Just announced today, opticians in British Columbia (Canada) will be legislated to perform stand alone refractions using automated equipment:
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/nrm_news_...014-000190.pdf
Refracting Opticians Approved!!
Just announced today, opticians in British Columbia (Canada) will be legislated to perform stand alone refractions using automated equipment:
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/nrm_news_...014-000190.pdf
Last edited by Shwing; 04-11-2004 at 11:04 PM.
Shwing
You all do realize that this could mean blood in the streets, rampant blindness, folks wearing glasses for no reason, cars meandering all over the streets! You see, your Optician bretheren and sister...en(?) slightly to the south are too stupid to be trusted to operate and interpret findings from automated refracting equipment.
;) You crazy Canadians...
I think it's an insult that you are not allowed to subjectively refine an Rx, and have to use automated equipment only. Are they trying to say that opticians are unable to be trained to refract? I guess it's better than nothing, but if you're going to do something, do it right! P.S. How are you supposed to get an add with an autorefractor?
Best news I've heard in a while........Good on ya Shwing!!!
This will give opticianry a whole new life in my opinion. And for those who say OD's are better refractionists... refraction depends on the person and acedemic education has nothing to do with it.
As with all else there will be that can and those that can't...(just like with OD's!!!):D
This will give opticianry a whole new life in my opinion. And for those who say OD's are better refractionists... refraction depends on the person and acedemic education has nothing to do with it.
As with all else there will be that can and those that can't...(just like with OD's!!!):D
Heres another scary thought. The training required for opticians will be more than an Opthamolgist!!
I am proud to hear of this fantastic step forward. Canadian Opticians need to move ahead in all provinces, and should be very proud. I wish you all the best. As an educator who has actively taught American Opticians to refract for many years, it can be done, and successfully, under the right circumstances.
Opticians everywhere.....get on board!
Warren
Three cheers for our Canadian brethren! As Warren has suggested, its time for us all to get on board.
hj
Question for my friend Ian-
Can you give us any history to this announcement. How did the move begin-were the other eyecare professionals supportive? Give us all the background you can.
Half expected to see you in NY-you were conspicuous by your absence.
"Always laugh when you can. It is a cheap medicine"
Lord Byron
Take a photo tour of Cape Cod and the Islands!
www.capecodphotoalbum.com
To drk's comment, I actually sorta agree. Stand alone refractions performed by whatever means deemed appropriate is the ultimate goal (including objective and then subjective refinements). Here in Alberta, we already had/ have the ability to do automated refractions, provided the final rx was approved by a doctor (MD- the OD's won't touch it=surprise) who may or may not (usually not) be on site (a system called Eyelogic).
The big difference in BC now, is the optician no longer needs to get doctor signoff. A huge first step. In Alberta, we too expect to have an increase in scope, but will not settle for just performing automated refractions. Alberta opticians are seeking independant refractions, period.
Harry, sorry I couldn't make it to NY. Been too long, so we must get together for a bevvie. To your question of the evolution, well, do you have a few days?
Shwing
Good JOB to Opticians in the North.........
YOU have the forsight for the comming future and bringing the Opticianary to the next level. Thats just MARVELOUS.
With the OD's having their plate full in getting into the realm of Opthamolgy, I think its only a natural evolotion that Optician will step on the plate and fill the void on the science of refraction. It is a step forward and we need to do the same in this States. The gun has been fired and now is the time to start moving ahead to the future.
Harry, you know I can't leave you hanging...
If you are interested, you may contact:
Alberta Opticians Association:
http://www.albertaopticians.org/
Shwing
The autorefractor referred to is the Eyelogic system, refraction system attatched to an auto refractor and lensmeter, steps are the same as manually refracting, fogging, duochrome, cross cylinder testing, phoria testing if desired and of course add testing, one advantage of this system over manuel testing is that the cross cylinder test is simplified by testing power and orientation at the same time, ultimately subjective refraction is just that, whether manually or computerized, it is still an art. This is a great step for all Opticians, and i encourage all Opticians to become proactive in their respective jurisdictions!!
One more thing, congrats to Optometry, they were granted TPA's in B.C., some physicians disagree with this, as far as i know, a TPA certified O.D. has never blinded a patient!
HA! most MD's blind the patient on the first refraction!:D :D :D
Knowledgelable and reality-oriented opticians have been "refining" the "Rxs" of MD's and (G-d forbid) OD's for years!
The (G-d forbid) patients of opticians have been quite greatful for the help and undersatanding that opticians have provided in bringing the real world into focus for them.
Thank you , Canada!!! "Oh, Canada, Oh, Canada ..........
Watch out for the retarded brothers to the South ..... they may actually get this one......
And the OD's who are focusing on being the Optometric Physician... may they vacate their historical position and be successful! ..... and allow opticians to continue doing what they have always done ...... bring reality and the patient together through "proper" eyewear!
Last edited by Homer; 04-07-2004 at 06:37 AM.
Bravo
Dr.Shwing,
as per ripper post, eyelogic system has inbuit subjective mechanosm so optivians can do both objective nassesment & subjective refimenment! since term coined is automated,you can also use automated refractor heads(phoropter)for subje ctive refining?
Can opticians sign off the Rx or they're requiresd to be sent to optoim mnedist or ophthalmologist?
at last Bravoto canadaians!!!- Depak
Deepak, the legislation provides for the opticians to do the automated sight testing as a stand alone procedure- no OD or MD sign off.
CONGRATULATION!
My heartiest congratulations to BC opticians for the achievement.You will now be able to legally write an optical prescription.Well done!
Ian,congrats to you as well for gaining doctoral status(learnt from Deepak):D
Regards,
Shabbir
Shabbir, good to hear from you! I thank you for your accolades. Actually, I take little credit. There are many other people who truely deserve the honours.
Now, tell me, what's this about 'doctoral' status??? Certain things are in the works, but, well...
Hello Ian,
Glad to see your message. I will email you shortly at your work.
Regarding “doctoral” status thing, Deepak addressing you “Dr.Shwing” confused me vertiginously, as some sort of palaver.However I apologize for being inscrutable.
With much approbation & good wishes,
:cheers:
Shabbir
The new BC Health Act is finally in the process of being completed.
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/leg/regulatoryreform.html
The updated Opticians Act is complete as of Oct 15th, 2008.
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/leg/pdfs...ticiansReg.pdf
No mention of independent auto refractions, in fact nothing has been changed. Does this mean its over?
Right on!, drk!Originally Posted by drk
Barry
Barry, four year old comment. :)
Sorry, a duh!
Barry
^This has happened right now.
The proposed auto refraction amendments were NOT incorporated into the new Opticians Act (coming into force in dec 2008).
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