AUGUST 2013

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Opticians Handbook

Your monthly guide to staff training outside the box

Eyes / Lenses / Fitting Lenses / Free-Form / Frames / Sunwear / Patient Solutions / In-office / Standards

PATIENT SOLUTIONS

THIN SKINNED

By Zoriana N. Mangione, BA

Even if the frame is generally a good fit, there are several considerations that affect frame comfort for the nursing home population. Mature skin is extremely thin and lacks the fatty deposits in the bridge area that was once more abundant. This means that the bridge of the nose has a greater tendency to get painful red marks from bent or poorly adjusted nosepads. One would be amazed at how quickly the red marks turn into open sores or cystic formations, which can sometimes even cause blocked tear ducts. Changing smaller, hard plastic or vinyl nosepads to the soft silicone variety in the 15- to 17-mm size range are an important first step in remedying the situation. Next, the optician should pay careful attention to adjusting the nosepad angles so that they closely match the contours of the wearer's bridge.

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THE PATH TO ANTI-FOG LENSES

By Barry Santini, ABOM

An anti-fog treatment contains hydrophilic ingredients, that is, "water-loving" ingredients. They want to absorb water and spread it evenly over a coated surface. It keeps water droplets from becoming big enough to be visible or in other words, big enough to be seen as fog. This is exactly the opposite of what you've learned for the hydrophobic surfaces of premium AR lenses and the way that they've been described as easy cleaning. But it's possible to have both.

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Opticians Handbook


VISUAL FATIGUE SYNDROME SOLUTIONS

Less than 5 percent of Americans today wear eyeglasses to relieve vision problems at a computer, despite significant regular computer use by over 75 percent of the population, according to The Vision Council's VisionWatch. "Computer" lenses have been on the market for more than 15 years, yet they have only achieved limited success.

The vast majority of the computer-using population is simply not aware of possible solutions and therefore not receiving appropriate diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the lenses available may require a power conversion before the lab can process them. Errors happen when the ECP or the lab assumes conversion by the other. Powers are incorrect, costs are incurred for redos and the patient has to wait for the remake.

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LENS CARE:
It's as simple as...

1

WHY

Lens care is important

2

WHAT

Not to do and
what to do

3

WHICH

Cleaning method best suits your needs

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REMAIN THE "VISION EXPERT"

If you would like to offer a service to your patient that is not commonly available online, there are some products that allow you to customize the prescription to a patient's exact needs rather than getting them a product that results in compromised vision. Companies like Ducal Corp. offer swim goggles that are fully Rxable. The SwimSpec goggle from Ducal Corp. is unique in that it contains an underlying goggle with an Rx attachment that can be glazed with full prescription lenses. What makes this product special is that it allows correction for those who require prism. Lenses can be edged in any finishing lab, or Ducal Corp. can put you in touch with a lab they use.

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Temple Fitting Hints for Wearers
of Hearing Aids and Oxygen Tubes

By Zoriana N. Mangione, BA

  • The eyeglass temple should fit between the hearing aid and the wearer's temple.
  • With the eyeglasses on and the hearing aid in place, ensure that the top of the patient's ear is not being pushed out and away from the wearer's head.
  • Behind the ears, the temples should hug the head snugly along the entire length of the temple with no gaps.
  • Reposition the oxygen tube so that it is cradled between the temple and the hearing aid.

Opticians Handbook

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