DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:13 Page 1
dispensingoptics
Dispensing Optics PO Box 233, Crowborough TN6 9BD Telephone: 01892 667626 Fax: 01892 667626 Email: [email protected] August 2012 Website: www.abdo.org.uk DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:13 Page 2 DO August 2012_1 25/07/2012 14:50 Page 3
3 dispensingoptics CONTENTS
August 2012
3 Cover point 4 Continuing Education and Training Common technical enquiries Cover point by David Jones 14 Patient and practice management Calling in the creatives by Antonia Chitty
16 Membership matters Supporting members locally and nationally
18 Frequently asked questions by Kim Devlin
20 ABDO Conference and New Articles of Association being held in Stratford-upon-Avon on Exhibition By now, all full members who are Saturday 29 September 2012. Conference agenda entitled to vote should have received, by post, all the documentation for the Future conference plans 22 Member musings ballots that will take place regarding As from 2013 the Association’s annual Here come the men in white coats the new Articles of Association and meeting will move to the spring, as will by Dave Wright the proposed name change. Anyone the conference, which will take place entitled to vote and not in receipt of on alternate years to Optrafair. 24 Newsbrief the appropriate mailing is urged to 25 The President’s diary contact Katie Docker in the Next year we will hold our annual by Jennifer Brower membership department (01227 meeting at Optrafair 2013 along with 733912) as soon as possible. an ABDO CET event, which will 37 Optician Index highlight innovations in optics. May 2012 summary I hope as many members as possible will take the opportunity of casting In the spring of 2014, we will hold our 40 Disjointed jottings from their vote. next conference and details, a DO’s desk . . . regarding time and venues, will be Social media or unsocial person The result of the ballots will be announced in the near future. by Louise Ballantyne announced at the end of the AGM We have made these changes in 42 CET answers response to feedback from members, Colour vision and traffic recognition sponsors and exhibitors and hope you all will feel able to support the 43 Diary of Events Association as we continue our work of promoting the profession and the skills of our members.
Tony Garrett n
ABDO works in partnership with: Front cover: Shamir Run lenses designed with the Runner in mind ABDO also activity works in conjunction with: The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:13 Page 4
4 dispensingoptics August 2012
Common technical enquiries by David Jones
Competencies covered: Optical appliances Target groups: Dispensing opticians, optometrists
The creation of this article was balancing of anisometropic The sags of the surfaces can be found stimulated by the variety of questions prescriptions will be discussed, from the following formulae, where s = presented to the author by members explaining the advantages or sag*; r = radius of curvature; y = half the of the optical professional disadvantages of the various diameter of the lens; n = refractive index manufacturing industry. proposed methods. of material; F = surface power in dioptres Topics covered range from the s = r - √(r2 – y2) Changes in lens curvature consequences of base curve requests (why and why not) r = ((n – 1)1000) ÷ F (to give r in mm) changing, the difference between the There are a number of reasons why a minimum fitting cross height of a dispensing optician would wish to If F1 = +8.50 and n = 1.500 then
r1 = 58.824mm Progressive Power Lens (PPL) and its specify a non-standard curvature for a
Similarly, r2 = 200mm optimum fitting height. Also included is particular prescription. Sometimes the an explanation of the term prism reason is simply to match the s1 = 5.58mm for 8.50 curve thinning, its effect upon the thickness curvature of frame. Frequently it is in s2 = 1.57mm for 2.50 curve of a progressive lens and why it alone the belief that flatter lenses will be t = 5.58 -1.57 = 4.01mm may not necessarily provide the thinner lenses. patient with the thinnest possible With positive prescriptions there is a In flatter form . . . lenses. minor reduction in thickness if the F1 = +6.50 and F2 = - 0.50 lenses are made on flatter curves Sag of 6.50 would be 4.18mm An explanation of the reasons for and when compared to the standard Sag of -0.50 would be 0.31mm results of ordering lenses which are higher curve. Example 1 shows the advertised as being supplied with a thickness difference for a theoretical t = 4.18 – 0.31 = 3.87mm prescription which has been optimised thin lens made using a front surface A thickness saving of 0.14mm (less than or compensated for the "as-worn curve of +8.50D with a rear surface of - 2/10th of a millimetre). The thickness position". 2.50D, compared with a flatter form of saving is insignificant. the same power, made 50mm in * Traditionally, ‘s’ has been used as the symbol Reference is also made to the diameter, knife-edged. for the sag of a curve, and is used throughout regulations governing tinted lenses this article. However, readers may find in some with particular reference to the usage Deducting the sag of the rear surface modern texts that ‘z’ is used to represent the sag.’ of tints for driving purposes. from the sag of the front surface will give the centre thickness once the Example 1: thickness and form Finally, the options available for the value has been added to the edge
This article has been approved for 2 CET points by the GOC. It is open to all FBDO members, including associate member optometrists. Insert your answers to the twelve multiple choice questions (MCQs) online at www.abdo.org.uk, or on the answer sheet inserted in this issue and return by 19 September 2012 to ABDO CET, 5 Kingsford Business Centre, Layer Road, Kingsford, Colchester CO2 0HT OR fax to 01206 734156. If you complete online, please ensure that your email address and GOC number are up-to-date. The pass mark is 60 per cent. The answers will appear in our October 2012 issue. C-18352 DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:13 Page 5
Continuing Education and Training
thickness of the uncut lens. If the would be present if a flattened non- power of each surface is reduced and aspheric base curve were used. the back vertex power remains the same there will be only a very small It is possible to simplistically decrease in centre thickness. demonstrate the effect on an image when viewed away from the centre of Inappropriate prescription/frame a flattened form spherical lens using a combinations torch and a flat wall. The torch beam Another reason for the request for a should be circular and the flatter curvature might be an attempt demonstrator should stand by the dispensing optician to match approximately one to one and half the curvature of the lens to that of the metres from the wall. Switch on the rim curvature of frame. torch and point the beam directly at the wall. The image on the wall will be Although not always stated by the circular demonstrating the lack of manufacturer of the frame, there is image corruption when looking often a limit to the prescription range through the optical centre of a which can satisfactorily be mounted spherical lens. Now direct the beam into a frame, particularly if it is a type away from the original position as if with less flexible rims. Metal frames on scanning with the eye. It will be noted which the lens mounting rim is brazed that the image of the torch beam is to the back of the front tend to have no longer circular, but has now less flexibility in accommodating become elliptical in shape higher curved lenses, particularly if the representing the oblique astigmatic frame has been manufactured with a error. If one were to stand in the relatively low rim curvature. For centre of a circular room such as example, if the curvature of the rim those found in some old lighthouses, was to be +4.00 this might suit a range the demonstration would not work so of mid minus to low power positive lens well if the torch beam was directed prescriptions with front curvatures from perpendicular to the surface of the +3.00 to +5.50. curved wall!
Lens prescriptions requiring a front Requests for increased curve significantly greater or less than curvature those suggested could result in an Spectacle frames with rim curves of insecure lens fit, or a lens which fits the +8.00D or even +10.00D demand frame but protrudes excessively relatively highly curved lenses. forward or backward from the frame Prescriptions with powers of +5.00D or rim. greater often have the front surface curve which closely matches the The dispensing optician may consider frame curve. The problem arises when ordering lenses on flatter bases to the dispensing optician attempts to fit match the rim curve. The reduction in a low plus prescription or even worse a curvature possible for the given negative prescription to such a frame. prescription is governed to some It is not uncommon to receive an extent by the resulting lens form. A enquiry requesting that the lens be simple example is if a +6.00 was to be manufactured on a +7.00D convex requested to be made on a front curve and then to be told that the curvature of +5.00 nominally the rear prescription is for a -8.00D sphere. Such curve would have to be a positive a lens would result in the rear surface one, in this case +1.00. It goes without curve of -15.00D. Even if it were saying that the rear curve of the possible to manufacture a lens with spectacle lens should almost always the curves requested it is unlikely that be negative so in this example as the lens would be full aperture as the result is bi-convex, the lens form would +7.00D semi-finished blank, intended be unacceptable and potentially for positive lenses which have a unsuccessful when worn by the relatively thin edge, would not have patient. sufficient thickness to allow the rear curve of -15.00D to extend to the The better option might have been to edge of the blank. The result would be select an aspheric lens which is usually a reduced aperture lens which if produced in a shallower form than a glazed to the proposed frame would non-aspheric lens. Aspheric lenses be of very unsightly appearance. have the advantage that the surface of the lens has been designed to PPL base curve changes minimise the mean oblique error and There is a further consideration when the oblique astigmatic error which changing the base curve of a
Continued overleaf DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:13 Page 6
6 dispensingoptics August 2012
a point 14 below fitting cross (but no higher)? Or has the designer built in a vertical buffer zone where the full reading power is found at, say, a point Without prism thinning Base up prism removed With prism thinning 2mm higher than the minimum fitting height? If it is the former, and the lens was fitted at the height of 14mm, the patient would have to look to the extreme lower edge of the lens to find the full reading power.
In practice, the fitting cross is specified with reference to the HCL, or Figure 1 alternatively as the height of the fitting cross measured from a tangent to the progressive lens. As with many requested was higher or lower than lowest point of the lens. In the case of progressive lens designs the curvature the standard base. The effect on the a full frame, the tangent is at the peak incorporates the appropriate position patient could be that, whilst the lens of the bevel and falls within the of the near area to be used for fits the frame well and they may groove of the frame. Therefore this reading. When a patient looks down experience good distance vision, they 14mm point will never be visible to the to read it is natural that there will be find that when looking down to read patient. The answer, of course, is either some convergence. The degree of the near area of each lens does not to use a lens with shorter progression or convergence is linked primarily to the coincide with the point in each lens to select a frame or mount with a greater addition power of the lens but is also which the patient converges. The depth. modified by the prismatic effect patient may comment that the caused by the distance prescription. If spectacles look great, the distance At one time it was common practice for example the patient requires a vision is great . . . but what happened to ensure that the distance from fitting distance prescription of +5.00 and an to the reading? They may also cross to lower rim was 4mm greater addition power of +2.50, the reading mention that only monocular reading than the distance from the fitting cross area of the lens may normally be inset is possible and this might only be to the point on the lens where the full 2.5mm. However at 2.5mm inwards achieved following some degree of addition power could be found. This from the distance optical centre there head turn to align either the right or ensured the patient was always able is a prismatic effect generated by the left near zones. to find the reading power and could effective outward displacement of a also scan downwards a little before +5.00 of 1.25 base out. This prismatic Rather than simply requesting a base reaching the lower rim. effect causes the eye to converge change on a PPL, it may be prudent more. To accommodate this, the lens to use a PPL design which, if Prism thinning; designer for this particular prescription necessary, allows the near zone the thinnest option? will adjust the zone position to ensure position to be specified. Most lens manufacturers offer some the patient will look through the centre type of thickness minimisation process of the area. Similarly, when the Rimless mounts to ensure the lenses are as thin as distance prescription is minus, the In certain mounts, particularly rimless, possible or appropriate for the chosen prismatic effect at the normal point of the lens is an integral part of a well- frame. A frequent question asks convergence due to the distance fitting dispense. A mount designed to whether this is the same as cosmetic prescription will be base in. The patient be glazed with 8.00D base curve thinning prism? Some manufacturers will tend to under-converge. The lenses will not fit securely if glazed with give the dispensing optician the designer will adjust the centre of the a 4.00D base, which would increase choice of cancelling the cosmetic reading area so it is centralised at the the temple and head widths of the thinning prism. Why would anybody patient’s actual point of mount, resulting in a poor fit to the not wish to take advantage of the convergence. head. benefits of cosmetic thinning prism?
This point of different convergence Progressive lens Firstly, to achieve the thinnest lenses levels is raised to illustrate that when fitting heights one needs to consider using the asking for the base curve to be Is the minimum height also the service offered by prescription houses altered it is not only the cosmetic optimum fitting height? or lens manufacturers who will design curvature that changes. Higher The high usage of shallow frames and a lens of optimum thickness based positive base curves are used to mounts brings with it potential upon prescription, centration frame produce more positive power lenses problems of progression length style and shape. with potentially higher insets and lower suitability. Many manufacturers of positive base curves are used to progressive lenses often state that the Prism thinning does not necessarily produce more negative powers with minimum fitting height of the lens is, for result in the thinnest lenses. Prism reduced insets. Changing the base example, 14mm. Where one has to be thinning was introduced to enable curve also has an effect on the optical careful is, to what exactly does this prescription houses to balance the performance of the progressive lens as 14mm relate? It usually indicates that difference in thickness between the the inset of the near area of the lens at 14mm the full reading correction top and bottom edges of a will be increased or decreased can be found. But does this mean that progressive lens. The difference is depending upon whether the base the addition power is only achieved at inherent in progressive power lenses DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 7
Continuing Education and Training
which have an increasing curvature Reasons to consider prism starting at the fitting cross in order to thinning cancellation generate the addition power of the The option to have the prism thinning lens. The result of this curvature cancelled is for those patients who increase is a lens which becomes have shown a lack of tolerance to the thicker at the top as the addition incorporation of the prism. Although increases, even when the distance very few patients have difficulty there prescription is quite low. are a tiny minority who present quite consistent symptoms. Their comments It may be easier to imagine the effect may be one of the following: of the additional power on the • "To read, I have to raise my head distance portion thickness. If one significantly and look through the very visualises an executive style bifocal bottom of the lens, yet to see in the with a distance prescription of +1.00D distance I have to really lower my and an addition of +1.00D the lens head and look through the very top of thickness will be reasonable. If the the lens." Note: a similar comment addition power was increased to could result from fitting a “standard” +3.00D the distance portion would progression length PPL to a shallow increase in thickness to "carry" the eye shape. thickness of the near portion. The • "Distance is fine, reading is fine. But +1.00D, Add +1.00D has a reading the middle distance is just a blur." power of +2.00D. Therefore the centre • "Distance is exceptionally narrow, thickness of the distance portion will and I only have to look slightly off be equal to that of a +2.00D. However, centre to find great distortion." the +1.00D, Add +3.00D would have a • "After a short time I feel a drawing or reading power of +4.00D. Therefore pulling sensation as if I'm wearing the the centre thickness of the distance wrong prescription." portion of this lens will be equal to that • "I can't explain, but the spectacles of +4.00D. just don't seem right."
Why PPLs are Checking for non-tolerance to prism-thinned prism thinning Prism thinning is of greatest benefit When a patient presents with the when the distance power is positive. symptoms of non-tolerance the This is particularly so as the addition dispensing optician firstly confirms the power increases and if the fitting cross fit of the frame and the accuracy of is set significantly above the Horizontal the lens specifications. Assuming this to Centre Line (HCL). In such be correct, there is a procedure which circumstances the prescription house can be followed to assess whether the will usually work base down prism to problem is due to the presence of balance the top and bottom edge prism thinning. thicknesses of the lenses. The amount 1. Firstly, measure the amount and of prism worked is most commonly direction of prism thinning at the prism equal to 2/3 of the reading addition of reference point. the lens. Note: the calculation is based 2. Fit the spectacles to the patient. on the reading addition and not the 3. Take a pair of prisms from the trial reading power. For example a lens set, each equivalent to the prism with an addition of 2.25D would have found on the lenses.
1.5Δ prism base down worked on the 4. Rotate the prism so the prism base is lens. In reality, base up prism is in the opposite direction to that found removed, leaving a residual base on the lens. down prism and resulting in the lens 5. With the patient looking ahead, thickness being fairly well balanced at position the trial prisms in front of the the upper and lower edges once spectacle lenses. glazed into the frame (Figure 1). 6. If the wearer experiences a significant improvement, they will Some manufacturers apply what is benefit from having the lenses termed "intelligent thinning prism". With replaced without thinning prism. this method, rather than applying a 7. As a precaution, ask if this test standard value of 2/3rds, a more improves their vision. The patient precise value is calculated and can, in sometimes says yes when what they some instances, result in base up prism have actually seen is a difference, not being worked. This is more likely on necessarily an improvement. minus prescriptions as there is a This can be checked by suggesting to tendency for the lower edge of the the patient that the test is tried one lens to be thicker as a consequence more time, but this time with the prisms of the lens being fitted above the HCL. inverted. If the response is still yes to an
Continued overleaf DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 8
8 dispensingoptics August 2012
TRANSMISSION CATEGORIES USE LIMITATIONS
100% - 80% Class 0: Clear or very lightly tinted lenses. None
Indoor - overcast sky
79% - 43% Class 1: Lightly tinted lenses Not suitable for night driving
Low sunlight
42% - 18% Class 2: Medium-tinted lenses Not suitable for night driving
Medium sunlight
17% - 8% Class 3: Dark lenses Not suitable for night driving
Bright sunlight
7% - 3% Class 4: Very dark lenses Not suitable for any driving
Exceptionally bright sunlight
Table 1: Filter categories
improvement then it would seem that frame and the frame is fitted to the proportionately less so influences the prism thinning is not the issue, so the patient, the lenses are inclined by the cylinder axis less. problem lies elsewhere. pantoscopic angle and face form angle so the patient no longer looks Why does the lens packaging Compensated lens perpendicularly through the lens but show a different prescription? prescriptions. Why? at an angle. This angle induces an Particularly, why does the axis for Most dispensing opticians are aware oblique astigmatic error for which the checking differ from that ordered in that the lens prescription is modified to manufacturer compensates. The some prescriptions but not others? For cope with the frame fit parameters compensated lenses are fitted to the example, on a recent prescription taken from the frame in the as-worn frame and although a focimeter both cylinder values were -0.25. The position on the patient. What is not measurement differs from the right axis was ordered at 90 and the always appreciated is that the prescription ordered the lenses will left axis was ordered at 65. However cylinder axis may be changed if the perform correctly in the as-worn the lens packets indicated that whilst original axis was oblique. The average position. When the calculation has the right axis was still 90 left axis was pantoscopic angle is in the region of been mainly made for the lens now 71. Why should it differ? 12°, with 10mm vertex distance and a inclination in the vertical plane, ie, the The packaging shows the power to be face form angle of 7°. (Face form pantoscopic tilt, compensation will measured on the focimeter. angle is the correct British Standards take the form of a small change to the This will differ from the ordered term but this value is often referred to lenses’ initial meridional powers, with prescription. If the measured lens as frame bow, frame wrap or dihedral the prescription displayed on the lens prescription matches the angle.) packet in sphere/cyl form. If the compensated prescription it will, when original prescription axis was 90 or 180 mounted, provide the wearer with the When one or more of these it remains unchanged. However, if, for correct prescription in the as-worn parameters differs significantly from example, the original cylinder value position. the average values shown above the was only 0.25, or 0.50 and the axis was lens surface geometry is adjusted. This oblique, say, 65°, not only will the Compensated prescription lens is to ensure that when the lenses are cylindrical power change, but its 65° packets from the manufacturer are positioned in the “as-worn” position axis will probably change to printed with the ordered prescription they will present the same prescription something closer to 72°. The amount as well as the compensated to the patient as the trial lens did of cylinder axis rotation is influenced prescription. The compensated during refraction. When lenses are by the original value and orientation prescription value should be found checked on a focimeter or of the cylinder and the magnitude when checking the lenses using a Lensometer the back surface of the and orientation of the compensation. focimeter or Lensometer. Should there lens is in full contact with the lens There is a greater change to the be any concern as to the legality of support. In this position the back oblique axes of lower cylinder values supplying lenses where the powers surface of the lens sits perpendicular as the compensation is more differ from that originally prescribed to the ray of light used when significant in proportion to the original and ordered, BS EN ISO 21987:20091 determining the lens prescription. cylinder. When the original cylinder is states that: “where the manufacturer When the lenses are mounted in the greater the compensation is has compensated for the as-worn DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 9
Continuing Education and Training
position, the tolerances shall apply to the "over-plussing" is the cause by the compensated prescription.” placing a -0.25 before the lenses to check for an improvement. It may be For those who recall Stokes that the patient will adapt to the construction, it is a case of obliquely change, but if not, the choice would crossed cylinders. be to increase the minus power of the new lens design or revert to the Some have doubts about the effect of previous lens design. tilting the lens in front of the wearer. If this is the case it is a simple matter to What is the difference place a +4.00 spherical lens in the between safer and focimeter and focus clearly, noting safety lenses? that the image is the same as that for Why do some manufacturers or a plano power lens. If the lens clamp is prescription houses state that the then released and the lens is tilted polycarbonate lenses or Trivex lenses within the focimeter it will be seen that ordered to be glazed to a designer the image is no longer that of a frame cannot be classed as ‘safety’ spherical lens but more that of a lens spectacles? We are, after all, told that incorporating a cylindrical value2. polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are the strongest in the market. Apparent non-tolerance to compensated prescriptions Dispensing opticians must differentiate It is quite unusual for a wearer to between safer lenses and safety experience difficulties with lens designs lenses. Both polycarbonate and Trivex which incorporate compensation for lenses are particularly strong and the as-worn position. However, the resistant to impact. However unless myopic patient whose previous PPLs glazed into an appropriate frame by a were not optimised might have company registered for the glazing of become accustomed to the oblique safety spectacles, the spectacles errors. The optimisation applied to cannot be classed as safety minus lenses tends to result in a spectacles. The lenses and the frames reduction in the negative power. An once assembled as a unit must ordered prescription of -7.50 would comply with the appropriate commonly be optimised to Standards, BS EN 166:2002 and BS EN approximately -7.32, ie, a reduction of 167:2002. The spectacles in question 0.18. Therefore, when looking straight could be considered safer but not ahead the patient will experience a safety spectacles. reduction in minus. Should the myope look either side of the fitting cross, the Tinted lenses and driving light loss of minus power could be transmission limits accentuated by the tendency for the Many of us use some type of glare distance power of many soft design protection when driving. It is important PPLs to become slightly more positive that the transmission provided by in the periphery. This plussing effect is a spectacles is suitable for the lighting consequence of the designer allowing conditions under which they are used. some encroachment of the When driving at night all spectacle intermediate power into the lateral lenses must have a minimum visible distance areas which reduces the rate spectral transmission (LTF) greater than at which the progressive power 75%, according to BS EN 1836:2005 change takes place. The situation Annex E2(2007)3. All wearers of tinted would be accentuated if by lenses should be advised of the coincidence, the new prescription conditions under which the lenses had also shown a reduction in the remain compliant when driving. Lens patient's myopia. If there was only a suppliers should provide the practice small shift in prescription from -7.50 to with an indication the tints class -7.25 the shift combined with specification. Classifications range compensation could reduce the from 0 through to 4 (Table 1). relative power by 0.43. When switching a myopic patient from an In the Standard, the lighter tints are uncompensated PPL to one which class 0, with a light transmission factor incorporates compensation, it might (LTF) greater than 80%. Class 1 tints be prudent to confirm that the range from 43% LTF to 80% LTF; Class 2 myopia has been fully corrected. tints range from 18% LTF to 43% LTF; Similarly, if a patient returns to the class 3 tints range from 8% LTF to 18% practice with a recently supplied pair LTF with the darkest tint class being 4 of PPLs experiencing the problem with a tint range from 3% LTF through mentioned, one can check whether to 8% LTF. Continued overleaf DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 10
10 dispensingoptics August 2012
It should be noted that for night driving Balance between the two lenses. curvature is a reasonable option but only class 0 complies fully with driving it's probably best done by selecting a regulations. Equally important, and Using a higher refractive index for the compromise front curvature which has perhaps surprising to some, is that class higher minus power will result in a a negligible effect on the optical 4 tints must not be used when driving thinner lens but probably one which is performance of either lens. A thicker, under any circumstances. flatter so might accentuate any more curved lens for the lower power inherent curve difference. Potentially, will result in an increase in spectacle When a patient who is a driver there might be a difference in the MAR magnification. requests class 2 or 3 tinted lenses, the reflection colour of the lenses due to dispensing optician should check the difference in the refractive indices. Sometimes the prescriptions of a pair whether the car windscreen is tinted, of lenses differ to the extent that if as the combination of windscreen tint Simply increasing the thickness of the ordered individually they would be and spectacle tint might become lower power lens could result in the made on different semi-finished base unacceptable under certain lower power lens being significantly curves. Where the prescriptions of a conditions. heavier than the higher power. Any pair of lenses differ by no more than increase in edge thickness is carried 1.00D, but would individually use What choices are there when through to an increase in centre different base curves, some lens attempting to balance the thickness. There is an effect on the producers, such as Essilor, will appearance of a pair of lenses image magnification though this is less systematically attempt to match the with a significant difference significant with minus lenses unless the semi-finished base curve of the pair. between right and left centre thickness increase is substantial. The system will attempt to make the prescriptions? more positive lens using the same There is a method which some years Matching the front curvature is a base curve as the less positive lens. This ago was described by this author as reasonable option but it's probably is usually acceptable to the wearer. the Compromise Thickness Balance. It best done by selecting a compromise literally does what it says. The thickest front curvature which optically has a This article ranges over a variety of lens is reduced in thickness by as much negligible effect on the performance topics and therefore replicates the as possible, and the thickness of the of either lens. nature of a day at the office of a less powered lens is increased by half Technical Support Hotline. The topics the difference in thickness between it Compromise thickness balance, as covered are a bit like dipping into a and the higher powered lens. previously explained, gives a box of chocolates when the contents reasonable balance of thickness and list is missing. You never really know Compromise thickness balance a very good weight balance. what the query is going too be until achieves a satisfactory balance in you bite into it, realise it is one of your weight and thickness. Firstly, based on When both lenses of a pair have a favourites, and then enjoy helping the the appropriate minimum lens edge positive prescription the problems to enquirer to resolve the problem. thickness for the mount to be used, be addressed include differences of the laboratory can calculate what the weight, curvature and magnification References centre thicknesses of each lens will be as well as nasal and vertical edge 1. International Standard BS EN ISO once edged. The centre thickness of thickness difference. The options for 21987:2009 Ophthalmic optics. the lower power lens is deducted from positive lenses are the same as the Mounted spectacle lenses. that of the high higher power lens. The options for negative lenses, except 2. Jalie M. Ophthalmic Lenses and result is then halved and added to the that instead of matching the edge Dispensing. 3rd Ed. London: centre thickness of the lower power lens. thicknesses, the centre thicknesses Butterworth-Heinemann. P.227-8 would be matched to that of the 3. European Standard. BS:EN Anisometropic prescriptions can result higher plus lens. 1836:2005 Personal eye-equipment. in an imbalance of curvature and Sunglasses and sunglare filters for weight between the right and left lens Using a higher refractive index for the general use and filters for direct of the pair. higher plus power will result in a thinner observation of the sun. European and probably a flatter lens which will Committee for Standardisation (2007 When both lenses of a pair have a better match the lower powered lens. Annex E2 amendment). minus prescription the problem to be A further advantage is a reduction in addressed is one of edge thickness thickness and curvature which will help David H Jones SMC(Tech) has spent difference. The following options could reduce the difference in the image 40 years in the ophthalmic industry be considered to address this issue: magnification between the two lenses. and profession. For 19 years he 1. Using a higher refractive index There might be a difference in the headed Essilor’s Technical Services material for the higher power lens of MAR reflection colour of the lenses Department providing support to the the pair. due to the refractive index. profession on technical lens and 2. Increasing the edge thickness of the dispensing problem resolution with lower power lens so that it matches In positive lenses, matching the centre particular emphasis on progressive that of the higher power lens. (The thickness of the lower to higher power power lenses. He is a regular lecturer higher minus will already have lens could make the lower power on PPL problem solving at the Varilux minimum centre thickness so cannot significantly heavier than the higher University in Paris and creator of CET be reduced any further). power. Also, any increase in centre accredited lectures on various lens 3. Matching the front curvature of the thickness is carried through to the aspects. Has lectured and presented right and left lenses. edge, which may then become workshops on numerous occasions at 4. Calculating a Compromise Thickness unacceptable. Matching the front ABDO evenings and CET weekends. I
MCQs overleaf DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 11 DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 12
12 dispensingoptics August 2012 Multiple choice questions (MCQs): Common technical enquiries
1. Which formula is used to find the sag of a given surface? b. Subtract the edge thickness of the weaker from that of a. r - √(r² - y²) b. r - √(r² + y²) the stronger, divide by two and add the result to the c. r + √(r² - y²) d. r + √(r² + y²) centre thickness of the weaker c. Reduce the edge thickness of the stronger lens and 2. In a non-prism thinned PPL, what would be the increase the edge thickness of the weaker lens by the equivalent thickness of the distance portion if the same amount prescription is distance: +1.00DS Reading Add +3.00DS? d. Add two thirds of the difference in edge thicknesses to a. +1.00 b. +2.50 the centre thickness of the weaker lens c. +4.00 d. +5.00 8. On which bifocal type is prism thinning most likely to be 3. If a PPL has a prescription of +2.00DS with a reading Add found? of +3.00 DS, how much prism thinning would be worked on a. Fused glass D28 b. Solid CR39 R24 the lens under normal circumstances? c. 1.6 index plastic C28 d. Executive or E-line
a. 2.50Δ base down b. 2.00Δ base down
c. 1.50Δ base down d. 1.50Δ base up 9. What is the impact of, and what solution do the manufacturers of PPLs usually adopt, for the patient with a 4. Which of the following tint classifications should not be prescription of R & L -4.00/-1.00 x90 Add +2.00DS worn for driving under any circumstances? converging 2.5mm to read in each eye?
a. Class 0 b. Class 1 a. 1.25Δ base OUT from distance Rx - Reading area centres c. Class 3 d. Class 4 set further apart
b. 1.25Δ base OUT from distance Rx - Reading area centres 5. What gives the value for the centre thickness of a set closer together
spherical spectacle lens? c. 1.25Δ base IN from distance Rx - Reading area centres a. Sag of front surface - sag of back surface + edge set further apart
thickness d. 1.25Δ base IN from distance Rx - Reading area centres b. Sag of back surface - sag of front surface + edge set closer together thickness c. Edge thickness + Sag of front surface + sag of back 10.Which statement is true for tolerances for compensated surface lenses? d. Edge thickness - Sag of front surface + sag of back a. BS tolerances apply to the compensated prescription surface b. BS tolerances are larger on compensated prescriptions c. To apply the tolerances the spectacles must be 6. For a prescription R +1.50DS L + 5.25DS it is decided that positioned in the as worn position on the focimeter the centre thickness difference will be balanced by making d. BS tolerances do not apply the +1.50 lens with the same centre thickness as the +5.25. Which statement about the resulting spectacles is UNTRUE? 11.Which of the following is true of ‘intelligent prism thinning’? a. The lower power lens will be heavier than the higher a. Prism base up always worked power one b. Right prism may differ from Left Prism b. The +5.25 lens will look thinner c. Prism base direction influenced by distance prescription c. The edge thickness of the +1.50 will be greater than that and fitting heights, of the +5.25 d. Prism base direction can be horizontal if PDs are d. The spectacle magnification of the two lenses will be extremely wide or narrow similar 12.What is NOT affected by the form of a single vision 7. For a prescription R -6.25DS L -2.50DS it is decided that spectacle lens? the edge thickness difference will be balanced by a. The spectacle magnification calculating a Compromise Thickness Balance. How is this b. The spectacle lens thickness worked out? c. The refractive index a. Make the edge thickness of the two lenses the same d. The oblique astigmatic error
The deadline for posted or faxed response is 19 September 2012 to the address on page 4. The module code is C-18352 Online completion - www.abdo.org.uk - after member log-in go to ‘CET online’ After the closing date, the answers can be viewed on the 'CET Online' page of www.abdo.org.uk. To download, print or save your results letter, go to 'View your CET record'. If you would prefer to receive a posted results letter, contact the CET Office 01206 734155 or email [email protected] Occasionally, printing errors are spotted after the journal has gone to print. Notifications can be viewed at www.abdo.org.uk on the CET Online page DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 13 DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 14
14 dispensingoptics August 2012
This month, Antonia Chitty discusses how, why and when to employ an agency to promote your business for you
Calling in the creatives
sing a PR, marketing or advertising The agency staff will be used to is to build consumer base, loyalty and Uagency can help your practice generate creative and promotional retention. If you work with an agency, stand out from the crowd. It can be a ideas, and will know what has worked you need to let go in part. You might cost effective way to increase the well before. You will also benefit from be told things you might not like about number of people who have heard the specialist skills and contacts at the your brand; be open to be about your practice, and get more agency. If you use a PR agency, make challenged by creative people in the footfall across the doorstep. Working sure that the staff already have good articulation of what your brand is all with an agency is for you if you have a contacts with press relevant to your about. Be enthusiastic, you’ll get really practice promotion budget but are business, for example. good results. short on ideas or don’t know how best to invest it. It can help if you have lots Scott Knox is managing director of the “Marketers understand consumers and of ideas, but no time to implement Marketing Agencies Association how they work,” continues Knox. “As a them. You’ll get the benefit of experts (MAA). If you’re not quite clear what a business owner, you may go in saying, in promotion working on your practice, marketing agency does, he explains, ‘I want an advert that says A, B and but you need to be clear about your “A marketing agency is an external C’. You love your business so much aims to make the most of working with resource for your brand. If you own you want to get everything in. An an agency. your own brand you will already have agency will tease out the one or two an idea of what it is about. Agencies things that show consumers your How does it work? can bring ideas from different brands unique proposition. You have to let go An agency can ensure that your and sectors to benefit your business. of the reins to some extent. Your marketing efforts continue throughout They have in depth expertise on how consumers aren’t as interested in your the year while you get on with using consumers relate to brands. Where brand as you are. The agency will your professional skills in practice. I’ve seen the best results happen is make creatively driven pieces of Ongoing promotional work can make where the senior team within the information to motivate consumers.” a real difference, particularly if in the company use a marketing agency as past you have only made intermittent consultants, rather than asking them to Finding an agency efforts to raise your practice profile. do tasks. The reason to use an agency Start by working out what you’d like the agency to achieve. Don’t just think, ‘I’d like a fresh advert for the local paper’, or, ‘We need new Who offers what? leaflets’. Instead decide what increase Some agencies will offer a range of functions; decide for yourself if you would like to place you need to see on your bottom line. your business with one agency or work with a number of specialists. What is the average spend per patient • PR agency: offers promotion to the media, launches, reputation management and often right now? How many more patients events management • Marketing agency: can specialise in a range of marketing activities including direct of what type would you need to visit marketing and brand image the practice to get that increase, and • Advertising agency: designs and creates advertising campaigns and buys space in the how much would you be able to media for your adverts invest to do that? Different patients • Digital marketing agency: can create campaigns to promote your business online using may have different degrees of social media and online advertising n profitability; do you want more people in certain age groups, those looking DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 15
Patient and practice management
for spectacles or contact lenses, those from certain local areas? The clearer 11 things to check before you are about what you want an choosing an agency: agency to achieve, and the budget • Does the agency specialise in business you have available, the more likely to-business or business-to-consumer work? you are to get what you want. • Is the agency a member of a professional association? Knox advises, “Make sure that you • Does the agency have specialist areas? stipulate how you will measure success • Look at past campaigns and ask for before you appoint an agency. What statistics on success does success look like for you • What sort of clients do they work with? personally, for the business’s financial • Meet the main people who would director? Do you need more footfall, work on your account, and ask for more hits on Facebook? Get their track record with similar agreement on how measurement can Alastair Carrie businesses. happen, so that the call to action of • Ask the staff who would work on your the creative piece has measurement account about their understanding of your field tactics in place. In my experience, with an agency to get their initial ideas • Find out how the agency evaluates a sometimes across a group of people, and allow them to pitch. Once you campaign the definition of success may be have picked an agency, think about • Get an estimate of the fees different – this can lead to a how long you want to agree a • Ask what is included breakdown with any external partner – contract for. It can take up to a year • Take up references from other clients get internal harmony before you bring for a promotional campaign to have in an external resource.” full effects, but you may also want to arrange a shorter notice period within Knox adds: “The MAA runs a scheme the contract in case of disagreement. professionals and check their called Agency Selector. As a non- Part of the contract should include a testimonials. profit organisation we’re trusted by confidentiality agreement. 3. Find an advertising agency at brands right up to the size of EDF www.creativematch.com/search/?dir Energy. I always advise people to take You can pay from a few hundred to a ectory time to arrange ‘chemistry meetings’. few thousand pounds per month to 4. Aim to use a practitioner who is a It is essential. You need to meet the retain an agency to promote your member of a professional body. This people you will be working with. If you business, depending on the size of can mean that they have indemnity can’t sit in a room with them and agency and range of activities they insurance, a credit check etc. There have a genuine and open discussion do for you. On top of this, you’ll need are different bodies for professional the work will fail. Don’t just choose to pay costs such as fees for specialisms. Visit the relevant bodies to based on pounds, shillings and pence, promotional materials or advertising check specific requirements for however important that is. space if relevant. Discuss with the membership: agency if they work on a full or partial • The Chartered Institute of Marketing: “When you approach an agency, payment-by-results basis. If you don’t www.cim.co.uk think about the communications have a sufficient budget for an • The Institute of Practitioners in you’ve seen that really cut through for agency, network locally to find Advertising: www.ipa.co.uk you as an individual. Set questions for freelancers who may have lower fees. • Marketing Agencies Association: people to answer beforehand. They Arrange for regular updates and goals www.marketingagencies.org.uk may be nothing to do with your brand, to be met by certain times to ensure • Chartered Institute of Public something to do with your brand or a that the agency stays on track. Knox Relations: www.cipr.co.uk mix of both. Set up a situation with advises: “Remember the basics – • Direct Marketing Association: potential for lots of discussion so you regular meetings and status reports, www.dma.org.uk find out if you spar well, if you respect even if over the phone. Like in HR, you • Institute of Promotional Marketing: each other’s points of view. Ask, ‘Do I don’t want to save feedback for an www.theipm.org.uk understand them, do I work with them annual appraisal. You need to keep • Public Relations Consultants well?’ We advise that you do a 360 feedback flowing throughout the Association: www.prca.org.uk degree review after 12 months of relationship. Have an open dialogue. • Internet Advertising Bureau: being with an agency – you could use You might say, ‘We like the results, but I www.iabuk.net the MAA to do this, or someone don’t get on so well with the account independent like a lawyer who can handler’. Bolt to the floor what the Former optometrist Antonia Chitty now take questions from one side to the results look like, the key performance writes on business topics. Her latest other to see if things are working or indicators.” book is Blogging: The Essential Guide, not,” Knox concludes. and she has also written A guide to Resources Promoting Your Business To find agencies, use the internet, your 1. Free Find a PR Agency service at and Marketing: The Essential Guide local networks and professional bodies www.prca.org.uk/applicationform, which will help you if you need to create a shortlist. You may want to telephone 020 7233 6026. effective ways to promote your discuss your needs in broad outline first 2. Use www.linkedin.com to find practice. n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 16
16 dispensingoptics August 2012
Involvement is paramount to ensure we are at the forefront of people’s minds, says Barry Duncan
Barry Duncan Supporting members locally and nationally
n October 2011, ABDO announced since I took up the post. It has been at 3am having driven for five or six Ithe appointment of past president great to start working with the ABDO hours from a meeting – but as I Barry Duncan to the newly created staff again and be engaged with mentioned to someone the other role of members’ support manager. the members. There are so many day, fatigue is always temporary. Under the auspices of the ABDO within ABDO who share my passion membership services department, and desires for the profession, so it NC: What initiatives are you working Barry’s chief remit was to assist just seemed to be the absolutely on to support members? members in the regional areas. He right thing to do. would also combine a number of BD: There are two main projects in other key functions, namely playing On the morning that I started in the my remit – one is political and the a leading role in the development of job, 3 January, I woke up at about other is supporting members in the the profession at a local level, 5am as I had so many thoughts ABDO Areas. Many might not be engaging with the Local Optical swimming around my head. I just got aware that we work closely with the Committee Support Unit (LOCSU) and up and started emailing ideas for optical bodies of Optometry liaising with Optometry Scotland, certain projects to the other staff. Scotland, Optometry Wales and Wales and Northern Ireland. Nicky Since then it has just been a steep Optometry Northern Ireland along Collinson caught up with Barry to curve into new activities and with LOCSU. Recently I attended the hear what he’s been up to since initiatives. Being based from home ‘four nations meeting’ in Belfast trading in practice to become a full- was quite odd initially, having where all sorts of things were time ABDO staff member. worked in practice for so long. discussed regarding eyecare and Occasionally I miss the surroundings delivery of services. Outwith this type NC: How are you adapting to your of my room in Dunblane along with of event, I will attend the individual new role? the staff and patients, but it’s all part meetings in each country. In of the transition into the role. Clearly, February 2013, ABDO will host the BD: I am really enjoying the role and I do a bit of travelling and there are next four nations meeting at it amazes me how time has lapsed times when I pitch up at the house Godmersham. DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 17
Membership matters
Additionally, I have been attending few projects where we hope to get themselves in a very professional meetings of the Optical endorsement from specific manner regarding this issue. Very few Confederation in London. There are organisations. The difficulty we have people have failed to achieve the plenty of things going on, therefore, is that this needs to be done on a points required despite the obvious it is vital that we continue to be part very small budget, therefore, we anomalies that we face. of discussions and do what we feel is must work in the most cost-effective right for our members. There can be manner. Along with Ted Moffatt and Finally, our aim is to have more significant benefits from working with Michael Potter, we have just created members active locally by being the other bodies particularly when it a brochure on spectacles for involved in local, area and regional comes to discussions with football. At the time of writing, the optical committees. Once again we government and the General Scottish Football Association Referee find ourselves in a rapidly changing Optical Council (GOC). In saying Committee had just released this to climate so involvement in local that, members must appreciate that all affiliated associations in Scotland optical politics is paramount to there are occasions when we will therefore lots of parents, coaches, ensure we are at the forefront of respond to certain consultations on kids and officials will be seeing the people’s minds during policy and our own to ensure the message is ABDO publication. decision-making. I am delighted with wholly concentrated on dispensing the response from our members who opticians. My hope is that more members will currently sit on committees locally, attend Area meetings in the next and equally delighted with those Secondly, with the imminent CET cycle. ABDO is very keen to see who expressed interest in changes regarding CET, I am making numbers increase dramatically and I participating. Obviously, I will be on every effort to help the Areas hope that members will recognise hand to support and advise along prepare for the next cycle the work that the Area committees with the other staff – so as we move commencing in January 2013. I are doing to ensure we can all forward I foresee a massive recognise that the changes to the achieve the necessary points tally collective effort developing to way we obtain CET points will affect within the membership fee. Having promote our skills and expertise. most of the membership, so it is 13 thriving Areas would be essential that as an Association we magnificent for all concerned and Barry Duncan served as ABDO are being proactive very early on in hopefully bring with it a degree of president from 2008 to 2010. Based in our preparations to ensure we can momentum as we continue to raise Scotland, he was previously deliver and meet everyone’s the profile of the profession. The employed in an independent expectations. At the recent more people who become engaged practice with experience of working President’s Consultation Day, there with ABDO the better as far as I can for major retail chains. He was also was a commitment by the Areas to see. Regardless of individuals’ views a member of the ABDO College prepare accordingly with the aim of on CET, it is evident that ABDO board of trustees and is an ABDO providing a minimum of 12 CET members have conducted examiner. n points a year.
In turn, ABDO will review certain aspects of funding and I will be looking at ways to ensure members Reminder for the end of CET period in remote areas can access CET also. Much work has to be done between now and 1 January, however, I fully Registered practitioners are reminded that the current anticipate providing the membership CET period ends on 31 December 2012. However, the with dates and venues of all events GOC have requested that all points for the period must being held up and down the country be confirmed by 21 December. By that date, to ensure in the January edition of Dispensing Optics. This will give every member continued registration with the GOC, you must have the opportunity to make necessary accrued 36 points as a dispensing optician or an arrangements with work, family and optometrist, or 54 (36 +18) points as a contact lens travel should they choose to attend. optician on the GOC’s CL Specialty list. The points must More information on CET requirements will be released in due be confirmed on your CEToptics record. Pending, or course. unconfirmed points will not count towards your requirement. If you have any enquiries about your points NC: How are you helping to get the record, contact CEToptics (0843 208 5487), or for other profile of DOs raised, nationally and enquiries, contact the ABDO CET Office (01206 734155 in the Areas? Tuesday - Friday). n BD: Currently we are working on a DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 18
18 dispensingoptics August 2012
Frequently asked questions
Answered by Kim Devlin FBDO (Hons) CL
Dealing with complaints
Q. There have been several telephone queries from members over distance when a patient can’t see to read music with their new the last month or two about refunds and what the legal position is reading specs but they could with the old ones. However, the 2.50 cyl when a patient isn’t happy with their specs. that had swung 30˚ but was ‘liked’ in the consulting room may give you pause. Checking with the tester between dispensing and ordering A. The problem arises when a patient returns to the practice with the such a change, especially when you have just dispensed it as a words: “I can’t see with these new specs.” Did any other phrase in the freeform, photochromatic, high index progressive to a rimless mount, English language ever make your heart sink so far? If the prescription might have been sensible dispensed was one from an in-house eye examination, it can be difficult enough but when it’s an outside prescription, problems This is where common sense must carry the day and your mount. Who’s to blame – a wrong prescription or a faulty dispense? communication skills and knowledge of prescriptions must guide you. If satisfaction cannot be achieved you have a choice, assuming that Firstly, and most importantly, you have to establish trust with the you are 100 per cent sure the spectacles are correct to the customer; remember they are feeling uncomfortable and uneasy, prescription and measurements. If you wish to be obliging and keep even embarrassed and this can come across to you as angry or rude. your patient happy to return another time, you can refund the You need to turn the situation around. Find a quiet area (easier said money or exchange the spectacles. If not, you may choose to stick to than done on a Saturday morning) where you can all be seated (they your guns and risk the customer leaving the practice never to return always bring reinforcements don’t they?) A never-to-be-forgotten or maybe risk a solicitor letter citing (incorrectly) breach of contract. moment was when a lady gave me back her new glasses saying: ”And my husband can’t see out of them either!” Actually, keeping a sense The value of a patient is more than the cost of a pair of spectacles; of humour is enormously helpful. Never appear to be laughing at you risk losing not only that patient but their family, friends and them but do all that you can to lighten the mood. Remember not to colleagues. You feel that you had warned them of potential problems take the complaint personally. but the fact is, the appliance is not as they expected or doing the task it was hoped to do. Give in graciously. When you are costing Establishing what is actually wrong is not always easy. Customers spectacles, the usual things have to be included – overheads, staff often come in full of bluster saying, ”And I want my money back!”, salaries, bank charges, insurance – but always remember to include a when all they really want is a pair of spectacles they can see with. It percentage for non-tolerances. Even the best practices sometimes may just be a simple misunderstanding, such as reading specs instead have to admit defeat and refund or exchange; it is an acceptable cost of TV specs or a missing tint. Once the nature of the problem is clear to the business. I believe that to refund the money will reward you then it can be rectified. many times over.
Legally, what must you do? There is much consumer legislation that Building a practice is not a quick exercise; if you fail to make suitable we must obey, primarily the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the spectacles but do everything to rectify the problem, including Consumer Protection Act 1987. The law of contract also applies, to refunding the money, you will be forgiven if the customer leaves your both patient and practitioner. The Sale of Goods Act is the one that premises feeling they have been well served and are happy to return. states that all goods sold must be of ‘merchantable quality’ and ‘fit You may not wish to see them ever again of course. At the very for purpose’. Thus the spectacles can be reasonably expected not to beginning of your conversation say something like: “We want you to fall apart in the first week and the patient must be able to see out of be happy with these spectacles, you haven’t paid £X to leave them in them. But, as always, the devil is in the detail. Were the spectacles a drawer”. Those patients who don’t return, but are unhappy, are the used in a reasonable way, and not pushed on top of the head, held ones to worry about; you will never get another chance to make with teeth or sat upon – all of which patients regularly do to their them happy. specs? Similarly, if the spectacles were made up exactly to the prescription but the patient wishes to read with them with their Having said all of that, what about the poor member who did it all – book on their lap, not at the 33cm they told the optometrist, are you changed the specs, rechecked the prescription etc, but who was responsible? asked after a gap of two years to refund the money. My advice to them was to politely decline a refund, and fervently hope they never Practices vary; if you are a small independent practice that employs come into your practice ever again. locum optometrists, your attitude to ‘wrong’ prescriptions is different to that of a manager in a busy multiple where the director did the test. Within a practice it is teamwork; you don’t want to Kim Devlin is chair of ABDO's Advice and Guidelines Working waste a precious appointment when all that’s wrong is the working Group n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 19 DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 20
20 dispensingoptics August 2012
Conference agenda
Friday 28 September 2012 - Pre-conference golf tournament The Stratford on Avon Golf Club - golf tournament, sponsored by Marchon, Shamir and Transitions 11.00 Registration - refreshments on arrival: bacon rolls and tea/coffee 12.00 Tee off for 18 holes of golf - 40 golfers playing in four-balls, setting off at 10 minute intervals 18.00 Three-course dinner and prize giving Saturday 29 September 2012 - Conference, AGM, exhibition and gala dinner The Holiday Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon 13.00 - 17.00 Registration and help desk open/Exhibition open 14.00 - 15.00 Exam revision session: Portfolio and all that jazz Do spectacles cause facial basal cell carcinoma? Alicia Thompson Sally Bates 1 CET point 15.00 - 15.30 Exhibition - tea/coffee 15.30 - 16.30 Exam revision session: FQE - That’s the way to do it! Where practices stand after PCTs go, LOC’s role - overview of optics 2012 and scope for DOs Alicia Thompson Mike Cody and Barry Duncan 17.00 ABDO AGM followed by the ABDO Benevolent Fund AGM 18.45 Coaches depart The Holiday Inn for the gala dinner at the Heritage Motor Centre The Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon - 2012 ABDO gala dinner, sponsored by Transitions 19.15 - 20.00 Pre-dinner drinks reception 20.00 - 01.00 2012 ABDO gala dinner Sunday 30 September 2012 - Conference and exhibition The Holiday Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon 08.30 - 17.00 Registration and help desk open/Exhibition open 09.00 - 10.00 Making everything you Diversify! - real life Low vision workshop can out of everything inspirational stories you’ve got Julian Wiles Jo Holmes, with kids ABDO low vision Ros Kirk, with prisons committee members 1 CET point Alan Parkhurst, with LOCs 2 CET points applied for 10.00 - 10.30 Exhibition - tea/coffee 10.30 – 11.30 Becoming a styling practice “Computer says no” - Low vision workshop Refraction workshop - building a bespoke what a difference a Stage 1 business around eyewear decade makes ABDO low vision Stuart Jones Paul Walden committee members 1 CET point 2 CET points applied for 2 CET points applied for 11.30 - 12.00 Exhibition - tea/coffee 12.00 – 13.00 Face to face Recent thinking on Exams drop-in session Refraction workshop protection from the sun’s (CL and FBDO) Stage 2 spectrum Duncan Counter 1 CET point Andy Hepworth 1 CET point 2 CET points applied for 13.00 - 14.30 Exhibition - lunch 14.30 - 15.30 Avoid slips and trips in our The DO’s role in developing Handmade frames Refraction workshop elderly patients a lifestyle/healthy vision workshop Stage 3 practice Anita Morrison-Fokken Frank Munro ABDO practical 1 CET point examiners 2 CET points 2 CET points applied for 15.30 - 16.00 Exhibition - tea/coffee 16.00 - 17.00 From mediocrity to centre To refer or not to refer… Handmade frames stage - people strategies that is the question workshop for successful practice growth Paul Surridge Angela McNamee ABDO practical 1 CET point examiners 2 CET points 17.00 Exhibition and conference closes All ABDO conference CET points are approved for dispensing opticians and optometrists Please note all details shown on the conference agenda are still provisional and are subject to final confirmation DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 21 DO August 2012_1 25/07/2012 14:50 Page 22
22 dispensingoptics August 2012
Dave Wright has fond memories of his time working at an old fashioned practice with the white coat brigade Here come the men in white coats
How things have changed in practice that there were also OMPs a vacant test room for any fittings and over the years – not just from a (ophthalmic medical practitioners) adjustments and on this occasion two technological point of view but also in working there who, of course, were elderly spinster sisters attended the terms of attitudes, morals, fashions and always referred to as ‘doctor’. practice to collect a pair of re-glazed so much more. As I look into any spectacles. optical practice nowadays I see However, white coats were required to open-plan, bright and airy units with be worn during working hours – and The head optometrist’s test room was smartly dressed staff, often in uniform, my fastidious mother even became an not in use so I ushered the two old and high-tech gadgets in abundance. inventor when a pen leaked ink into dears into the room and got them This is a far cry from when I was in my my breast pocket. Cleverly, she took sitting comfortably and proceeded to mid-20s in the early 1980s and was one of the sealed polythene bags that adjust the Dame Edna style supra, working for a firm that even back then new frames arrived in from the acrylic frame (Bunsen burner required) was considered to be old-fashioned. manufacturers, which always seemed which was glazed with glass, 38mm to be in my pockets at the time, and solid round seg bifocals with a Crookes This period of employment was rather cut it to the exact size to fit the breast Alpha tint. Oh, the skills you needed forced upon me as I had been made pocket of my lab coat, thus protecting back then. Once fitted, I left the ladies redundant and needed work, so took it from any future leaks. This simple, in the test room whilst taking the cash whatever dispensing job there was inexpensive solution to an everyday down to our payment booth to collect available. Don’t get me wrong; I problem reminds me of the time the a receipt. On returning, I entered the found the experience enlightening, American space programme test room to be confronted with the made lots of good friends and delighted in releasing the story that sight of the elderly lady I had just fitted generally enjoyed my time with the they had spent millions of dollars in a state of semi-undress, unfastening company doing everything I could to researching and developing a pen one of her stockings from some guide them out of the Stone Age. The that would write upside down in zero cantilever contraption masquerading first thing that struck home when they gravity for use in the space station; the as a girdle – with her sister looking on. employed me was that all the optical Russians took a pencil. staff wore white coats, which gave the I leapt from the room in horror and practice a medical feel. Yes, I’m sure Carry on doctors quickly grabbed one of our young we all looked very professional but But I digress. I must admit that I was female receptionists, explaining that I probably somewhat detached and caught up a little in the self- needed some assistance and asked aloof – the exact opposite of what importance thing that was inherent in her to accompany me back into the had been instilled in me by my the practice with the white coat test room. I asked ‘Gypsy Rose Lee’ previous employers. nonsense. I must have looked quite what on earth she was doing only to imposing with my Serello ruler and pen receive the very matter of fact My optometrist colleagues and I wore in my leak-proof pocket, 60mm eye- response: “Well doctor, I just thought jacket style lab coats but for some size brown mottled, pilot style frame that whilst I was here you could inexplicable reason the head and my 10-hair moustache, quite the perhaps have a look at my varicose optometrist, rather pretentiously, wore grown-up professional man about veins as they have been giving me gyp a white surgeon’s tunic that buttoned town. Looking back . . . what a sight! lately.” Not wishing to cause the dear diagonally up to the neck. This was There was one instance where lady any further embarrassment, I quite bizarre as I’m sure he was wearing a white coat got me into a explained that I was not a doctor and extremely unlikely to become blood- sticky situation. This occurred, as was that she should make herself decent spattered whilst testing eyes. Mind you, customary, when all the dispensing and wrap up well on this cold, wintry this may have stemmed from the fact booths were occupied; we would use day. The poor soul was having none of DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 23
Member musings
"Well, yes they could certainly benefit from some modernisation but Deirdre swears by them . . . she's popping in later to get her haemorrhoids checked out . . ."
it and continuing to slip off her stocking, reminiscent of scenes from the TV laughter and on passing the payment saying: “Surely you can just have a wee series, Are You Being Served?, when booth – sure enough there on the look?” By this time the receptionist had ‘young’ Mr Grace visited the staff at counter sat the toilet roll ready to taken over and dealt admirably with Grace Brothers department store to have two squares torn off and the situation and the ladies, now be met with lots of toadying and presented to any ladies who might suitably attired, set off home – limping sucking up. However, Miss M was great require any. Always up for a laugh, but with excellent vision. for the business from a penny-pinching one of the girls returned an unused point of view as absolutely everything sheet after her ‘comfort break’ much Loo roll laughs was accounted for (even the dust one to Miss M’s amazement and to more In the centre of the practice was a of my colleagues mused once). She stifled howls of laughter from the room that everyone feared, even the had a particular dislike for any young younger members of staff. head optometrist. This was the afore- girls who worked for the company, mentioned payment booth, which though fortunately most became My white coat adventures were fairly resembled an old Post Office counter aware of this at an early stage and shortlived though as I made a complete with glass screen under simply kept out of her way as much as welcome return to the 20th century which was a small scooped out area possible. after 18 months. I think my old white for passing through money, cheques, coat is still lurking somewhere in my etc. This was the domain of Miss M, the On one occasion, a young garage now covered in motorcycle bookkeeper. She must have been in receptionist beckoned for me to follow oil, grease and paint – but still without her 80s, wore the same clothes every her into the corridor where she was an ink-stained pocket. Well done day and disliked everything and almost hysterical with laughter. It mum! everyone with the exception of the appeared that Miss M had noticed managing director who visited the there had been a sudden increase in Dave Wright has been a member of practice twice yearly, whereupon she requests for toilet rolls for the ladies’ ABDO for 38 years and continues to flirted with him outrageously (much to cloakroom. So with typical Dickensian enjoy the world of optics, currently his amusement I’d imagine). frugality, she was now handing out helping to develop ICE (Intelligent two sheets to any of the ladies who Corporate Eyecare) for Duncan and For those of you old enough to requested some loo roll. I, too, Todd and their network of over 2500 remember, these visits were became convulsed with stifled optical practices. n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 24
24 dispensingoptics August 2012
Stylish styles for children The ABDO guide: Children’s eye protection in football’ Snazzy kids ABDO advises on children’s eye shades protection in football
Dibble Optical’s new 2012 ABDO has produced a Schools FA, the Youth FA response from the Scottish accessories catalogue guide for referees, coaches and Scottish Women's FA and we are extremely features 12 stylish kids and parents entitled, Football. grateful for their assistance sunglasses fitted with grey ‘Children’s eye protection in distributing the guide. 80-85 per cent absorption in football’ and a copy is Commenting on the polycarbonate lenses, enclosed with this issue of publication Barry Duncan “I am now looking to liaise providing 100 per cent UVA Dispensing Optics. said: “As I’m actively with the other football and UVB protection up to involved in football and associations in the UK to 400nm. Initiated by ABDO’s also have children that play promote the important members’ support the game, I am acutely message of appropriate The collection consists of six manager, Barry Duncan, aware of the need for eye protection for designs, each with two the guide has been officials and parents to children,” Barry added. colour options suitable for distributed by the Scottish have easily accessible Additional copies of the boys or girls, supplied with Football Association to their information relating to eye guide are available free of a soft case. The range is referees, as well as to the protection for children who charge to ABDO members available singly or as a 12- need to wear spectacles from ABDO Membership piece set with a free while playing soccer. With Services by emailing presentation case. this in mind ABDO has [email protected] Telephone 01634 880885 produced a simple and or telephoning 01227 or email succinct guide. We have 733902, 01227 733912 or [email protected] n had an enthusiastic 01227 733922. n
ABDO promotes members’ skills to public
The skills of ABDO members were ABDO general secretary Tony Garrett seen a steady increase in our qualified promoted to the public last month said: “In line with our members’ desire membership over the past few years. during a test advertising campaign to raise the profile and highlight the The campaign is of course only the first commissioned by the Association. importance of dispensing opticians with small step in assessing how we can the public, we decided to run a test increase communication with the The campaign consisted of four advertising campaign during July, with general public on behalf of our advertisements featured in The an advert planned to appear each members, but we trust it will prove Independent on Sunday News Review weekend. We will monitor the fruitful and provide us with clear (8 and 22 July) and The Guardian subsequent response to assess the pointers for the future.” Weekend magazine (14 and 28 July). effectiveness and viability of national These two publications have a consumer advertising as part of a In addition to the advertising combined A, B, C1, predominantly 30s strategic development programme to campaign, ABDO has introduced a and 40s, readership figure of build greater awareness of our new ‘Information for the public’ section approximately 2.02 million. Banner members’ skills.” on its website (www.abdo.org.uk). This advertising is also appearing on The section has been designed to provide Independent website for a period of Tony continued: “We feel the time is additional information to the public and three months. right to more assertively promote the will help the Association monitor the benefits of seeking advice from effect of the campaign by recording Commenting on the test campaign, registered DOs, not least as we have the number incremental site visits. n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 25
Newsbrief
Jennifer Brower GOC praised The President’s diary for good work
The General Optical At the start of my seem to be widely known increasing. Apart from the Council (GOC) has won presidency, I began a outside the optical world CET points available, there is praise for its work over the campaign to expose illegal that non-qualified people nothing quite like chatting last year. The Council for and poor quality dispensing may dispense under to other DOs about Healthcare Regulatory by non-optical outlets and supervision to the protected common interests and local Excellence (CHRE), which to draw attention to the groups. It seems to me that events. I appreciate that it is oversees the GOC, praised advantages to patients of if the law provides for these not possible for all members work and projects across having their spectacles patients to have their to attend Area meetings, the GOC’s four core dispensed by registered spectacles dispensed by a either because of distance, functions in its 2011/12 opticians. Which? magazine registered optician then it is timing, or other performance review. published an article a few surely an anomaly that commitments, but if you weeks ago which drew anyone may do this work. I have never attended before As well as commending the attention to the poor have never seen the point yet quite like the idea of GOC’s overall performance standard of spectacles of paying a dispensing doing so just contact your as a regulator, the review provided by some of the optician to sit with a non- local Area chairman or highlighted a number of online suppliers, even going qualified person both for the secretary through the website or membership specific areas. These so far as to conclude that dispensing and fitting of the department and you will be included the GOC’s inaccuracies in some of the spectacles when the assured of a warm proposals for enhanced CET, lenses could make the practice is already paying welcome. which comes into effect in spectacles dangerous for him/her to carry out this January 2013, as an driving or using stairs. One work him/herself. By now, all full members example of how it meets welcome opinion expressed should have received their CHRE’s standards for Refraction and the issuing of in the article was that copy of the proposed new education and training. The a prescription is limited by patients should always ask Articles of the Association, GOC’s online retention law to optometrists and for a dispensing optician to together with the voting system also won praise, with doctors, with special rules dispense their high power papers and proxy forms. CHRE noting how feedback for trainee optometrists and and complex prescriptions. Following the consultation indicated that it had medical students, and it is with the membership, this is reduced the burden on regrettable that a similar Which? also made the point the final version which will registrants while allowing that dispensing to children protection was removed in be presented for voting at GOC staff to work more and partially sighted people 1989 following the partial the AGM on 29 September efficiently. was legally restricted to deregulation of dispensing and although the Articles dispensing opticians. five years before. The same are on the website and GOC chief executive Regrettably, it does not criteria should apply to available electronically, it is Samantha Peters said: “We dispensing to children and a legal requirement that work closely with CHRE at all visually impaired people: they should also be sent to times to ensure we are If you have a job that regulated dispensing you by post. I urge you to vacancy in your practice, delivering effective public may only be carried out by read them through carefully please remember that protection. I’m delighted registered opticians to and of course to please use the Situations Vacant that they have highlighted ensure that public your votes, but if you have so much good work that section in the Bulletin protection is assured. Board area of the ABDO any questions or queries on we’ve done over the last website provides you with the content or the voting year, and we will continue I am continuing to visit the a quick and easy facility procedure please contact the work we have already to advertise completely Areas and have been me at [email protected] started to address their pleased to note that Area free-of-charge. n or ring me on 07817 475874. improvement points.” n attendances are gradually Jennifer Brower DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 26
26 dispensingoptics August 2012
Keith Cavaye Keith joins BCLA Eye health included speakers’ faculty in autism guidelines
ABDO board member Keith Keith said: “Legal supply The Local Optical problems; and a Cavaye has joined the and fitting of contact lenses Committee Support Unit recommendation that if British Contact Lens has become somewhat (LOCSU) and the Optical there is suspicion of visual Association (BCLA) Faculty complicated, but it is all Confederation have impairment ‘on an of Speakers – a prestigious written down by the GOC welcomed the inclusion of individual basis, and using speaker panel of BCLA and professional bodies for eye health as a information from the members specialising in practitioners. I attempt to consideration for health and comprehensive assessment contact lenses and the pull out the facts that apply social care professionals and physical examination, anterior eye. to the contact lens when diagnosing and and clinical judgement, practitioner in routine treating adults with autism. consider further A CLO representative on practice and put it into an investigations, including . . . the BCLA Council between understandable format.” Both organisations made a sight test’. 2000 and 2012, Keith is also joint submission to the NICE chair of the ABDO CET The BCLA Faculty of Clinical Guideline on Autism Katrina Venerus, director of Committee, and has a Speakers provides local and in Adults. The guidelines operations and special interest in contact national associations and have been published and commissioning at LOCSU, lens education and legal organisations with expert key recommendations said: “Recognising the issues. As well as sitting on speakers to deliver high include: a recommendation significance of eye health the ABDO board, Keith is a quality presentations on a that all health and social and the part it plays in member of the General wide range of topics. To care professionals who helping with communication Optical Council (GOC) schedule a speaker or learn provide care and support in adults with autism is vital. Investigation Committee more about the BCLA for adults with autism and For this reason, it is essential and sits on ABDO’s and the Faculty, visit the About Us their families, partners and that any sight problems are College of Optometrists’ section of the BCLA website, carers should take into sorted promptly through advice and guidance www.bcla.org.uk, or email account communication investigations such as a setting committees. [email protected] n needs arising from sight sight test.” n
College approved to sponsor international students
The College of Optometrists has been completing their pre-registration been able to find a solution which granted a licence by the UK Border period. Under the new licence, the protects and invests in the future of Agency to sponsor international pre- College will be able to act as a the profession.” registration optometrists under Tier 5 of sponsor for non-EEA trainees while the Government Authorised Exchange. they complete the Scheme for The requirement of the UK Border Registration. Agency scheme will be that the As a result of changes implemented trainee is in the UK to temporarily work earlier this year by the UK Border Jackie Martin, director of education at or train through an approved Agency, many non-European the College said: “We are delighted to exchange scheme and does not Economic Area (EEA) international support students and universities in this intend to establish a business in the students studying optometry at way. With the co-operation of the UK. The fee per trainee is £500, which universities in the UK would have been British Universities Committee of covers the cost to the College of forced to return home after Optometry (BUCO), Universities UK and administering the scheme. Visit graduating, preventing them from the Department of Health we have www.college-optometrists.org/tier5 n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 27 DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 28
28 dispensingoptics August 2012
MKO gets involved locally Glasgow students fundraise for OGS Kids competition to Students dig deep raise funds for OGS
Martyn Kemp Opticians eight to 11 and 12 to 18. The Students at Glasgow Caledonian University raised more (MKO) has launched a child, whose design is than £700 for Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) through children’s competition that selected from one of the raffling a selection of donated prizes at its annual Eye Ball will test their artistic skills as groups, will receive a £50 in May. well as reward the winners book token and a runner- and Sheffield Royal Society up from the other groups, a The students fundraised throughout the year and secured for the Blind (SRSB). £25 token. Five hundred some fantastic prizes to raffle from various sponsors cloths will be printed with including Keeler, CIBA Vision and Carl Zeiss. Held in Oran MKO, South Yorkshire’s the winning design, the cost Mor in Glasgow’s West End, some 150 students attended largest independent firm of covered by MKO, and then for a dinner and ceilidh, with raffle prizes including a Volk opticians, is asking children sold for a minimum of £1 lens, iPod and designer sunglasses. to create designs – ideally each at the firm’s 10 optically-related – one of practices across the region. The ball was organised by a committee of third-year which will be picked to optometry students. Committee member David appear on spectacle Our photograph shows MKO MacTaggart said: “This year we decided to carry out the cleaning cloths to be sold in chairman, Martin Kemp, Eye Ball a little differently and instead of it just being a aid of SRSB. launching the competition party to celebrate the end of term and exams, we with Sue Coggin, SRSB decided to give something back and run the event for Designs are invited from all fundraising and marketing Optometry Giving Sight. The night was a great success; schoolchildren, with or manager, and (from left) we managed to raise over £700 for Optometry Giving without a visual impairment, Olivia Arden, Leo Eaton, Sight and had a real blast doing it.” Heather McCammon, who will be judged in three Khalil Qasem and Ben VP of the Optometry Society, is pictured presenting the age groups – up to seven, Arden. n Louis Stone raffle prize. n
New directors for BCLA
The British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) has welcomed Keith Cavaye, contact lens optician representative; and four new members onto Council. William Thomas, past president.
At the Association’s 2012 AGM, held at the ICC BCLA president, Dr Catharine Chisholm, said: “I am Birmingham on 25 May during the 36th BCLA Clinical delighted to welcome our new members on Council. Iain, Conference and Exhibition, Maxine Green (technical Maxine, Sheetal and Siobhan each bring with them a representative), Iain May (contact lens optician breadth of experience and knowledge that will ensure representative), Sheetal Patel (optometric representative) the Council remains well placed to address the needs of and Dr Siobhan Wren (medical representative) were members. Above all, they share a passion for contact appointed as directors of the BCLA. Katherine Reed, who lenses which lies at the heart of the organisation and its had already served a three-year term as a lay member membership.” n director, was voted on for a further three years.
At the AGM immediate past president, Shelly Bansal, also Delegate booking forms and Conference thanked the following retiring Council members for their Club forms are available from ABDO services to the BCLA: Marc Bennett, honorary treasurer Membership Services on 01227 733902, and lay member; Michel Guillon, optometric 01227 733912 or 01227 733922. representative; Vinod Kumar, medical representative; DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 29
Newsbrief
Professor David Thomson and Penny D’Arth DOs help out at London 2012 Olympics
Michelle Derbyshire, head countries and their support Thomson said: “We have a eyecare services including of operational services at teams at a new, state-of- fantastic team of screening, refraction, ABDO College, is one of 16 the-art polyclinic in the optometrists, dispensing spectacle dispensing, dispensing and CLO London 2012 Olympics opticians, ophthalmologists contact lens fitting and after volunteers working at the athletes’ village. and orthoptists from care and initial diagnosis eye clinic during the London Scotland, Ireland, Wales and treatment of ocular 2012 Olympics. Professor David Thomson and England who are all injuries and diseases. It will and Dr Penny D’Ath of City providing their services free also provide a full low vision As Dispensing Optics went University, London, designed of charge. We have superb service for the visually to press, a team of DOs, the eyecare service after equipment, great facilities impaired athletes attending OOs and ophthalmologists having been involved with and a talented the Paralympic Games. were preparing to cater for the project for the last three multidisciplinary team. Our the eyecare needs of some years. Speaking ahead of aim is to provide a seamless Based on the experience of 18,000 athletes from 204 the Games, Professor service which will showcase previous games, it was UK eyecare at its very best.” anticipated that the eye ABDO Benevolent Fund clinic would be one of the The clinic will operate on a busiest with up to 120 If you know of a dispensing optician, or a dependant of a daily basis from 6.30am to patients per day. “It will a dispensing optician, who might benefit from the ABDO 11.15pm throughout an busy few weeks, but it will Benevolent Fund please get in touch with Jane Burnand on 020 eight-week period from 9 be a once-in-a-lifetime 7298 5102 or write to her at ABDO, 199 Gloucester Terrace, July to 12 September 2012. It experience for everybody London W26LD. n will provide a full range of involved,” said Dr D’Ath. n
and eyecare for the whole population Putting eyecare ‘on the map’ locally is “on the map locally”. He confirmed that local networks were in the testing phase to see how they should be formally set up and led. The Optical Confederation, Local indicator, described by his officials as Optical Committee Support Unit the ‘gold standard’ in the In response to Earl Howe’s speech, (LOCSU), College of Optometrists, government’s Public Health Strategy, Katrina Venerus of LOCSU said: “LOCSU Royal College of Ophthalmologists, which will track progress in tackling has been working hard with LOCs and British and Irish Orthoptic Society and avoidable sight loss and visual the NHS Commissioning Board Transition the RCN Ophthalmic Nurses Forum impairment for age-related macular team to work out how Local Eye Health welcomed a keynote speech made degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic Professional Networks can best by ‘eye health’ Minister, Earl Howe, at retinopathy annually through Public operate. Whatever the final model, the UK Vision 2012 conference on 12 Health England. clearly their strength will lie in the active June in London. involvement of all local partners Earl Howe also stressed the huge including LOCs, community optical The Minister for Quality praised the potential for Local Eye Health practices, hospital colleagues, patient cross-sector partnership that Professional Networks as an integral groups, Health and Wellbeing Boards, developed the eye health indicator as part of the NHS Commissioning Board commissioners and the voluntary sector an exemplar of collaboration and co- and key partners with Clinical to reshape care pathways where production for the whole of the health Commissioning Groups and Health necessary, maximise use of resources sector. He said he was ‘delighted’ with and Wellbeing Boards to act as the and reduce levels of avoidable visual the inclusion of the eye health hub and make sure that eye health impairment to deliver the indicator.” n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 30
30 dispensingoptics August 2012
Kamlesh Chauhan Open day at Vision Charity gives £1.6m Care Instiute to research
The Vision Care Institute breadth of knowledge that Fight for Sight has invested said: “Currently, there are a (VCI) in Crowthorne, The FMO engenders.” £1.6m in eye research to huge number of eye Berkshire, has invited support its aim to help make conditions that we do not members of the Federation The October FMO event will sight loss a thing of the past. know enough about and of Manufacturing Opticians include an illustrated which have few treatment (FMO) and their guests to demonstration of the The charity has awarded 10 options – such as age- make use of its facilities on direction in eye surgery and new research grants, related macular 16 October. the use of intraocular lenses, including one clinical degeneration and diabetic presented by Rob Morris, fellowship, two early career retinopathy. It is therefore John Conway, FMO consultant ophthalmologist investigator awards and crucial that we invest as chairman, explained: “We at Southampton University seven project grants. The much as we can into are keen to encourage all Hospital Trust, and medical work funded by Fight for research, which could bring aspects of the industry and director of Optegra. VCI Sight, which will take place us closer to finding new profession to work more head and president of the in universities and hospitals ways to help people living closely together in looking College of Optometrists, across the UK, could with sight loss.” n at the current and future Kamlesh Chauhan, will brief potentially give hope to direction of vision delegates on the latest millions of people living with Cost of partial correction. This latest FMO options for contact lens some of the most common event, following the Institute wearers, particularly the causes of sight loss. sight and of Director’s presentation on presbyopic. Register by blindness Budget Day, is a clear emailing [email protected] Dr Dolores Conroy, director demonstration of the or telephone 020 7298 5123. n of research at Fight for Sight, Partial sight and blindness in the adult UK population cost £22bn in 2008, according to a new report by Access Economics Vouchers and grants increase welcomed (Australia) for the Royal National Institute of Blind People. Direct healthcare The Optometric Fees Review Committee fees. This is of course extremely system costs amounted to (OFRC) has already welcomed the disappointing; and the Department of £2.14bn and indirect costs increase of 2.5 per cent in General Health has been left in no doubt about our amount to £4.34bn. Ophthalmic Services (GOS) voucher values views on the inadequacy of the sight test and now welcomes a similar increase of 2.5 fee. That said, we have been able to In addition, the loss of per cent in the grants for CET and pre- influence the government to increase the healthy life and the loss of registration students’ supervisors. These GOS voucher values, which we are life due to premature death increases will be backdated to 1 April 2012. pleased about on our patients’ behalf; and associated with partial sight we have still been able to negotiate a and blindness imposes a At the same time, the Department of Health small increase in the CET and pre- cost on society through a has confirmed that there is no increase in registration trainers’ grants in these tough reduction in the stock of the NHS sight test fees, which thus remain times. ‘health capital’. This the same as in 2010/11. reduction was estimated at “It is our intention to survey practices this £15.51bn in 2008. The cost to Chair of the OFRC, Claire Slade, said: “In autumn on sight test times with a view to general ophthalmic services line with the current public sector pay having up to data available for our (GOS) was estimated to be freeze, the government has once again negotiations on next year’s fee,” Claire £484.04m in the same year. decided not to increase GOS sight test added. n www.rnib.org.uk n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 31 DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 32
32 dispensingoptics August 2012
Gordon Jones in a charity pickle Take him to Funding for Anglia the Tower dispensing course
Gordon Jones, Upper spared the indignity of The Department of Vision colleagues from the Warden of the Worshipful entry via Traitors’ Gate but, and Hearing Sciences at department to develop the Company of Spectacle on arrival, they were lined Anglia Ruskin University has work. Makers, was recently up by the Yeoman Warders secured funding from the charged at the Guildhall, in and marched in to their Higher Education Academy Dr Siderov said: “The recent front of the Lady Mayoress temporary prison under the (HEA) to help develop HEA success forms part of and Sheriff Wendy Mead, guard. clinical standards in the department’s ongoing with: “Developing X-ray ophthalmic dispensing. pursuit of innovation in contact lenses that can Fortunately, all had had the teaching and learning in detect the colour of foresight to arrange bail The HEA Teaching ophthalmic dispensing. The ladies’…socks”. prior to their arrest, and Development Grant, valued results will have a significant between them they thus at over £25,000, was impact not only within our He was then fitted with a managed to raise more awarded to Dr John Siderov, department in ophthalmic ball and chain and than £35,000 in aid of the head of department, to dispensing but within the despatched to HM Palace British Red Cross. Thanks to support the development of profession by helping to and Fortress, the Tower of his fellow Spectacle Makers robust and defensible inform national policy on London in a 1935 and other friends, Gordon’s methods of assessment of the assessment of clinical charabanc along with contribution amounted to key clinical skills and competencies for Masters from a further 20 some £2,500. Our competencies in dispensing opticians.” n City Livery Companies, all photograph shows Gordon ophthalmic dispensing. Dr of whom had been Jones under guard in HM Siderov will be working with New sports charged with various other Palace and Fortress the research assistant Julie misdemeanours. They were Tower of London. n Hughes FBDO and other models Featured in Noville’s new sports eyewear cataloue New faces at Sight Care are three new models from Progear to bolster its Active The Sight Care Group has made a number in 1991, is the new territory sales manager Protection range, each with of staff appointments. Kathryn Whittington for the South East and London. a sports band to keep the has joined the group as marketing and goggles secure. meetings manager. With an MSc in forensic Finally Fiona Simmons has been appointed archaeological science, Kathryn has as territory sales manager for the North A new wind/splash guard worked in various membership and West, Scotland and Northern Ireland. After insert is available in all sizes, marketing roles with the Institute of completing a paediatric nursing course at in both a standard rubber Archaeologists since 2005. She will take King’s College London, Fiona worked in option for splash and the responsibility for Sight Care’s meetings various sales, marketing and management same rubber option with programme and marketing activity. positions. additional foam outer for wind protection and Richard Bentley has been promoted to UK Sight Care’s chief executive, Paul Surridge, increased comfort. There is sales manager. Richard, who joined Sight said: “I am delighted to welcome three also a booster bridge option Care in 2005 as northern Territory sales new faces to Sight Care and to for both small-fitting frames manager, will continue to work with congratulate Richard Bentley on his in the Progear range for kids member practices in the North East of promotion to UK sales manager. I am with shallow bridges. Trivex England. confident that the new team will contribute lens material, as well as greatly to the group’s plans to enhance its polycarbonate prescription Andy Brown, who joined the optics industry members’ businesses and communicate options, are now available in 1991, is the new territory sales manager the value of Sight Care membership more within the company’s for the South East and London. widely.” n package price. n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 33
Newsbrief
One of Daniel’s vintage frames Eyemaginations allergies image DO unearths Eyemaginative patient vintage treasures education tool
When dispensing optician made long before the The National Eyecare Group or TV to educate patients Daniel Read took over as regulation was even thought (NEG) is now the exclusive who are waiting in the manager at the Thornbury of, so we couldn't supply UK agent for reception area or consulting branch of Norville Opticians them to anybody.” After Eyemaginations software – room. in January this year he seeking advice from several an interactive patient made an exciting discovery. people, including ABDO’s education and marketing NEG business development Hidden in the back of a Barry Duncan, Daniel tool that will be on show at director, Phil Mullins, said: cupboard was a box full of managed to track down a the ABDO conference in “We strongly believe that frames dating back to the company that could check September. Eyemaginations can 1970s and 80s, when frames the frames were up to enhance any practice and were big and bright. current regulations and CE Eyemaginations sets out to will save practitioners mark them. All that was then improve patient valuable time and money. “I was delighted when I saw needed was to tidy up of understanding and More importantly, it is the these frames as a lot of the the frames with some new information recall through a best way to educate your fashions for spectacles at nosepads. suite of software tools that patients, differentiate your the moment are for very help practitioners to simplify practice and increase your retro styles and here I was “I'm very grateful to complex topics whilst profit.” looking at the real thing,” Premiere Optical for their reinforcing the clinical said Daniel. “The quality and help in this,” said Daniel. “I message before, during and To find out more, visit finish of these frames is was lucky to find somebody after the patient’s visit. The www.nationaleyecare.co.uk something very different who had been involved as flagship software, and click on the from what is generally about an advisor when they were Eyemaginations Luma, Eyemaginations tab. at the moment. They don't creating the regulation features a library of 3D- Alternatively, contact Sandi make them like they used regarding spectacle frames animated visuals including Charlesworth, NEG business to, as they say.” so he was ideally placed to narratives, trivia slides and development manager, on verify them for us. The supplier media that 07794096647 or email There was a problem frames themselves are big practitioners can use to s.charlesworth@nationaleye though, in that Daniel and bright, offering create continuous care.co.uk to arrange a no- couldn’t sell the frames something that is educational loops on a PC obligation demonstration. n legally. “Regulation came in fashionably vintage and at the end of the 1990s that genuinely different to New faces on the team frames had to be CE anything that is marked, and these were manufactured today.” n Steve Wright and Brad Rogers have joined CooperVision’s professional services team for the UK and Ireland, based at Two at the top the company’s EMEA headquarters in Segensworth, Hampshire. Graham Avery and Kevin Mitchell have been appointed joint managing directors of David Thomas Contact Steve, a former professional services manager for Lenses. mark’ennovy, will provide CET and non-CET training, product presentations and clinical support to practitioners, Former sales director Graham and former production alongside spending one day a week in practice. Brad director Kevin replace William Thomas, son of founder Rogers, who spent four years as programme manager and David Thomas who retired earlier in the summer. “The lecturer at Bradford College, will also be responsible for David Thomas brand remains in good hands with Graham helping develop and deliver a number of training and Kevin, who will help us strengthen our position in the programmes. Karl Aberdeen, CooperVision professional European custom lens market,” said Toshio Matsushima, relations manager, said Brad and Steve offered invaluable executive officer of Menicon and president of Menicon insight from the manufacturing side and from a Holdings BV, a holding company in the Netherlands. n practitioner perspective. n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 34
34 dispensingoptics August 2012
Working together Rodenstock Polarised Lenses Helping to raise On the training standards safe side
A donation of £5,000 from is promoting are: the Level 4 New Rodenstock Polarised example when driving. the Federation of Diploma for Optical Lenses are designed to Ordinary tinted sunglasses Manufacturing Opticians Technicians (SMC Tech), improve everyday vision lenses can reduce light (FMO) will help to raise regarded at the Gold and increase safety. transmittance but will not training standards in Standard in manufacturing stop blinding glare.” manufacturing optics, said optics; the Level 2 Certificate Debbie Bathgate, recipient the Worshipful in Optical Customer Service Rodenstock lens product As well as blocking dazzling Company of Spectacle Course, appreciated as an manager, said: “Everyday light, Rodenstock Polarised Makers (WCSM). excellent introduction for all glare can be annoying and Lenses improve colour and support staff; the Level 2 uncomfortable on the eyes, depth perception, along Gordon Jones, WSMC upper Award in Spectacle Glazing; but when the angle of the with clarity and contrast. warden and chairman of and the Level 3 Award in reflection is such that it They are available in three the Qualifications Rimless Glazing. www.spec becomes blinding, serious tint options – 85 per cent Committee, who is pictured taclemakers.com n accidents can occur for brown, grey and green. n at Apothecaries Hall with FMO chairman John Conway and its chief Record year for software firm executive Malcolm Polley, Practice management software specialist See20/20 has reported a record year with commented: “Education turnover up by 40 per cent for the year ended 31 March 2012. leads to so much more confidence in the workplace The company secured a record number of new customers during the last year, with and this donation helps us to nearly 100 independent practices investing in See20/20 – the world’s first internet-based promote our efforts to raise practice management software for opticians. standards in training levels within manufacturing optics. “We are all delighted with the progress achieved so far in such a short space of time,” We are very mindful of the said co-director Ian Houghton. “See20/20 is poised for dramatic growth with opticians costs of our courses and this and independent practices as far a field as Australia, Russia and North America also donation really helps.” interested in applying our unique web based system. Alongside new markets, we will continue to grow our position in the UK and are committed to serving the industry for Key courses that the WSMC many years to come.” n
Prescribing exam gains further approval
Following a quality assurance assessment of the processes and standard setting panel, a member of inspection by its visitor panel, the standards in place to administer the the appeals panel and the external General Optical Council (GOC) has exam – which is undertaken by examiner. approved the College of optometrists who wish to become Optometrists’ Independent qualified as independent prescribers. The GOC was satisfied with the Prescribing exam for a further three The GOC representatives examined College’s management of the exam years. the standard-setting process, looked and highlighted the question bank at the appeals process and analysed and the feedback given to all During its inspection visit, the GOC post-exam data. As well as College candidates as particular examples panel carried out a thorough staff, they interviewed the chair of the of good practice. n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 35 DO August 2012_1 25/07/2012 14:50 Page 36
36 dispensingoptics August 2012
CC Eyewear from Orange Martin Duffy Catwalk draws the DO in the fashion crowd running
A catwalk show will be a major attraction at Optrafair’s A fleet of foot DO from Newcastle will be joining thousands of Fashion Quarter (FQ), which is now almost completely other fundraisers in the Great North Run on 16 September in sold out despite being expanded by 33 per cent over aid of Vision Aid Overseas (VAO). As if this wasn’t enough, the previous show. Martyn Duffy also ran the Great North 10K last month and will join the Edinburgh 10K in October. Robert Morris, managing director of William Morris Eyewear, will be taking three times the space that he Martyn works for Alastair Wade Optometrists, a family based had over the 2011 show. He said: “We are taking five independent group with practices throughout the Tyne Valley stands in 2013. We need to be there as we are really and Northumberland including Prudhoe, Ryton, Lanchester passionate about the UK market. Besides OWP, Mexx and the main practice in Durham. “The group differs from and William Morris we are set to launch Charles Stone many of the others in the sense that we undertake a lot of NY, our new recession brand.” visual therapy and training ranging from colorimetry, helping with visual stress, to therapeutic spectacles to help with the Menrad is also increasing its presence, as managing development of the visual system,” said Martyn. director Chris Beal explained: “Our brands Jaguar, Morgan, Joop, Davidoff and Menrad are associated with To support Martyn, and VAO, you can make a donation at fashion and we have deliberately selected stands which www.justgiving.com/martynduffy n are close to the catwalk and have a larger presence in recognition of the importance of the fair.”
Hanna Nussbaum, managing director of Orange Runaway success for marathon campaign Eyewear, said: “Optrafair’s FQ is a great forum to promote our diverse frame collections. We carry a Johnson & Johnson Vision Care saw lens assessment and fitting with number of niche designer brands that offer on-trend, a recording-breaking 20,645 people Acuvue lenses. contemporary looks, which complement the overall feel sign up online for 30 days’ free and buzz of the area. Optrafair 2013 will act as the Acuvue daily disposable contact “Johnson & Johnson Vision Care perfect launch pad for lots of exciting new models.” lenses following its partnership with is committed to helping drive the 2012 Virgin London Marathon. patients into practices and we For details about Optrafair 2013 visit This in return drove more than are delighted that the Virgin www.optrafair.co.ukn 3,800 into practices for a contact London Marathon has become our most successful campaign,” said Marcella McParland, Stepping up aid in Ethiopia director of professional affairs. “Through a multifaceted Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) is Nationalities and Peoples VAO programme director approach, the campaign engaged extending its support to the Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia. for Ethiopia, Michele de with a wide range of audiences University of Hawassa (UH) SNNPR is one of the nine Vaal, said: “I am extremely to communicate how contact and the Hawassa University administrative regions of excited to have the lenses can help patients reach Teaching Hospital (HUTH) in Ethiopia and has a opportunity to work with the their personal best.” Ethiopia by upgrading its population of 15 million hospital to develop a Vision optical laboratory and people. HUTH is the referral Centre. It is critical for Vision The company is offering patients dispensing facilities to a hospital for a district with Aid Overseas to support the 30 days’ free when they buy a Vision Centre. nearly three million people development of sustainable two months’ supply of 1•Day and therefore it is critical eyecare facilities in strategic Acuvue Moist lenses, or sign up The hospital is based in the that is has adequate locations in Ethiopia and to a direct debit. Practices city of Hawassa, the capital optometry and spectacle Hawassa is an extremely should contact their account of the Southern National, dispensing services. good example of this.” n manager for details. n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 37
Newsbrief
Letter to the Editor
Community eyecare Absurd to lose services mapped the ‘D’ word
The first ever map pathways with local health With reference to the recent debate regarding keeping depicting community commissioners. For the first the ‘D’ word, I can only fully endorse the thoughts of eyecare services in time, they will be able to Derek Griffiths writing in the April issue of Dispensing England is testimony to the demonstrate the success of Optics. hard work of Local Optical other, often neighbouring Committees (LOCs) over areas in the I am very proud to be representing dispensing opticians as the past few years, implementation of specific the holder of a Royal Warrant of Appointment, which according to Katrina pathways. reads “By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Venerus, director of Dispensing Opticians Roger Pope & Partners London”. I operations and “National policymakers will believe the words ‘dispensing optician’ accurately commissioning at LOCSU. also have for the first time a describes my professional skills because I dispense ‘snapshot’ view of spectacle frames and ophthalmic lenses from a The map, known as the community eyecare prescription prescribed by another ophthalmic Atlas of Optical Variation, services available in the professional who examined their eyes. demonstrates which England – helpful for the community eyecare Optical Confederation and I am very honoured to be recognised as a dispensing pathways are in place LOCSU in demonstrating optician. To lose this term from our professional where. Katrina said: “This the success and value of organisation is absurd as it accurately describes our skills map will be of great value community eyecare,” she set. What I also find staggering is that the last vote on a to LOCs when making the added. Visit at change of name was held at the AGM in Brighton in case for additional www.locsu.co.uk/atlas n autumn 2009. The vote failed, with 66 per cent of votes cast against and 34 per cent in favour. To succeed, any proposal must achieve 75 per cent of votes cast. So why three years later is ABDO wasting time and resources Optician Index - May 2012 summary when there was obviously a majority vote against this? Please remember that this is a membership organisation principally based in the UK and the Board of Directors • Eye examinations reduced by 1 per cent from April to must listen to their members and not pursue their personal 110 Index points ambition through overseas expansion plans. I am passionate about dispensing optics as a profession and it • Turnover per eye examination went up by £1.26 from has provided me with a wonderful career. We must keep last month to £156.90 the word ‘dispensing’ in our Association title as it accurately describes what the vast majority of members • Sample average total dispensing down 2 per cent are doing on a day-to-day basis within their individual from April 2011 to 96 Index points practices. ·• Progressive lenses increase by 7 per cent on May 2011 Roger Pope FBDO to 211 Index points Director, Roger Pope & Partners • Smaller and larger turnover practices out-perform London middle turnover group
The full May 2012 Optician Index report was published in the We welcome contributions to our Letters to the Editor page 29 June 2012 issue of Optician which we reserve the right to edit. If you would like to air your views please write to The Editor, Dispensing Optics, PO Box 233, Crowborough TN6 9BD or send an email to [email protected] DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:14 Page 38
38 dispensingoptics August 2012
Ophthalmic Lenses Availability (2012) Edited by Phil and Pat Gilbert The optician’s bible is back, writes Phil Gilbert
A little over a year ago my wife Pat from 53 entries up to 351. and I took up the challenge of Manufacturers such as Zeiss and updating the publication, ‘Ophthalmic Rodenstock no longer offer any semi- Lenses Availability’. This invaluable finished plastic progressive lenses and Phil and Pat Gilbert book, originally started by Dr Alan BBGR, Essilor, Nikon and Seiko only Tunnacliffe, was last published in 2009. offer one semi-finished product; the That issue effectively represented an rest are freeform, indicating how this style products on offer. This is also true updated version of the products on technology is now playing such an with regard to specialist lenses such as offer during 2008 and our task was to important role in optics. lenticulars. Another fact concerns the update it for 2012. How hard could this range of glass lenses available. The be? To say that the term ‘update’ Freeform is also playing its part in both number of glass products on offer has actually meant a total rewrite single vision and occupational lenses also remained flat but they still indicates why it has taken so long to with an increase from 8 to 98 entries in represent a surprising 11 per cent of produce, but it has now been single vision, and from 0 to 25 entries in the overall number of available lens completed and the final copy is occupational progressives. There are options. undergoing proof reading ready for even a few freeform versions of printing as we speak. degressive lenses, bifocals and It must be remembered that the progressive glass lenses and I am sure figures quoted above indicate the So why did it take so long and what these numbers will rise in the future. physical number of individual lens has been learned about the products Another area of definite growth is in entries in the publication and one lens we have to choose from currently in the lifestyle sector, which design can feature many times in the relation to those on offer only three to encompasses lens products designed ‘Availability Index’ if you take into four years ago? for outdoor activities where both the account all the different refractive style of the frame and the tint are indices and treatments such as Firstly, and probably most importantly, taken into account. There is a definite photochromic and polarised versions we have seen an overall increase of increase in higher base curve lens on offer. The chart reproduced below more than 38 per cent in lens entries entries and although there were a few gives a generalised picture of the within the publication. In 2009 there lenses of this type available in 2009, product type movements from 2009 to were 957 individual lens entries in they had been included in the 2012 and the new production trends comparison to 1,326 for 2012, the vast general lens sections. Now, with so can easily be seen. majority of these representing the many higher base curve lifestyle lenses manufacturing swing away from semi- available, together with specialised In conclusion, it has been a fascinating finished progressive lens production in sports tint options, they do warrant a journey, meticulously entering every favour of freeform production. In fact separate section of their own. lens, their indices, blank sizes, power the number of traditional semi-finished ranges and cylinder powers together progressive lens entries has reduced Looking at traditional lens products with additions where required. We by 25 per cent, indicating the decline such as single vision, bifocals and have waded through the ’marketing in this technology. Meanwhile, there trifocals, the number of entries is fairly speak’ and avoided the smoke and has been an increase in plastic equal to the previous issue and mirrors in order to hopefully produce freeform progressive technology of surprisingly there is no real decline in proper optical facts. On the way, we 662 per cent – a massive movement the number and variety of the older have discovered many new products which can give every practitioner new direction and access to many future White Photochromic Polarised dispensing opportunities. For example, F/F = freeform 2009 2012 2009 2012 2009 2012 where can you get a glass degressive S/V plastic 96 109 83 63 25 27 S/V glass 34 34 8 11 lens or a plastic photochromic F/F S/V 3 48 5 36 0 14 version? Who offers cylinders up to 9D S/V lifestyle 0 17 03 0 as standard? Where can I get a F/F S/V lifestyle 0 19 06 06 bifocal with a 15mm segment for a Bifocal plastic 96 103 26 24 66 golfer? All of these questions and Bifocal glass 33 27 16 16 many more are answered in the 2012 F/F bifocals 03 04 02 Ophthalmic Lenses Availability. Trifocal plastic 14 15 21 11 Trifocal glass 74 53 No practice, glazing laboratory or Progressive plastic 262 110 103 74 21 5 Progressive glass 33 31 6 15 optical representative should be F/F progressive plastic 43 182 7 142 3 27 without a copy and it is definitely time F/F progressive glass 03 02 to ditch that old version currently Progressive lifestyle 06 03 00 languishing in the drawer. Life moves F/F Prog lifestyle 0 17 0 12 0 10 on and with more than 400 new lens Degressive plastic 19 24 04 products on offer and new production Degressive glass 01 technology, the 2012 version is a F/F degressive 09 03 definite must have. The bible is back. Progressive vocational 25 To pre-order your copy, telephone F/F progressive vocational 0 25 Pre presbyopia 08 03 03 the ABDO Bookshop on 01227 733904 642 800 261 425 56 101 or order online at www.abdocollege.org.uk/bookshop n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:15 Page 39 DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:15 Page 40
40 dispensingoptics August 2012
Social media junkie Louise Ballantyne ponders the downs and ups of social networking Social media or unsocial person Louise Ballantyne
Anyone who knows me (or reads the stock market for the first time but in level that its manufacturer, Metsuki, Disjointed jottings) will know that I am the weeks immediately after, billions of has plunged to. Using innocent, non- a bit of a social media junkie. So you dollars were wiped off the value of its qualified dispensing staff to aid their can imagine my horror when in the shares. When I first joined Facebook I quest for world domination (okay, space of one weekend I not only had got ever so excited updating my maybe world domination is a step too to give up my internet connection status and locations and uploading far.) As this is a subject I am quite pending a house move but my photos; it’s nice to have a permanent passionate about, I maybe gave the Blackberry died on me – my worst record of special times in your life that poor woman a bit of a lecture about nightmare. Off I toddled to the phone you can readily share with people using it. Just maybe. Her reaction was: shop to find out I would be stuck with who matter to you. But the sheen has “It’s just a PD ruler, what harm can it a temporary phone for up to 28 days. worn off somewhat. I find myself do?” What harm can it do? A patient This temporary ‘phone’ is so basic it frustrated sometimes at silly things having their ‘PD’ (whatever that may doesn’t even have a camera, let people write and stupid game mean, I’ll leave that to someone else alone internet access; so whilst waiting requests (whatever is Farmville to dissect) taken with this ruler may to get my new internet connection set anyway? I spent 18 years living read it and wonder what it’s all about. up I found myself stuck in a social on/around real farms, so why would I We are a curious population (and by media blackout. On my hour-long want to have a pretend one?) that I mean British – not DOs) and it metro commute, I was bored out of would only take a few clicks on my brain. My books were all packed This is where Twitter shines through. Google to source what could into boxes. My iPod had disappeared Okay, so you can’t upload whole previously have been an unknown somewhere into the void and then I photo albums but you can be territory. The next thing you know, the reached for my phone. You don’t whoever you want to be without patient is back shouting, “Give me my realise how much you depend on ridicule. Because you can only ‘tweet’ PD” as per the statement they something until you don’t have it. 140 characters at a time it really makes originally read. you think about what you want to say. While social media is a great part of I have been tempted many times to The other side of the ruler was not so modern life (I use it not only to rant but deactivate my Facebook account but bad. It simply said, www.Metsuki.com. to stay in touch with people all over I always relent as it feels like a last link Really only to a professional does that the world I would otherwise have lost to school friends who live hundreds of word strike cold. To a patient it could touch with long ago) I do wonder if it miles away. But before long, I think I will mean anything, so unless they are has adversely affected society. I, for have to go cold turkey, because this really curious I would think it unlikely one, an guilty of Tweeting a colleague week of blackout has shown me one they would explore that too far. But who is just downstairs whilst having my thing: ‘My name is Louise and I am a where does it end? We already know lunch knowing full well I will see them social media addict’. Metsuki is prepared to go to any long before they actually see the lengths, including potential libel (I’m message. Only a few weeks ago I was Plunging new depths sure you remember its claim a couple at a house party and a friend texted ‘Give me my PD’. Before you all get of years ago to have the backing of me to get my attention rather than mad at me, and think I’ve turned to Liberal Democrat MP Charles speaking to me. Did social media kill the dark side – I haven’t. The former Kennedy). Then there is the petition, the art of conversation? Has it seen its statement was actually emblazoned traffic to which is what the ruler was day in the sun? on a PD ruler I caught an optical aimed at. Investigation of the assistant using in front of a patient at a company’s website today shows it is Recently Facebook was floated on practice I worked in last year. This is the now asking users to assist in its own DO August 2012_1 25/07/2012 14:50 Page 41
Disjointed jottings from a DO’s desk . . .
dispense by using a webcam. I worrying one. The only way this will did. I discovered that suppose we could argue that at least improve is if we – and by ‘we’ I mean www.framesdirect.co.uk will actually Metsuki cares about the pupillary the collective of the professional provide online spectacles for children. distance, unlike the host of websites associations and the General Optical I’ve already ranted about the PD saying they will use an ‘average’ Council (GOC) working together – issue, but children’s frames are also measurement. Having said that, educate the public properly about required to be fitted accurately as Metsuki does claim, “A good what’s what. Television is the best part of the GOC regulations. How can optometrist will provide your PD on media, but we need to have the final this be done on the internet? Because request.” I certainly don’t know any – say about how we are represented. I know I wouldn’t be happy adjusting do you? The ‘Rip Off Britain’ programme should children’s specs bought online. have been an ideal platform and As part of my research for this article I Karen Sparrow, in my opinion, did a None of the issues associated with this looked at some online spectacle fine job but it was obvious that the will change overnight. We need to be retailers. I was shocked to find that interview had been heavily edited patient and place our faith in our one (www.glassesuk.com) allowed me and geared to look like we, as a professional association(s). It will get to provisionally order spectacles with profession, were in the wrong. With better. In the interim, we can only the following prescription without even ‘friends’ like that, who needs enemies? educate our patients one by one in being asked about any everyday practice. If we even prevent measurements: The other way is through social one irresponsible online dispense, it will RE: -8.00DS/-4.00DC x 67.5 networking. Twitter is an amazing be worth it. LE: -5.00DS/-0.25DC x 45 platform to give out information in 140 characters or less. Facebook allows Louise Ballantyne FBDO is a dispensing I realise this is an extreme more interaction, but I find Twitter optician based in Newcastle upon circumstance. It was simply an more user friendly. Just when we Tyne. She is also the Student Liason experiment, but nevertheless a very thought it couldn’t get any worse, it Officer for ABDO Area 1 (North). n DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:15 Page 42
42 dispensingoptics August 2012
CET answers: Colour vision and traffic recognition
1. This article addresses one of the potential problems 7. Which statement about traffic signals is true? associated with driving. According to Professor Chris Dixon, a. In bright sunlight red lights look bright for most colour how many driving licences were held in the UK during blind people 2009/10? b. Electronic in car traffic signal detection systems are a. 25.7 million b. 33.5 million unlikely to become a feature in cars for the future c. 38.2 million d. 41.9 million c. Green lights can disappear at night for most colour blind b is the correct answer. There were at that time 33.5 million people holders of driving licences, representing 72% of the adult d. In some Canadian provinces different colour traffic lights population are also different shapes to help colour blind people distinguish them 2. More recently local councils have taken to replacing d is the correct answer. The different shaped lights, arrayed more traditional bulbs with brighter, longer lasting and more horizontally can also be different sizes to help identification economic arrays in their traffic signals. What type of arrays are now more commonly being used? 8. The Q quotient is calculated by comparing the luminous a. Neon b. Incandescent transmittance of a tinted lens for a given traffic signal with c. Light-emitting diodes d. Halogen its luminous transmittance for illuminant D65. Which c is the correct answer. The LED or light-emitting diode technical body standardises illuminant D65? displays are brighter, longer lasting and use less power, and a. CIE b. EN:ISO c. IEC d. CENELEC even with LED failure they continue to operate at a a is the correct answer. The International Commission on reduced level Illumination is responsible for all the illuminant standards used to establish Q quotients 3. Which statement about LEDs is false? a. The bulb of an LED may be 10° to 25°C hotter than its 9. According to EN:ISO 14889, what Q quotient is required surrounding ambience of a lens to enable a green signal to be visibly identified b. LEDs convert 15 to 20 per cent of their energy into visible when used by a colour normal wearer? light a. 0.8 b. 0.6 c. 0.4 d. 0.2 c. The radiant power of a LED is monochromatic b is the correct answer. 0.6 is the Q quotient required for d. A typical LED has a narrowband spectral bandwidth green, 0.8 for red and yellow and 0.4 for blue between 20nm and 50nm c is the correct answer. An LED’s radiant power is neither 10.Which statement about treatment of colour deficiencies monochromatic nor broadband but something between is false? the two a. There is currently no treatment for inherited colour blindness 4. Which of the following factors is the one that was used in b. Special filter lenses for medical applications completely the Australian standards and has since been adopted in absorb part of the visible spectrum European and ISO standards to address the issue of colour c. Tinted contact lenses can be used to eliminate inherited visibility? colour blindness a. X Factors b. Q Factors d. The special filter lenses that some manufacturers offer for c. P Factors d. M Factors medical applications are also known as cut-off filters b is the correct answer. Q Factors or Q quotients give a c is the correct answer. Statement a. holds true in that comparative colour visibility between tinted lenses under there is currently no treatment for inherited colour blindness controlled conditions 11.Tinted lenses are classified into 5 groups. Which of the 5. What percentage of the world’s women are born with a following categories is deemed unsuitable for driving under congenital colour deficiency? any conditions? a. 8% b. 5% a. Category 0 b. Category 4 c. 2% d. 0.5% c. Category 3 d. Category 2 d is the correct answer. Roughly one in two hundred b is the correct answer. These very dark tints, 8% LTF or less women are born colour deficient as compared with one in are so intense that they should not be worn for driving even twelve men if you accept the highest estimate in the brightest conditions
6. Which of the following conditions could also be known 12.Which of the following CIE illuminant standards is as “green weakness” intended to represent incandescent light? a. Deuteranomoly b. Tritanopia a. A b. B c. C d. D c. Protanomoly d. Protanopia a is the correct answer. Introduced in 1931, these standard a is the correct answer. This condition affects around 5% of illuminants were intended to represent (alphabetically) males as compared to 1% or less for the others incandescent light, direct sunlight, average daylight
After the closing date, the answers can be viewed on the 'CET Online' page of www.abdo.org.uk. To download, print or save your results letter, go to 'View your CET record'. If you would prefer to receive a posted results letter, contact the CET Office 01206 734155 or email [email protected] DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:15 Page 43
Diary of events
August 13 are members of the IOA. If you would dispensingoptics Sportfair 2012 Conference - CET Day, like more information regarding this trip Hilton East Midlands Airport Hotel. For contact Ros Kirk on 01189 871020 or The Professional Journal of the Association details and to book a place visit Jane Burnand on 020 7298 5102 or of British Dispensing Opticians www.sportvision.co.uk email [email protected] Volume 27 Number 8 of 12
September 13 October 16 EDITORIAL STAFF ABDO Golf Society - Stercks Martin FMO - Meeting for FMO members and Editor Sir Anthony Garrett CBE Salver competition, Henley Golf Club, their guests, Johnson & Johnson’s Assistant Editor Jane Burnand Vision Care Institute, Crowthorne, Production Editor Sheila Hope Henley-on-Thames. This event is open Email [email protected] to all dispensing opticians who have a Berkshire. Register by emailing Features and News Editor Nicky Collinson current handicap and their guests are [email protected] or call 020 7298 5123 Email [email protected] also welcome. Anyone wishing to play Administration Manager Deanne Gray Email [email protected] or if you are interested in joining the October 17 ABDO Golf Society please contact Area 3 (North West) - CET evening, at ADVERTISEMENT SALES Mike Stokes on 01204 411722 or email Hoya, 2 CET points for tour plus 2 CET Telephone 01892 667626 [email protected] points for VRICS quiz, registration from Email [email protected] 6.45pm, finger buffet, tour at 7.30pm. SUBSCRIPTIONS September 17-23 For details contact Lorraine Wallbank by UK £100 Overseas £110, including postage emailing [email protected] Apply to Tom Veti National Eye Health Week - For details ABDO, Godmersham Park, Godmersham log-on to the Vision Matters website Kent CT4 7DT www.visionmatters.org.uk October 18-19 Telephone 01227 733922 NOC 2012 - organised by AOP on Email [email protected] September 19 behalf of LOCSU and the Optical ABDO CET Area 4 (East Anglia) - CET evening. Confederation, sponsored by Topcon, CET Coordinator Paula Stevens MA ODE BSc Jennifer Brower 'Why low vision', a low there is a wide range of speakers and (Hons) MCOptom FBDO CL(Hons)AD SMC(Tech) sessions on offer, Hilton Metropole, ABDO CET, 5 Kingsford Business Centre, Layer vision visual recognition quiz and Road, Kingsford, Colchester CO2 0HT another related lecture (tbc), 4 CET Birmingham. Tickets, which include a Telephone 01206 734155 points, Holiday Inn, London Road, seat at the AOP awards dinner, are Email [email protected] Ipswich IP2 0UA. Contact Joanne available from www.locsu.co.uk Email [email protected] Abbott on 020 8989 1996 or email CONTINUING EDUCATION REVIEW PANEL [email protected] October 28 Keith Cavaye FBDO (Hons) CL FBCLA Area 2 (North East) - 4th Annual CET Andrew Cripps FBDO (Hons) PG Cert HE FHEA Day and Exhibition, 7 CET points, Kim Devlin FBDO (Hons) CL September 19 Stephen Freeman BSc (Hons) MCOptom FBDO (Hons) Cert Ed BCLA - Presidential Address, Dr Weetwood Hall Hotel, just up the road Abilene Macdonald Grute FBDO (Hons) SLD (Hons) LVA Catharine Chisholm to present ’Life in from the village at Headingley, Leeds Dip Dist Ed Cert Ed the fast lane’ contact lenses and LS16 5PS. Please register your interest Richard Harsant FBDO (Hons) CL (Hons) LVA at [email protected] to be sent Andrew Keirl BOptom (Hons) MCOptom FBDO driving’, Royal Society of Medicine, Paul McCarthy FBDO PG Cert HE FHEA London W1. For details email further updates when available Angela McNamee BSc (Hons) MCOptom [email protected] FBDO (Hons) CL FBCLA Cert Ed November 22 Edwin Moffatt FBDO Linda Rapley BSc FCOptom September 29-30 BCLA - 9th BCLA Pioneers Conference ABDO Conference and Exhibition - and evening lecture, Royal Society of JOURNAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Holiday Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon. For Medicine, London. For details visit Richard Crook FBDO sponsorship opportunities and to book www.bcla.org.uk Kim Devlin FBDO (Hons) CL Kevin Gutsell FBDO exhibition space contact the ABDO Ros Kirk FBDO Conference Office (Event Exchange November 25 Angela McNamee BSc (Hons) MCOptom Ltd) by email at rsvp@event Eyecare 3000 - London, The Queen FBDO (Hons) CL FBCLA Cert Ed exchange.co.uk or call 01225 869000. Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London. Dispensing Optics is published by Delegate booking forms are available For details visit www.eyecare3000 ABDO, 199 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LD from ABDO Membership Services on london.com or telephone 01848 332020 Dispensing Optics is printed by 01227 733902, 01227 733912 or 01227 Lavenham Press, Lavenham, Suffolk CO10 9RN 733922. November 28 © ABDO No part of this publication may be ABDO Graduation and Prize Giving reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted Ceremony - Canterbury Cathedral. in any form or by any means whatever without the October 13-15 written prior permission of the publishers Association for Independent Registration opens at 3.30pm and Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians closes at 5.30pm. Graduands should Dispensing Optics welcomes contributions for assemble in the Chapter House no possible editorial publication. However, AIO) - Annual Conference 2012, contributors warrant to the publishers that they Cotton’s Hotel, Knutsford, Cheshire. For later than 6pm and the Cathedral own all rights to illustrations, artwork or details visit www.afio.co.uk or email doors will open for guests at 6.30pm. photographs submitted and also to copy which [email protected] For details visit www.abdo.org.uk is factually accurate and does not infringe any other party’s rights October 16-20 April 13-15 2013 ISSN 0954 3201 Optrafair 2013 - FMO’s industry show, International Opticians Association Average circulation 2011: 8854 per issue - ABDO (IOA) - Convention to be held in Perth, NEC, Birmingham. For details visit Board certification Western Australia. All ABDO members www.optrafair.co.uk I
ABDO members are welcome to attend Area meetings in any area they wish www.abdo.org.uk DO August 2012_1 24/07/2012 14:15 Page 44