What is your background in optics?
Andrew Oliver [AO]: I started off surfacing lenses and making frames and gained my SMC (tech) qualification. Then I studied for my BSc in dispensing with Abdo and Canterbury Christchurch University. I studied spectacle lens design under Mo Jalie. I have been lucky enough to be mentored throughout my career in optics. Having someone for guidance and support has allowed me to study, further my career and be able to talk through optical concerns.
Throughout my studies I picked up many useful ways to practice. Manufacturing of lenses has given me the knowledge to see a dispense before it is actually produced, to pick up on any problems and give my patients options and solutions.
Why did you decide that dispensing was the profession for you and how do you see your career developing?
AO Every day is different: being able to find out what my patient wants and needs from their eye care and eyewear makes it interesting and very rewarding when they are happy with their final spectacles. The practice is family oriented and I feel at home here. I will continue to improve the dispensing process and coach students on dispensing and technician courses.
What are the most satisfying and challenging aspects of your role as a DO?
AO The best part is to see the patients’ excitement and realisation of the overall finished result. Dispensing spectacles that give a patient their vision back draws on my all-round skill set. As a DO I am responsible for guiding my patients through the following:
? Discussing lifestyle and hobbies and finding out what people really want from spectacles.
? Asking whether there is a need for multiple pairs: one general pair and one near vision pair set up at a certain focal length for a hobby. I also discuss sunglasses to give protection and talk about the history of people’s old spectacles usage, the good and the bad.
? Frame styling and the ability to customise the size, shape and colours.
? Using frame measurements to get the lens individually manufactured to create the best possible visual correction.
? Using my professional skills to position the lens in the frame correctly.
The most challenging part of my role is explaining conditions to patients whose sight is deteriorating due to an eye condition, such as age-related macular degeneration. As a DO you have to be able to deal with the patients’ emotions of sight loss when not being able to dispense spectacles to correct the issue. You need to explain the condition to them and discuss how best to manage the condition, and explain any supplements that the optometrists has advised the patient to take.
What has been your most challenging dispense and how did you help the patient?
AO One of my patients is registered partially blind and has tunnel vision. He wears spectacles to correct his vision. Due to health problems he can get intermittent visual disturbance, this disappears when one eye is occluded.
I dispensed a pair of flexon frames that had a magnetic polarised clip. I adapted the clip so one eye was clear and the other was blacked out, and then consulted the patient’s optometrists as to which eye to occlude. The patient could then keep this clip to hand and use it when necessary. This simple modification made a big difference to the patient’s life.
Which brands do you offer in your practice and why?
AO It is important to carry brands that patients can relate to, or frame concepts that interest the patients.
Our patients like to wear Prada frames due to the name, colours or fashion. Others like the look and weight of a Lindberg. I personally love Maui Jim’s: they have a great frame range for sunglasses and the lens gives great protection and the colour enhancing is a great feature.
The ability to customise frames is very important – changing their measurements, changing the colourway of the front and the sides and coming up with a final choice. I also dispense wooden frames; they’re definitely a talking point.
What’s the one thing you would change about optics dispensing?
AO Ophthalmic dispensing should only be carried out by a qualified professional. The refraction of a patient is regulated, but when it comes to the frame selection and if the frame is fitting correct or if the lenses are measured and positioned correctly, there is little restriction apart from what is set out by the General Optical Council. More training and supervision would mean that more patients would receive better eye correction and overall better care.
To take part in or respond to an Optician’s Insight series email saul.sebag@markallengroup.com
