The ADOA Report Feb 2012

The continuing education program will continue to be the mainstay of our activities in 2012, and we have another great program organised for this year. We would like to encourage all members and practice staff to attend. The evenings are very informative and great for networking as well. While you’ll find more on upcoming events in the next issue of mivision, here are some reminders of ongoing professional development opportunities.

NSW Dispensing Scholarships

With the demise of the Optical Dispensers Licensing Board in NSW, a substantial trust fund has been established for the education of optical dispensers in that State. If you are considering taking on a dispensing trainee, it is important to consider the new recruit for a scholarship. All enquiries can be made to Ted Butler on ebutler@stewartbrown.com.au

ADOA Diploma in Practice Management

Are you a qualified optical dispenser who wants to upgrade your qualifications by undertaking a Diploma in Ophthalmic Practice Management? ADOA NSW, along with the Open Training and Education Network (OTEN), offers the course to those wishing to take  a managerial role within their practice. There are seven modules, all of which are compulsory. For more information, contact the OTEN optical department at oten.optical@tafensw.edu.au or phone (AUS) 02 9715 8735 between 8:30am-5:00pm AEST, Monday – Friday.

Opinion: Ordering Skills

It takes quite a bit of knowledge to order ophthalmic lenses consistently without mistakes or errors occurring, and I’m not just talking about typos. Only with great diligence and knowledge can an optical dispenser hone in on likely problems before they happen and head them off at the pass.

One of the areas where I see so many mistakes made is in the area of base curve selection (or non selection, more to the point). In particular, ordering lenses for rimless mounts can present many challenges. The reason is that many modern rimless are made of very stiff and un-adjustable materials such as cast titanium. Where the dummy lens has been created on a five dioptre curve in order for the sides to sit at a nice usable angle, the consequences of putting a lens with a two dioptre front curve in the same mount can make the temple width too wide, which can render the completed spectacles unusable. Conversely, an eight dioptre front in the same mount would make them too narrow. The message is that we all need to assess every frame and inform the laboratory what curve is required, particularly if the lenses are ordered remotely.

So often I see mistakes made because the dispenser has not taken the care to inform the lab of the specific requirements – yet the lab gets the blame because the job ends up less than adequate. Dispensers need to take responsibility for what they order and how they order by ensuring all the necessary details are provided and not leaving anything to chance!

AGM

ADOA Victoria had its Annual General Meeting on 15 November. The current board was re-elected unopposed with the exception of one member who did not re-nominate. I would like to thank those who have been able to continue for their enthusiasm for the profession of optical dispensing.

The board is composed of the following members:

President: Murray O'Brien (Designed Eyes)

Vice President: Melinda Eddington (Transitions Optical)

Secretariat: Don Blanksby

Treasurer: Scott Renfree (Optical Superstore)

Lauren Turner (Warragul Optical)

Stuart Turner (Warragul Optical)

David Vienet (Strachan Optometrists)

Peter Rundle (Whitehorse Optical)

Murray O’Brien is the president of ADOA Victoria and writes the ADOA report on behalf of all ADOA State divisions. He is the Company Principal of Designed Eyes, an optical practice in Rosebud, Victoria.