Optician India

Welcome to question of the day #398

How can I make sure that people have the best possible glasses even if there is no change in the strength of their lenses?

Here’s what I do. I start the process of recommending new glasses before and during the history and symptom-taking. When the person has sat down in the consulting room chair I ask to look at their glasses if they have them. If they don’t have glasses and they are a new patient I ask if they normally wear glasses. If they do I ask what condition they are in. If they do have glasses I look for scratches on the lenses, any faults with the hinges, and any damage to the frame. If the glasses are damaged I say things like:

If the lenses are scratched I say: ‘Your lenses are scratched and the scratches could be interfering with your eyesight. I can help fix this with some new glasses.’

If the frame is damaged I say: ‘Your frame is likely to break soon. I can fix that with some new glasses.’

Or: ‘This lens is about to fall out’. I can fix that with some new glasses.’

Or: Your frames are bent and that reduces your vision. I can fix that with new glasses.’

So when we get to the end of the examination and the prescription has not changed I can refer back to my earlier comments.

Your lens strength hasn’t changed so that shows good stability but as I said earlier your lenses/frames are…and I can help fix that with new glasses.’

There are many reasons for recommending new glasses and a change in prescription is only one of those.