - Ask if its their 1st real pair of glasses. If it is, you can give them the "Golden Rules Of Glasses"

1) After the glasses are made with your special magic lenses, the ONLY head in the whole wide world they are allowed to be on is YOURS. Not Your friends. Not your Brothers / Sisters. Just you as these are made special just for you!

2) If they ever hurt you on your nose or your ears, Tell Mum/Dad and come in here and i will fix them just for you! Dont try it yourself!

3) When taking them off and on, ALWAYS use 2 hands - otherwise the sides can get bent out of shape!

4) When they are not on your face, PUT in the CASE!

5) (To the Parent) - They will get knocked out of shape or twisted most likely - Kids will be Kids. Its not the end of the world. Bring them instore and let me fix them here. Dont try a home repair!

I love these tips for kids, specifically the take-home instructions! I obviously always cautioned young contact lens wearers about "sharing" but it never occurred to me to educate my young eyeglass wearers. I do usually try to steer the parent into the direction of frame selection the child wants (as long as it fits) for the same reason you cite. They will throw them in their backpack or desk and won't get worn.