I thought that I would offer a little advise to those of you who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses.
The next time that you go into an optical store to make a purchase, ask the person that is selling you the eye-wear what type of training and certification they have.
I am a Licensed Dispensing Optician. Did you know that there are only 21 states that require a person to be licensed to do the job that I do?
In most states, the person that cuts your hair has to be licensed by the state. In most states, the person that does your finger nails has to be licensed by the state. As far as I know, in all states, the person that embalms dead bodies has to be licensed by the state. But more than half of the states in this country require no special training or certification for the person that is fitting and dispensing eye-wear. So, why is this so important?
As a Licensed Dispensing Optician, I was required to meet certain requirements before I could take the state board examination. And, since I have passed the examination, I have been required to get a certain amount of continuing education every 2 years in order to keep my license. This allows me to keep up to date on the latest products and procedures in the eye care industry, and in turn I can provide the best service for my patients. Also, if I do things illegally or unethically, there is a state board that can take action against me.
Opticians are responsible for taking all of the proper measurements needed to order your eye-wear. Opticians are responsible for the making of eyeglasses. Opticians are responsible for inspecting the eye-wear to make sure that the prescription matches what the doctor has written, and that there are no defects in the frame or lenses. And, the optician is responsible for adjusting the eye-wear to the provide a comfortable fit for the patient. Don't you think that this person should have some kind of training, and be required to keep up to date on all of the changes that take place in the industry?
Not everyone that works at my store is licensed, and they do not have to be licensed in order to sell and dispense eye-wear. But, non-licensed optical associates are allowed to sell and dispense eye-wear only when a Licensed Dispensing Optician is present in the store.
The following is a list of the states that require dispensing opticians to be licensed: AK, AZ, AR, CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, KY, MA, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, and WA.
If you live in one of those states, ask to see the Licensed Dispensing Optician (L.D.O.) that is on duty. It is not really necessary that this person be the one helping you with your purchase, but I think that it is important for you to know that an L.D.O. is on duty to oversee the person that is helping you.
If you don't live in one of those states, be sure to ask the person that is helping you what their qualifications are. I would even suggest getting in touch with your state legislature and asking them to make the licensing of opticians in you state mandatory.
You only have one set of eyes. It's important that they are given the best care possible.