What do you think the future holds for independent dispensaries?

I do believe that if you have the experience and license/certification requirements, you should definitely be allowed to open your own optical dispensary. Take a look at radiology/medical technicians, physical therapists and nursing jobs that have independent companies. So why not the Optician field? Opticians cannot fill an eyewear or contact lens order without the aid of a doctor's Rx, so networking with local doctors is what will make or break you. Producing a successful business and marketing yourself against the competition - even with excellent customer service - well that's a whole different conversation.

Should Opticians be allowed to expand their scope of practice if educational levels are 
increased?

I must agree, with mixed emotion, as this is still a very controversial topic. My concern is Refracting Opticians/dispensaries. I am aware there are many excellent Opticians and Medical Technicians out there currently refracting under a doctor’s supervision and could be very successful independently. I myself am looking into a refracting course next year. 

If unregulated, I fear that if patients begin going to an Optician for refraction and eyewear only, a serious medical condition could be overlooked. We all know that early detection is crucial. Patients don't always realize that medical conditions like diabetes, tumors, stroke, MS, glaucoma, etc. can be detected in a thorough eye exam. There are plenty of eye sub-specialties in this field that doctors recommend, so why not a referral to a Refracting Optician/Technician after the initial exam? 

Remember, you will need to prove your ability to the local doctors first. The benefit for doctors to outsource the routines means they can focus on medical; but if you do poorly, you are wasting everyone's time and money. You can bet you'll lose all your referrals. Simply, I believe success comes from the team effort of doctors and Opticians working together for the needs of the patient, in the same or separate offices. I firmly believe education, training and licensing are extremely important and should be mandated, if approved.

How is the economic downturn affecting your practice?

I don't feel the current economic downturn has affected the business that much. Our volume is holding its own, but I can say premium upgrades are a harder sell and have dropped slightly. People still need eyewear to see and a doctor to take care of their eyes. Patients who need a routine exam, have a medical condition, an unexpected injury or just to replace lost or broken glasses are plenty to keep any practice busy in a big city. I find that patients also like having all their needs met in one office. Smart business sense for tough times I think. Now, for the local economy as a whole, all I can say is our incoming resumes have at least tripled.

How has co-managed care with LASIK and Cataract Surgery affected your practice?

Well, I have the benefit of working for an excellent Ophthalmologist who does both Lasik and Cataract Surgery and really cares about his patient's needs. Seeing the patient through each step of the process is very satisfying. I am able to build a rapport with them long before they need me. When it is time for their eyewear, I believe they are at ease through the selection process, knowing I am there as an extension of their continued care; whether it's 1-month Post Operative Cataract Surgery or adjusting their sunglasses at the annual Lasik follow up.

What is your method for deciding which frame suits a particular patient?

My method is quite simple. First and foremost are the prescription and patient’s measurements, PD, etc. Then we can choose the proper size, shape and colors that compliment the patient and their Rx. An Optician's biggest obstacle is when we have to explain why some strong prescriptions will not work well with some frames, or when a patient has picked out a wrong size. Be courteous, keep it simple and your patient will come around. Which is a good formula for repeat business and referrals.