Echoes of the Past: The resources needed to run an optical practice half a century ago

This week’s Echoes of the Past from Manufacturing Optician in July 1965 takes a look at the resources needed to run an optical practice half a century ago.

Some of the instruments, such as a Bjerrum screen or amblyoscope, may no longer be needed, but most are still everyday requirements of modern day practice.

Indeed, ophthalmoscopes, retinoscopes, chairs and suitable lighting are essentials for the consulting room, while the arrival of more complex retinal imaging equipment such as OCTs makes starting up a new optical business even more daunting these days.

As for dispensing, traditional fitting stations, cabinets and mirrors have in some instances been replaced by sleeker approaches using tablets, but other practices still prefer to do it the old way.