Part 4 Solving Problems and Adaptation Eyeglass Sale

 Solving Problems and Adaptation Eyeglass Sale

Article written by Paulus Maciel. Rights Reserved.

This fourth part of the series on troubleshooting in the sale and fitting of eyeglasses will be very useful as it will address a consumer complaint that is sometimes difficult to be cured. Discomfort glare of the lens.

When we think we just sell anti-glare technology to solve the problems of glare on the lenses of our client, he returns to the shop and complains that sees "rays of light" white or colored shaped rainbow in environments that bother much lighter.

When the lenses are exposed to a larger amount of light can arise in view of the user so-called "white halo" or "colored halos". Halos are unwanted reflections that can be perceived as both monocular binocular vision in his client.

Based on my experience in the care of complaints like these, I present the most common causes for the presence of halos on the lens:

• Absence of anti-glare technology
• Using frames "three parts"
• Residual reflection anti-glare lens
• Lack of fit in the frame

The first and most obvious cause for the emergence of a reflex lens is when it does not have the anti-glare technology. The white halos appear without an anti-reflective lens when it is dirty because when light refracts (exceeds) a surface with dirt, there is an optical phenomenon called "diffraction" which causes light rays to visualize these undesirable addition to causing discomfort, reduce the visual contrast and hence the sharpness. Scratched lenses also result in very light diffraction.

There are two solutions to people using lenses and anti-glare without attending brightly lit environments, the first is to increase the frequency of cleaning the lens and the second lens is a switch for a common lens antirrreflexo. The better the property of anti-reflective lens cleaner, lower incidence diffraction appearance of halos and therefore have the best triple protection against dirt with hydrophobic (net against dirt), oleophobic (against fingerprints) and antistatic (dust) .

When your customer chooses a frame "three parts" to ask if he attends very bright indoors because the halos appear much in this type of glasses.

Pictured beside an easel have three pieces in an environment with artificial lighting. We note that the edges of the lenses are projecting light to the desk where she rests. This is because the edges of this lens are transparent. 

Virtually all lenses in frames three pieces out of the laboratories with the mounting edges so transparent. These edges are very beautiful but are a real problem for anyone who uses this type of frame in artificially lit environments. Recalling that this effect may also occur at the lower edge of the frames of the type "nylon".

As much as this has anti-reflective lens, the technology was not applied at the edge of the lens, so no edge is anti-glare. When this edge is polished, it refracts light, caused unwanted reflections that confuse the user comfortable viewing. In this case, the light rays undesirable assume similar color to the residual reflection treatment applied on the surface.

There are two alternatives that can minimize the halos in three-piece glasses / nylon yarn:

1. Ask the assembler to leave the edges of opaque lenses. This reduces the refraction of light at the edge and consequently the halos. From the aesthetic point of view, the opaque edge is not as beautiful as polished. If you sell three pieces too, keep a sample of polished lens and a sample of opaque lens to show your client.
2. Switch the three-piece frame for a more closed, even nylon, since most of the light will refract more times at the upper edge than at the bottom.

Another aspect that can not be ignored is that lenses with anti-glare more intense residual halos provide more color on the lenses.

Pictured alongside two lenses have anti-reflective, with the upper and lower residual intense with residual heat. Photographed under artificial light lenses and zoom in applied residual reflections to illustrate the presence of halos aberrativa. You may notice that the lens of residual milder, outline the reflection of the lamp is more faithful and "light" reflex is not as aggressive. In the strongest residual lens, we can see that the outline of the lamp is no longer as true and "light" reflex is more aggressive. When the client's head moves in a well-lit environment, this can take the form of residual colored ray of light (halo).

Anti-glare lenses with mild residual, regardless of color be green or blue, are more discreet, less transparent and produce colored halos, that's are much more comfortable in environments with higher artificial lighting. Keep samples of different residual antirreflexos in your store. In the presence of the customer, place the samples on top of a black fabric and show which are the most discreet, so efficient.

The adjustment of the frame is palliative with respect to halos because both the pantoscopic angle adjustment (tilt) as the vertex distance (distance from the lens to the eye) and will minimize the effect does not resolve completely. These two adjustments in respect of the halos, the most important is the vertex distance. Shorten the distance if your client complains of halos on the lenses. Reducing the distance vertex can "take" halos for monocular vision of the user, instead of keeping in the case of a binocular distance vertex longer.

At the end of this matter, we got the following conclusions for optimal preventive sale:

1. Always practice the interview. Always interview your client and ask him about the lighting of the places he frequents.
2. Sale always anti-glare lenses for people who attend very bright indoors.
3. Always offer reflections waste more discreet, because it produce less halos.
4. Provide anti-glare lenses with triple protection against dirt with hydrophobic (net against dirt), oleophobic (against fingerprints) and antistatic (dust).
5. If the customer chooses a frame or three-piece nylon, tell him about the possibility of the presence of halos, because the anti-reflective treatment is not applied at the edges of the lenses. If you sell three pieces, preferably leave the edges dull, but before that, show how an edge is opaque to the client.
6. Let frame always adjusted, especially as the distance vertex. Decreasing this distance, you carry the halo of monocular vision to customers, reducing a little discomfort.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Dry Eye

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Dry Eye

Article written by Paulus Maciel. Rights reserved.

One day, I published an article written by Carl Zeiss Vision on medications that can impair vision. This story had so much attention it received the message from a friend, Olaf Galvão, me suggesting an informative matter about the damage to the vision that the Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) can cause and its relation to the use of certain medications. much I interested in the subject, because each in its award, are professional vision and all information that can educate people is and will always be welcome.

"The Stevens-Johnson syndrome, also called erythema multiforme major, part of a set of changes to skin and mucosal hypersensitivity reaction triggered by ... after use of certain drugs (eg, sulfonamides, anti-inflammatory, penicillin, barbiturates, allopurinol and vaccines) "
(1)

The Stevens-Johnson syndrome is considered rare, from 0.4 to 1.2 cases per 1 million persons per year
 (2) and currently there is a list of over 100 drugs that prolonged use can trigger the syndrome. Each year many experts, from dentists, urologists, dermatologists and ophthalmologists also present papers on their studies related to the treatment of SJS.

With respect to the eye, Stevens-Johnson acts on the conjunctiva, which is the acute catarrhal conjunctivitis (swelling and redness of the eyes) or mucopurulent (infectious)
 (3).

"After the acute arise conjunctival scarring and dry eye. Severe cases, changes may occur eyelid (...) and even corneal keratinization, compromising visual acuity"
 (4)

Throughout these paintings, patients perceive typical symptoms such as photophobia, ocular pain, discharge, tearing, irritation and foreign body sensation. These symptoms are very similar to conjunctivitis, but some tests such as Schirmer can detect severe dry eye, ocular consequence role in Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

A clinical study of the School of Medicine and published in the Brazilian Archives of Ophthalmology (1) in 2010 was performed in 7 patients with SJS with ocular symptoms previously detected. In attempt to reduce irritation and photophobia, in addition to keeping the eyes lubricated for longer, providing greater welfare to those who suffer from dry eye, were adapted scleral contact lenses in these patients. 

The scleral contact lens (contact lens that covers the entire cornea) is produced with diameters ranging form customized according to the characteristics of surfaces and each ocular of the sight and adjusted by hand by a prosthesis.

In this case series of patients with ocular sequelae of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, was highlighted in a clinical study, Escola Paulista de Medicina the high percentage of successful adaptation of scleral contact lenses, with improvement in symptoms of eye irritation, discharge and photophobia in 85% of cases.

 At the end of this matter, came to the conclusion that the eminence of prolonged use of medications such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, etc., ask your doctor about the consequences of using these drugs long-term. Also ask your doctor if there are medicines for the same treatment, but without damage to future health.

References:

(1) - Contact lens scleral eye on rehabilitation of patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome.Architect Bras. Oftalmol. vol.73 no.5 Sao Paulo Sept. / Oct. 2010.

(2) - Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with the use of antimicrobials. University of Pernambuco. 2008.

(3) - Dantas PE. Cicatricial conjunctivitis. External ocular diseases and cornea. Rio de Janeiro: Culture Medica; 1999. p.226-32.

(4) - Gould HL. Therapeutic effect of flush fitting scleral lenses and hydrogel bandage lenses. Int Surg. 1973, 58 (7) :469-72.

VITAMIN n Vision

VITAMIN Vision

Article written by Paulus Maciel. Rights reserved.

We all know that food is fundamental to the health of our eyes, especially under the preventive aspect, since 70% of diseases are associated with poor diet. This area aims to describe what are the vitamins and food groups that benefit our vision, from a night myopia preventing retinal degeneration in function of age.Vitamin A (Retinol)

• Causes of vitamin deficiency: lack of breastfeeding or early weaning, insufficient consumption of foods high in fat and vitamin or frequent infections that lead to decreased appetite.

• Effects: Its deficit causes decreased visual acuity after dark (night myopia), dry conjunctiva, corneal ulceration and inflammation of the eyelids.

• Food: Carrot, avocado, cashew, peach, spinach, chard, endive tomatoes, liver, egg yolk, dairy.

• Recommended daily dose for an adult: 900 micrograms.

• Excess can cause: In chronic cases, there may be hair loss, dryness of mucous membranes, fever, insomnia, fatigue, weight loss, bone fractures, anemia and diarrhea.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

• Causes of vitamin deficiency: Inadequate intake.

• Effects: It is important to prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

• Food: Citrus and other fruits, tomatoes, cabbage raw, melon, green leafy vegetables.

• Recommended daily dose for an adult: 60 milligrams.

• Excess can cause: Poor blood circulation in smokers.

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)

• Causes of vitamin deficiency: Individuals who can not absorb dietary fat.

• Effects: Powerful antioxidant that, combined with other vitamins may reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

• Food: apple, avocado, plum tomatoes, asparagus, bananas, melons, wheat germ and margarine.

• Recommended daily dose for an adult: 10 milligrams.

• Excess can cause: Weight Gain

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

• Causes of vitamin deficiency: Low intake of foods rich in the vitamin.

• Effects: Protects eyes from cataracts and preserves.

• Food: Vegetables, milk, flour, yeast, bananas, lentils and potatoes.

• Recommended daily dose for an adult: 1.5 milligrams.

• Excess may cause: The excess is naturally eliminated through urine.

Lutein

• Description: Lutein is a carotenoid, or a dye or pigment naturally present in some foods. 

• Causes of vitamin deficiency: Low intake of foods rich in the vitamin. 

• Effects: Protects eyes from harmful solar radiation. It is effective in preventing cataracts and AMD. For more information about AMD versus lutein, clickHERE.

• Food: Spinach, pumpkin, tomatoes, peppers, corn, broccoli.

• Recommended daily dose for an adult: 20 microgaramas.

• Excess can cause: Not registered.

A great visual health depends on several factors, among them, good nutrition, moderate sun exposure, preventive health. In the case of refractive errors, refractive seek the professional you trust.

Deploy Optical offers new hope for elderly patients with eye diseases

Deploy Optical offers new hope for elderly patients with eye diseases

A new and re volucionário treatment for illness s degenerative eye among the elderly is being used in the United States. A mini telescope is installed on glo bo patient's eye to restore his vision .

Jane Waterman, 79, says macular degeneration began to affect his visionthere a few years ago. She barely could see the faces of people . When someone spoke to me, I had to ask: "Are you Falanof me? "says the elderly.

Macular degeneration is an aging process which begins harming central vision.  Until now, there was no actual treatment.

Waterman is one of primeir the s person to experience the call CentraSight  , a mini telescope the size of a pea, implanted inside the eyeball.  It works as if it were the lens of a camera photo printing.

"Until and nas , patients with macular degeneration had to use telescope s mounted on the lenses ofhis glasses, "di z ophthalmologist Dr. Gina Cottle.  " CentraSight d capacity increases patientsusually coexist with the ther people, because they can observing an image with a simple movimentar of head instead of limiting your peripheral vision through  telescope mounted n the glasses. "

The s doctors say that the adaptation of the patient who had implanted the CentraSight takesbetween six months to a year . During this period, users perform specific rehabilitation exercises, which will provide an ad aptação efficient implantation.

"It's just a matter of teaching the brain to use the implant because it is unlike anything I've ever experienced," said Waterman.

For her, the change was dramatic , because in just three months she was able to adapt .

"It's wonderful, and it gets even better c om the weeks went by , "said Waterman.

This surgery is not for everyone, you must 75 years or more to get the implant, and you may not have been subjected to any surgery before cataract .

Measurements of frames

Measurements of frames surfassagem

Article written by Paulus Maciel. All rights reserved. A major concern of the professional optical is on the final thickness of the lenses surfassadas requested the laboratory. Several aspects can influence this thickness, including: choice of frame, refractive index compatible with the recipe etc. items mentioned above are fundamental to obtain a perfect lens diameter to optimize the thickness of it, however, if measures of frame are not well taken, the result of the diameter will not leave in accordance with all the care you took preventive during the sale. surfassadas In order lens is necessary to note the work order value in millimeters of the bridge hoop and diagonal Vertical frame to reduce the diameter of the block in the right measure for optimization of the thickness of the final product.

Optical ruler with scale in cm

Before talking about the practice of measuring the rim itself, I will name the instrument that may be primarily responsible for the measures barely made ​​the ruler. Abro this topic inviting you to reflect with me: "If all measures are taken in the frame millimeters, that all rules are optical branch with scale in inches? "

Start from scratch in optical rulers

According to my 12 years of practical experience in this matter, I can say that taking measured in millimeters with centimeter scale induces professionals to error at the time of recording the data in order, especially when the day is busy and he , by necessity, need to work faster. rule The second factor that leads many professionals to make mistakes is the position where the "zero" the scale starts on the instrument. Notice in the picture the first two rules where the scale starts after edge and the second scale that starts exactly on the edge. Danger Scale to get past the border, which is using the border to support the ruler in the frame, you will measure 1 millimeter to more than it should, since the "zero" starts after this support.

Measurements of the side frame, in both cases, using the edge as a support strip, we see that the first rule is zero after starting the edge of the frame. This action will cause the professional measure the horizontal rim with the most 1 mm.

the second rule, the "zero" scale is starting at the edge of the frame, so the horizontal extent of the rim is perfect.

You must be wondering "Oh, one millimeter more or less will not make a difference ...". Do not forget that the full measure of a hoop, you will position the edge of the ruler four different times where we 1mm over the bridge, 1mm more horizontally, diagonally over 1mm to 1mm larger and more upright; totaling 4mm more on his work order, enough to leave a thicker lens.

Several times I witnessed consumers buying lenses and keeping the same frames, where the new lenses were thicker due to incorrect retelling of the frame measures current client with inadequate ruler. At this point I want to make a suggestion. If you have in your store any rule that the "zero" starting after the edge of it, throw it out or use a utility knife to cut the space between "zero" and the edge of the ruler.

Another common error happens in the measurement of hoop placement is "zero" over the edge of the frame, so that you measure millimeters to more than it should.Measurement of a rim consists in measuring the horizontal, vertical and diagonal through the inner edges of the frame and not on the outside. To measure a ring in its inner edge, place the zero between the inner edge of the rim and the top of the lens. Pictured next to the text have the same ruler, but in the example above showing "zero" over the edge of the rim , which is incorrect, because it will give a result in millimeters larger than necessary. the example below, we have the "zero" placed on the inside edge of the rim, causing the measure to be perfect. Always an inner edge of the ring to another. Now we can leave for the explanation of each part of the rim to be measured. 1 - The horizontal rim is the largest horizontal distance between the inside edges of the frame, as shown below.

2 - vertical rim is the greatest vertical distance between the inside edges of the frame, as illustrated.

3 - As the bridge is the shortest distance between the inner edge of the frame corresponding to the OD and the inner edge of the frame corresponding to the OE, as illustrated below.

4 - The height is the pupillary distance in millimeters between the marking point and the lower edge of the frame.

5 - the diagonal is the largest diagonal distance between the inner edges of the frame. Pay attention to know which diagonal of the rim is the greatest, from left to right or right to left. See illustration

The excellent illustrations above, I got through the website of Hoya, if you want to download the complete guide of taken measures, CLICK HERE.

The last two tips are:

1. Never add 2mm as a safety margin in order, because all programs that calculate diameters in these laboratories already added 2mm. If you put 2mm more in some measure, the system will understand that any laboratory is 4mm. The diameter fai get bigger and thicker lens.
2. Avoid bending the strip during the measurement of the rim, since this action may result in higher measures than necessary.If you can, remove the lens demo (demo lens frame) draw it on a white paper and make measurements with a ruler in lens design on paper and not in the frame, with the exception of the bridge height and pupillary course .

Taking all these precautions, I'm sure you will get good manual measurements of the frames to lenses surfassadas request. The diameter is made as small as possible and optimal to the thickness of the lens and assembling eyeglasses.

Understanding lensometria

Understanding lensometria

Article written by Paulus Maciel. Rights Reserved. This area aims to help eliminate the difficulty in using optical professional focimeter to read the diopter lens glasses. based on a presentation I'm going to put together the right time, called "Testing Lensometria." The language to be used in this regard will be as objective as possible. A language will be objective, but the understanding should be done calmly and lots of practice. I suggest that you read and practice this matter with a reserved time. To facilitate the visualization of all the information, I'll post pictures of large size. Firstly we need to know the parts that make up a focimeter:

• Ocular. Where do we put our eye to see the display's internal focimeter.
• Display drum axis. Thumbwheel that makes the image sharper display internal focimeter. This internal image is a grid that shows the positions of the axis to be read.
• Drum diopters. Thumbwheel to be handled while reading diopters spherical and cylindrical.
• Drum axis. Rotary knob to be handled during reading the axis of cylindrical diopter.

Watch an aerial image of the drums and the axis of diopters.

Now I will describe the other components of lensometros, especially those near the lenses to be measured:

• Fork lift. Support that holds the lens so that it is in the right position reading.
• Adjust the fork. Lever that allows up and down the fork lift.
• Support sighting. This bracket has an opening that will be the target of focimeter. Normally lensometros comes with at least two holders with sights of different apertures choosing the optical. I prefer to aim with the smallest aperture.
• Mira. Opening which will allow the reading of the display diopters in required location. The aim should be positioned in the region of the lens where the optical need to read the diopter. I'll separate a topic to talk about the party position crosshairs.
• Center marker. With three support tips which can be soaked with ink for marking the optical center of the lens.
• Table support. Support that keeps the glasses straight to the fork lift can hold the lens, so the sight of focimeter position yourself correctly for reading.
• Adjust table. Lever up or down which allows the table to support the glasses stay at the correct height measurement.

The sight of focimeter need to be very well positioned for the proper reading of diopters.In single vision lenses, optical center after being found, it is just that the diopter will be read.

In progressive multifocal lenses, the sight of focimeter must have the following positions:

• Diopter far. The opening of the entire target must be positioned above the height marking pupil, also known as cross assembly.
• Prism balance. The point prism for reading the multifocal lens varies with lens design. Essilor lenses in the prism is 4mm below the cross assembly in the prism Zeiss lens is 6mm cross, except the lens compact Sola. In the Hoya lens prism is 4mm below the cross.
• Diopter closely. The reading point is at the bottom of the lens to the marking decentered to the nasal between 2.5 and 5.0 mm depending on the design of the lens.
• To redial the multifocal lens, ask the manufacturer to your feedback and access a matter I wrote about rebooking progressive lenses.

Before you start reading the diopter, it is necessary to adjust the display's viewing focimeter according to our eyesight, so we can see exactly how much the display will show the reticles that reading the diopters:

• Keep focimeter off
• In place of the lens, place a white sheet of paper in front of the crosshairs focimeter
• Rotate the eyepiece to leave the dial shaft very clear (target format picture)
• Do not forget to rotate the drum axis of the display to make it in the correct position (target at the upper right of the image below)

Now we know the internal display focimeter still off. 

When we turn on the focimeter, we find superimposed on an image display bright green, which can be shaped cross or circle. These images are called "reticules". The format of the reticle varies by brand and model focimeter. In this matter I will show you how to read in both formats reticle.

Come to the reading with cross reticle. This cross is formed by two meridians, the first one is what we call a "spherical". Note that all traces of spherical lattice have the same length.

The other meridian is cylindrical. Note that the features of reticle means are longer precisely to serve as a pointer to indicate the axis.

The reading of the diopter consists in leaving the image clearer these reticles possible, even one at a time.

Step by step of reading a spherical lens diopter:

• Place the glasses in the table focimeter in order to position the crosshairs of the field lens being measured diopter. 
• Drop the fork to hold the glasses.
• Turn the diopter drum and try to leave the crosshairs very clear.
• If both reticle spherical cylindrical were as sharp at the same time, this means that the lens has only spherical diopter.
• After leaving the two reticules very clear, note that the diopter dial of the focimeter indicates as being spherical.

When a lens is combined, the reticles are sharp only separately. The combined reading of a lens is to read the diopter of each separate reticles and calculates the difference in diopter with one another, thereby causing the diopter spherical and cylindrical.

Step by step of reading a sphero cylindrical diopter lens:

• Place the glasses in the table focimeter in order to position the crosshairs of the field lens being measured diopter. 
• Drop the fork to hold the glasses.
• By default, we start reading the spherical diopter
• Turn the diopter drum and axle while to let the ball well clear reticle.
• When turning the drum shaft to the right, you will notice that the ball will stay sharp reticle. Write down the value of a draft diopter found.

• Now rotate the drum axis and diopter clockwise. Note that the spherical lattice will also be clear, but with a different value diopter. Note the diopter value in this draft.

Read your draft and compare the diopter noted. The diopter MORE positive will be considered spherical. In the example below were found to +0.50 diopters and +3.00. The more positive diopter them is +3.00, +3.00 is therefore the diopter spherical lens. Now we can find the following diopter cylindrical.

• Turn the diopter drum and axle while leaving until the reticle clear cylindrical well.
• When turning the drum shaft to the right, you will notice that the reticle is clear cylindrical vai. Write down the value of a draft diopter found. In the example below +1.00

• Now rotate the drum axis and diopter clockwise. Note that the cylindrical lattice will also be clear, but with a different value diopter. Note the diopter value in this draft. In the example below +2.50.

Read your draft and compare the diopter noted. The difference between the diopter LESS MORE positive and positive will be considered cylindrical. In the example below were found to +1.00 diopters and +2.50. The numerical difference between the diopter is 1.50 (this account does not take into account the sign, only the numerical differences). The numerical difference found is the diopter negative cylindrical lens, so time -1.50 cyl.

  

• Turn the diopter drum in the opposite direction that you think the diopter less positive in the case +1.00. Let the reticle clear cylindrical and observe the display of focimeter which is the axis of the cylindrical diopter. In example 45 °.

The final reading is: +2.50 - 1.50 at 45 °

Now I'll show you how to read in a circle with crosshairs.

When the drum is rotated and diopters of any circle is marked, means reading a spherical diopter. To read a spherical lens, simply rotate the drum Dioptre leave the circle until completely crisp. See the display which is the spherical diopter.

We know when the lens is combined only when the reticle is clear when its shape is like a cone. See the format in the example below.

Step by step of reading a sphero cylindrical diopter lens:

• Place the glasses in the table focimeter in order to position the crosshairs of the field lens being measured diopter. 
• Drop the fork to hold the glasses.
• By default, we start reading the spherical diopter
• Rotate the drum until Dioptre leave cone-shaped reticle very clear.
• Note the diopter found a stub. In the example below +2.50

• Simply turn the diopter drum counterclockwise until the cone-shaped reticle is sharp again, now with a different result diopter. Note the diopter found a stub.In the example below +1.00

The spherical diopter will always be more positive among them. In the example below the more positive is +2.50, then the ball is +2.50 diopter.

The numerical difference between the diopter more positive and less positive is a negative diopter cylindrical lens. In the example below, the numerical difference between 2.50 and 1.00 is 1.50, so the diopter negative cylindrical lens is -1.50.

To find the axis of the cylindrical diopter:

• Turn the diopter drum in the opposite direction that you found the strength less positive in the case +1.00. 
• Rotate the drum axis and allow display of the meridian line of the display parallel to the direction of sharpness of the reticle cone-shaped. The display itself will indicate the axis in the case below 165 °.

The final reading is: +2.50 -1.50 to 165 °

For that you get maximum result of learning with information that matter, I recommend that you practice enough to lensometria with the widest possible lens. Only constant practice in the skills necessary for reading will be obtained in focimeter. Want to download a free book to study lensometria? Go to the download area Paulus Blog, click HERE and you will be directed there. the letter "A" search for "Handout Lensometria"

What is an Optometrist?

What is an Optometrist?

An optometrist is a eye vision specialist, rather than a medical doctor. The optometrist is licensed to conduct eye exams, prescribe corrective contact lenses and glasses, and diagnose and treat eye disease. He or she will work through various vision therapies to treat abnormalities, and can prescribe drugs for the eyes. If surgery is required, the patient is sent to an ophthalmologist (M.D.).

Many people mistakenly believe that an ophthalmologist, as a medical doctor, is better to see for routine eye exams than an optometrist. Though there is nothing wrong with seeing an ophthalmologist, his or her expertise is in surgery, while the optometrist specializes in the kind of care required for routine eye exams and noninvasive therapies and treatments for eye dis

ease. An ophthalmologist will normally have higher fees than an optometrist, and might hand off much of the routine exam to an in-house optometrist anyway. If a problem arises that can be treated with surgery or alternate therapies, the ophthalmologist might be more likely to suggest surgery, while the optometrist will likely exhaust other potential treatments first. Unless a problem exists that requires an ophthalmologist, an optometrist will likely be a more cost-effective choice for routine eye care.

In the United States, a person that has completed at least three years of higher education at an accredited university or college is eligible to attend an accredited four-year school in optometry. This is followed by state board examinations, both written and clinical. The optometrist may then choose to complete an additional one-year residency to specialize in any number of areas including family practice, ocular disease, pediatric optometry and vision therapy.

In the Pakistan there is a 4 years degree program after F.sc Pre-Medical.

A routine eye exam is generally recommended at least once yearly. If you are experiencing problems with your vision such as blurriness, burning or stinging, dryness or loss of visual acuity, it is wise to see an optometrist immediately.