Every year the Optician Awards has the privilege to showcase one of the many unsung heroes within the optical industry. This year, the accolade of Dispensing Optician of the Year went to Ned Saunders following his work with SeeAbility.
Saunders became SeeAbility’s first full time dispensing optician (DO) just over 12 months ago, and has since made a huge impact on both his patients and colleagues. ‘It’s the best job in optics,’ says Saunders. ‘As a DO I don’t want to make a prescription of glasses and then just wash my hands of it, I’m not giving the child what they need that way.’
Saunders really does go the extra mile when it comes to the dispense, often cycling across London personally delivering frames after collecting them from the lab. He also places his phone number in every glasses case so parents or teachers can call him if the frames need to be replaced or repaired. Saunders sticks to a two-week turnaround from when the prescription is logged until the child is sporting the new frames – an impressive feat considering it is a one-man job.
After graduating from ABDO college, Saunders began work at Specsavers as a DO. However, his work as a volunteer at a school helping children with speech difficulties and a charity youth club made Saunders realise working in a retail environment was not for him. He says: ‘I always knew I didn’t want to be working in a shop and I wanted a new challenge. Now I am integral to the team and manage my own caseload of children in every school. I always make sure to follow up in the classroom a month or so after fitting to see if the frames are a comfortable fit for the child and if they are wearing them regularly.’
Seemingly humble by nature, Saunders was nominated for the award by Lisa Donaldson. He says: ‘Of course I was really over the moon about the award, more than anything it raises awareness about the type of work we do. I wanted to show that dispensing optics doesn’t have to always be the same pathway and you can be involved in other stuff.’
Like many award winners, the win completely took Saunders by surprise. ‘I had absolutely no idea I was going to win, I was really quite cynical about it up until the last minute, I thought it would go to one of the bigger companies. Now I want to see others DOs getting more involved and realise what their potentials are.’
Outside the classroom, Saunders works as a sub-regional lead for ABDO, working closely with local optical committees and their dispensing opticians. He also delivers CET education seminars at conferences up and down the country.
Saunders’ passion for his work is strikingly apparent. Whether it is cycling across the capital, dispensing in the classroom or lending a hand during a specialist sight test, he is always kept busy. His wealth of knowledge seems to be a reassuring force with the school’s teachers, often advising them on the best ways for the child to get used to wearing the glasses and what to do should they become broken. It is clear the children love him too, with some offering out hugs and giggles when Saunders is trying to do a frame fitting. His dedication to the profession and furthering the quality of life of his patients is exactly what an Optician Award ought to be given for.
Dispensing optician of the Year 2017
Winner: Ned Saunders, SeeAbility
Shortlisted:
James Dawson, Serendipity Optical Consultants
Justin Kellett, Justin Kellett Opticians
Robin Rohu, Bayfields Opticians (trading as Norman Cope Opticians)
Sue Edwards, Martin Smith Opticians