I just want to share with you all the narrowmindedness we all, at times, have to deal with, day-in and day-out...
Here is a thread I picked up on from one of the other vision forums. Never mind the authors' name for now...the subject is " Sight Testing "...and this is word-for-word...please, try to endure this!
" Hi folks, I don't know if you've heard about a new facet of the optical industry called sight testing. I believe it's only in Canada right now, probably due to liability issues. This is where a Licensed Optician does what is essentially an autorefraction on the customer. These " tests " are performed free of charge as long as the customer agrees to buy their specs there. Imagine a situation where people rarely get the health of their eyes examined; they simply ge these objective refractions done over and over again. To say that Licensed Opticians have a cursory knowledge of the eye and visual system would be overly complimentary, to say nothing of the pathology that will, and I stress the word WILL , be missed. Most people in Optometry know personally many folks who have experienced permanent vision loss due to non-examination of the eyes. Most of these folks experienced little or no symptoms until it was too late. What do you folks think of this practice? ".
Well, there you have it, verbatim. I suppose this individual, the author that is, is addressing this question to fellow Optometrists.
I've worked alongside Optometrists who prefer to do their own pre-testing...and also with those ODs preferring to entrust their opticianry staff to perform pre-testing routine...but always under close supervision...ALWAYS! The instrumentation being used is high-tech with a fairly high degree of accuracy...with experience, it becomes an everyday, routine task.
Now, I can understand a certain unwillingness on the part of an inexperienced optician to learn these seemingly complicated machines...but if these tasks are a part of a job description...then it becomes compulsory or out the door they go, the optician that is. At no time, have I seen these instruments used carelessly or hastily where a patient could be injured in some way. But to say or think, or even suggest that Licensed Opticians have an insignificant, or be shallow in their knowledge of optics is WRONG!
I can only say to the author of this thread, if he should lower himself to read these replys; Mr. Optometrist, OPEN YOUR OWN EYES!...WIDER...WIDER.
Best Regards,
John Stevenson
a.k.a. EyeCon
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