AN OPTOMETRIC VISIT to JAPAN Morton K
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ARTICLE MORTON K. GREENSPOON, OD AN OPTOMETRIC VISIT TO JAPAN Morton K. Greenspoon, OD In Tokyo I met two of Japan’s most Calabasas, CA outstanding men in the optometric [email protected] field, Mr. Riichi Iwasaki, president of the Japanese Optical Consultants This article is reprinted from the Association, and Dr. Thomas T. November 24, 1966 issue of Optometric Mitsuura, Optometric educator and Far Weekly (pages 21-22) at the suggestion East representative for the American of its author, Morton Greenspoon, who Optical Co. recommended it for its historical value. First, I think it is important to explain While lecturing on contact lenses at the status of optometry in Japan. There the 1966 convention of the California is no such thing as an optometrist. Optometric Association at Los Angeles, There are opticians and refracting I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. opticians. There is no law controlling Kyoichi Tanaka of the Toyo Contact the vision care professions. Out of Lens Co. of Nagoya, Japan. We about 12,000 opticians, approximately conversed extensively on the subject 1,000 refract. They learn refraction of contact lens fitting through his through an apprenticeship program Morton K. Greenspoon, OD, October 1967 interpreter and business manager, Mr. and courses given at various times Hiroshi Kaneko. During the course of under the auspices of the Optical the conversation, Mr. Tanaka asked if I Consultants Association. would like to come to Japan to consult While I was in Tokyo I attended a with his staff at their contact lens clinic course given at the Science Institute in Nagoya. I accepted the invitation by Dr. Matsuura. Tom Matsuura is a and so began one of the most unique fascinating person. Born in Japan and interesting experiences of my but raised in Portland, Oregon, he optometric career. received his optometric education To the westerner, Japan is different. at Northern Illinois College of Traffic travels on the left side of the Optometry. Following World War II he road. Men bow to each other instead became invaluable to the U.S. Army of shaking hands. The greeting upon as a refractionist at various hospitals answering the telephone is, “mushy, in Japan. I spent the better part of mushy” which means, “I am talking to a day and evening discussing all you.” Japan is a beautiful country, and facets of optometry with him. One its transportation the finest I have ever of the most interesting things we seen. If the people like you, they can discussed was his invention which be very warm and hospitable; if they he has named the Auto-Cross. The don’t like you they can be very formal Auto-Cross is exactly what the name and aloof. implies, an automatic version of the classic Jackson Cross Cylinder Test for Our first short stopover on the flight astigmatism. It completely eliminates from Los Angeles was Honolulu, then the need for flipping cylinders by on to Wake Island to refuel. Fourteen displaying before the patient both hours later we skimmed low over choices simultaneously. By the use the waters of Tokyo Bay as we made of two simple adjustments on the our approach to Haneda Airport. Our instrument, which attaches to a passports were found in order, and we standard phoroptor, the cylinder axis were whisked away to the Okura Hotel. is turned until both images appear HINDSIGHT: Journal of Optometry History 9 ARTICLE MORTON K. GREENSPOON, OD equal, then cylindrical power is added arrived at Nagoya, the contact lens American money. or subtracted until both images capital of Japan. It is the home of the From the point of view of a U.S. appear equal. I have been using this Toyo Contact Lens Co., Japan’s largest contact lens fitter I thought the instrument to great advantage in contact lens firm. The company was manufacture and quality of the stock my practice since my return. I find it founded by young, dynamic Kyoichi lenses was quite good. However, the much more accurate and less time Tanaka. His interest in contact lenses fitting procedure was quite hasty. The consuming than the standard J.C.C. was kindled by Dr. William Bayshore lack of follow-up of the patient made test. whom he met while working as a me feel uncomfortable. Legally, there Mr. Riichi Iwasaki is one of the most technician at an Army Hospital. The are several factors to be considered. successful refracting opticians in company is a completely integrated Under Japanese civil law the fitter Japan. He maintains two offices. His operation. In the two new four-story has no responsibility. There is no such consulting offices are upstairs across buildings in the industrial section thing as a malpractice suit. This is the hall from an ophthalmologist from of Nagoya they produce everything why a fitter in Japan can afford to do whom he receives referrals for contact from the raw plastic bar stock to a mass production job at a low fee. lenses and refractions. His other office the finished lenses, accessories and Some fitters are conscientious and do is downstairs in the busy Ginza area solutions, They maintain their own an adequate job. I did notice many of Tokyo where he both refracts and clinics throughout the major cities of people walking the streets of Japan dispenses to the general public. His Japan staffed by ophthalmologists, with gauze eye patches over one eye. offices, like most offices in Japan, are refracting opticians and technicians. These are the bad jobs. equipped with the finest refracting The time I spent discussing What is needed in Japan is instruments from around the world. procedure with their staff at their an optometry law providing for Represented are: Bausch & Lomb, largest contact lens clinic on the 4th the education, examination and American Optical, Zeiss, Takata Optical, floor of the Mainichi Building was certification of practitioners in the Nikon, Tokyo Optical Co., and several most interesting. The procedure is field. The economic facts of life have Italian optical firms. Extensive use of briefly this. The patient is refracted motivated that Japanese Medical the Polatest is made. Several devices and keratometer readings are taken. Association to oppose any such law. were used to obtain a binocular Trial lenses are used to determine the With so many people wearing glasses peripheral field with a monocular fit in conjunction with the fluorescein in Japan the people are not getting central field. The refractionists rarely pattern. The patient is refracted the quality of visual care that would be use a retinoscope. Instead they employ through the trial lenses to determine possible with the proper training and a refractometer to great advantage. I the proper Rx. The proper specification certification of refractionists. spent two very informative days with lens is then taken from stock. The Mr. Iwasaki. He is a traditional Japanese average size is 8.8 mm, although The situation must improve. There gentleman with a modern outlook. other sizes are stocked. Once the fit are a few dedicated Japanese who are In search of optometric education he and power are verified, the patient is making a great effort to upgrade the has traveled to conventions in England turned over to a technician for a short quality of visual care in Japan. Let us and the USA. He is an honorary but intensive course in insertion and hope they will be successful. member of the AOA. I was his guest removal of the lenses. The patient is at the Japanese Art Museum, as well then dismissed. Many times the entire as at a traditional Japanese dinner at a procedure is accomplished over the Ryokan. He was a charming host. course of a few hours. Follow up visits After a sightseeing trip through are provided if the patient feels that the Lake Hakone and Mt. Fuji area we they are necessary. All this for $30 in 10 Volume 49, Number 1, January 2018.