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Without accurate optical measurements, your eyeglass lenses cannot be correctly made for your prescription strength.

We always cringe a little (okay – honestly – we cringe a lot) when we see optical websites stating that they can provide quality prescription eyeglass services via a totally online experience. The websites advise patients to take their own optical measurements, such as the pupillary distance (PD), using a magnifying mirror and a ruler. Then comes the first warning, they say that if your head moves or the ruler moves, you won’t get an accurate measurement and then in small print at the bottom of the website page, you can read the final warning:

“Please note that when you measure your own PD by using these techniques you may not get the same result as an experienced professional. We recommend that you use the measurements taken by an optometrist or an optical dispenser whenever possible.”

It seems that we’re not the only ones in our field concerned about these discount online optical retailers…

We read with interest a story in the November 2011, issue of “Optometric Management” that stated that almost half (44.8%) of online-ordered prescription eyeglasses were “deficient” according to a study done by “Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association.” The researchers concluded that:

“. . . Spectacle eyewear ordered without the benefit of a dispensing process can come with significant risk of error in providing the correct type of lenses needed or ordered, the optical parameters that are within acceptable tolerances and the physical parameters that provide sufficient protection to the wearer.”

What the researchers did was order online 200 pairs of adult and children’s prescription eyeglasses from the most popular online vendors. After testing the prescription eyewear received, they found:

• one in every five eyeglasses had lens treatments that were added or omitted
• one in every five had lenses with incorrect optical parameters
• more than one in every five pairs of eyeglasses had lenses that did not correctly pass testing for impact

The study noted that patients who purchase eyewear without the assistance of trained optical professionals may not receive lenses that perform to industry standards for safety and vision correction; and they do not receive the benefit of a trained dispensing optician ensuring an accurate prescription and proper fit of their eyeglasses. So online buyers beware!

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Andrew Losinger

In 1967, the editors of Tiger Beat magazine devised a set of questions for the Monkees. Now SPECS OPTICAL puts them to our staff member Andrew Losinger.

1. How would your mother describe you in one word? OVERDRAMATIC.

2. What is your favorite flower? GOLD MEDAL ALL-PURPOSE BLEACHED.

3. What is the most insane question you’ve ever been asked? “WHAT IS THAT MOVIE ‘ON TWO SCREENS’ ABOUT ?”

4. What word in the English language do you wish you had invented? BROUHAHA

5. Where would you like to live? IN A PINEAPPLE UNDER THE SEA.

6. What is the first quote that comes to your mind? “SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A NUT, SOMETIMES YOU DON’T.”

7. What animal best describes the kind of girl (or boy) you’d be interested in? A LAUGHING HYENA. THEY ALWAYS LOOK LIKE THEY’RE SMILING.

8. What do you miss about your childhood? LIVING WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD.

9. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? CHARLES ZINCHARGE.

10. What is the main fault in your character? OVER-THINKING TO THE POINT OF EXHAUSTION.

11. Who is your favorite historical figure? MARIE ANTOINETTE – SHE LETS ME EAT CAKE.

12. Describe how you kiss in one word. FOCUSED.

13. If you met the right girl (right boy) today, would you propose tomorrow? PROBABLY NOT, MAYBE, I DON’T KNOW. WAIT…IT’S NOT EVEN LEGAL HERE, SO NO.

14. What in the world do you least desire? IMPATIENCE…OH, AND CROCS, UGH!

15. Why do you think most girls (most boys) date you? I’VE BEEN TOLD I HAVE A QUIET CONFIDENCE, AND MY SENSE OF HUMOR ( NOT-SO-QUIET).

16. Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…” THE GRANDE MINT MOCHA.

Visit SPECS OPTICAL on Facebook to share your questionnaire answers.

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