It’s all in a day’s work!

I still get asked “What do you do?” “What’s a Dispensing Optician?”

The Art of Ophthalmic Dispensing

A Dispensing Optician (DO) advises on, fits and supplies the most appropriate spectacles after taking account of each patient’s visual, lifestyle and vocational needs. DO’s also play an important role in advising and dispensing low vision aids to those who are partially sighted as well as advising on and dispensing to children. They are trained in child safeguarding. Look out for the qualification FBDO.

The frame will enable a pair of lenses to be fitted in a comfortable and optically correct position in front of the eyes. Each element of the dispense, the frame and the lenses must be succinct to ensure the ‘perfect dispense’.

Frame fitting is essentially an art! To fit a frame comfortably and accurately indeed takes a perfectionist!

Dispensing John Craven his new “Seiko” Varifocals

Let’s look at a typical day:

The patient comes in and would like an eye examination. New or existing patient? It doesn’t matter – all patient identifiable information – name, address, date of birth, contact numbers, postcode and ‘sensitive personal information’ such as racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, physical or mental health conditions, sexual life or criminal record and even bank details. The UK law says ‘all health information is sensitive’ and we must ensure this patient information is confidential, secure, accurate and up-to-date. Do remember to ask the patient to confirm their details to you, rather than reading their details out loud.

Before any kind of treatment or fitting of glasses, contact lenses, etc we must obtain valid consent from the patient before we begin. This consent needs to remain valid during the patient journey so do check when taking all the patient details that they consent to you having on record their details and ensure you follow the data protection act, consent before and during the eye examination and finally during the dispense and the fitting procedure and so on and so forth.

Explain that we will only use the patient identifiable information for the purposes it was given and only when we are required to share it by law.

Source: http://guides.douglascollege.ca/dispensingoptician-sg

The care, well-being and safety of our patients is our overriding concern. This is at the heart of a Dispensing Optician’s day.

The first 30 seconds can make or break the first impression you have during handover from the optometrist. Make sure the patient/customer/client warms to you immediately.
Use the patient’s name a lot, so it sticks in your mind and you remember them when they come to collect.
Interpretation and translation of prescriptions
Lifestyle questioning: Ask questions about their typical day including occupation, hobbies, exercise and healthy living.
Put yourself in their shoes and establish their needs.
Take the pupillary distance and discuss lenses.
Frame and style advising – look at face shape, hair, eye and overall colouring. Again – think of what they use them for, what they’ve had before, have they spare pairs, sun protection, or sportswear.

Source: lenstechopticalgroup.co.uk t:@LenstecOptical @Versport & My son’s collection of Julbo sport and sunwear @LenstechOptical

Frame selection. We need to be up-to-date with the latest trends.
Take the required measurements for the frame and lenses.
Price and payment.
Give an approximation of delivery time.
Check a suitable contact number or email.
Give the person you are with a great experience, with styling advice and value for money.
This list is by no means exhaustive.

The dispensing routine can be developed in ways that will relax the patient, improve the image of the practice and make the best use of professional time.

2a4184b746e372f2307bd6e8e598920f — Keep Calm and have a cup of tea! www.supermug.co.uk

During our day, we may also:

Teach how to insert and remove contact Lenses
Dispense and advise on Low Vision Aids
Order the glasses
Order contact lenses
Liaise with prescription houses, ophthalmic lens and frame suppliers
Verify completed spectacles using a focimeter
Deal with queries and complaints
Deal with the Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)
Fittings and adjustments
Do repairs on spectacles
Do stock checks – Frames / Solutions and Accessories
Work with Practice Management Software
Ensure the practice is kept tidy
Carry out general reception duties
Purchase stock for the practice i.e. New frames

I try to recommend having more than one pair of glasses. I certainly have a pair for winter and a pair for summer and try different shapes for different occasions, outfits and time of day!