{ feature: OPTICIANRY’S MANY PATHS }

Where Will Opticianry Take You?

If you’re just starting out and wondering where optics and opticianry can lead, here are the stories of five opticians, told in their own words, about the varied paths they have taken

BY KARLEN MCLEAN

JIM LEWIS, LDO, ABOC, NCLC

I grew up in a fourth-generation family optical business, Harvey & Lewis Opticians, and ground my first lens when I was seven. Today, I’m president of the business that will turn 125 next year and was the site of Norman Rockwell’s “Eye Doctor” painting.

The multi-faceted aspect of a small business suited my temperament. But I needed to understand adjustments, bench work, and contact lens fitting. Most importantly I had to learn the sales process. I followed the apprentice path to licensure. I also did rotation in the office to learn the business from an accounting and technical perspective.

With the tremendous changes that occur in optical today, it’s hard to remember that things did not change much in the days before plastic.

LESSONS LEARNED
“Your optical expertise, product knowledge, and professionalism are what customers pay for. The better you do, the less attractive they will find the Internet.”

JIM KNAPP

After nearly failing a DMV eye test, I visited my local mall for new glasses. The manager mentioned they were looking for candidates to become opticians and encouraged me to apply. I was taking PDs and seg heights two weeks later. After on-the-job training by a master optician, I prepared for and passed the ABO exam.

Early in my career I worked as a floater, moving to locations as needed, enjoying the variety. Later I worked in management, regional management for a small chain, and in a private optometric practice. When a safety company rep offered me a job doing on-site safety dispensing, I set up a mobile dispensing unit for Airgas/Protective Optics. Now I maintain the company’s customer service area and get to impart my knowledge to customers and staff and teach skills to newbies.

LESSONS LEARNED
“My first mentor, a master optician, would do whatever it took. I like to think I apply that same willingness to help restore and protect vision.”

R. MICHAEL DALEY

I was aware of opticianry because my neighbor owned an optical shop. Dick Draper, an early mentor, encouraged me to study Health Optics and Opticianry at Ferris State College in Michigan.

Afterwards, I was close to graduating from Michigan State when Ferris invited me to return as an opticianry instructor, so I finished my BS while teaching there. Classroom preparation was the best foundation.

In 1976, Ernie Bahnsen, O.D., founder of Ferris’ Health Optics program, told me about a new lens: Varilux II. As the Southwest territory sales consultant, my optics background allowed me to explain how to dispense this new technology. More than anything, the training I did for ECPs and labs demanded I use my background in optics and opticianry to help make PALs (and my career) successful.

[Now retired and working with The Vision Council, Daley’s career took him from director of lab services at Varilux to president and COO of Essilor Lenses.]

LESSONS LEARNED
“You can sell more by the depth of your conviction than by all the facts at your command.”

LYNELL LOWRY, M.D.

During college, one requirement was a visual perception class. The eye was so cool and complicated, and it changed my life in two ways. First, I changed my major to biology, and second, part of the class included observing optometric practices. After observing one office, the doctor offered me a job. He asked if I could dust. I responded, ‘Yes, but I don’t do windows!’ We laughed because he meant dusting frames, a never-ending task.

I loved dispensing, but my passion grew to include patient care beyond glasses and contact lenses. Now, I own a solo ophthalmology practice, Alamo Eye Institute, in San Antonio, TX. Ophthalmology has afforded me the opportunity to be a part of my patients’ lives on a regular basis, taking care of generations of some families.

LESSONS LEARNED
A college professor said, ‘The questions never change, only the answers.’ Wisdom comes through acknowledging that we don’t have all the answers.”

TED FELTON, O.D.

When I was drafted in 1968, I could pick any Army training by enlisting for another year and chose the U.S. Army Medical Equipment and Optical School in Denver. After optical school, I was a surfacing rat at a German Medical Depot. The lab director, an optometrist, was instrumental in getting me interested in optometry.

When I went home, a local optometrist hired me to do his lab work between college classes. After graduation I chose the Illinois College of Optometry, became a commissioned officer, and was assistant instructor for the ophthalmic optics and dispensing portion of the curriculum.

After graduating, I was promoted to Captain in Medical Services. Every morning, there were 600 recruits getting screened for fitness. Those who failed got sent to the eye section. Since there was only one ophthalmologist, l was allowed to treat nearly everything I diagnosed.

I made a career of the Army, and my decision served me well. I am now retired and work part time for an ophthalmology practice.

LESSONS LEARNED
“At Fort Jackson, I did grand rounds with seven senior O.D.s every morning. I learned different ways to achieve the same outcome.”