How about a few words from somebody who’s been around a while. I’ve seen many changes, in the world in general AND in the optical field. Some have been good, and some are ones I wish never happened. Oh, for the days when you did not need a $1,000 handheld device to stay in touch. You could sit down with family or friends and have a conversation without interruptions from phone calls, texting or children playing games on high-tech devices.

I guess I could go on about this but my real purpose is to find out what has happened to the optical profession as I knew it, and what it meant to me in the past and what it means today.

In the not-too-distant past, the Ophthalmic Dispenser was a professionally licensed individual with distinction in the medical field, held in high regard. The doctor’s patient and the doctor came to you for consultation on the means to deliver the patient the best possible vision. There was no dispensing via the doctor, and the dispenser’s opinion was always respected. Big business did not try to control optical and do away with the mom-and-pop operations, and profit was not the motivating force behind patient care.

Education was the key to success in the profession even though optical schools per say did not exist yet. Knowledge was shared, and the ophthalmic dispenser trained the novice coming into the field with the goal of being the best at what they did.

So… What Happened? Yes, we have schools (good schools!) teaching the theoretical part of education and even some of the practical, but nothing… NOTHING replaces the knowledge learned from your peers or seasoned ophthalmic dispensers who have been there, done that. Yes, we have continuing education, which is a required means of retaining our license. Yes, we can go online to obtain these credits, but that is not enough to be the best ophthalmic dispenser or give the proper care.

What do we need? In the OLD days, we would look to our optical organizations for the needed education and knowledge. With monthly meetings we would share our optical experiences, cement old friendships and make some new ones. I miss it, and I am sure others do as well.

This brings us to the crux of this missive. We have the means to make this a better experience. Professional organizations deliver the latest and best education and legislation news. But such organizations also bring the best optical people together sharing the latest techniques and tricks to make your profession the best for you. And… as with our tasked profession it happens… face to face.

• Peter Bacotti, LDO
Former President, Opticians Alliance, NY