A Career in Optics

This week is Mahurangi College’s annual Careers night. We are always keen to talk to young people about different careers in optics.

We share information about both working as Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians. Interested? Read on.

OPTOMETRIST

Do you like biology, physics and maths? Do you want to help people? Becoming an Optometrist may be the career for you.

What is an Optometrist?

An eye professional who examines eyes to help fix vision problems e.g. prescribing glasses or fitting contact lenses. An optometrist also diagnoses and manages eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts. Optometrists also remove eyelashes, treat eye infections and remove foreign bodies in the eyes!

How do I become an Optometrist?

You need a Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom) from the University of Auckland. Your first year is in the Bachelor of Science degree doing the biomedical science specialisation (like first year students doing medicine). Then you apply for the Bachelor of Optometry degree. Candidates are selected for interviews based on grades, and places offered based on grades & interview. B Optom degree takes 4 further years. Once you have a BOptom you are a fully qualified optometrist (no internship required).

Is optometry all just glasses?

No.  Although prescribing glasses is part of an optometrist’s role, there are multiple specialisations including paediatrics, low vision, behavioural optometry (working with children with learning difficulties and patients with head injuries), sports optometry, hospital optometry and contact lenses.

Do I have to do surgery?

No, optometrists are not medically trained and don’t do surgery. A person who needs eye surgery is referred  to an eye specialist (called an ophthalmologist). Optometrists can treat many other eye conditions with prescription medications. 

What are the job prospects like?

Good. Most graduates succeed in getting a job after university. The population is aging so there is  a greater need for glasses and more eye disease. With a BOptom you can work in New Zealand and Australia.

What is the work/life balance like as an optometrist?

Very good. Regular office hours and the freedom to choose where to live and work.

Qualities of a good optometrist:

Accurate, eye for detail, good communicator, friendly and loves meeting new people, ability to think on your feet, problem solving

DISPENSING OPTICIAN

Are you doing Level 2 Maths? 

Do you want to help people? Are you interested in getting a qualification while you work? Find out about becoming a Dispensing Optician. 

What is a Dispensing Optician?

Dispensing Opticians (DO’s) interpret prescriptions from optometrists and ophthalmologists (eye specialists) for glasses or contact lenses, help people find suitable frames and lens systems, and fit and assemble glasses. DOs are qualified and registered Healthcare Practitioners.

DO’s need up-to-date knowledge of frames and lenses. Technology is constantly changing and new developments are improving what is possible  with frame and lenses.

How do I become an DO?

DO’s train on the job, completing a correspondence course with Open Training and Education Network (OTEN) through TAFE NSW, Australia. Training also includes several block courses (usually held in New Zealand). To achieve the qualification students must have completed 100 hours of work as well.

Where do DO’s work?

DO’s own and operate their own businesses, or work for optometrists or corporate optical outlets. 

Qualities of a good DO

Accurate, eye for detail, good communicator, friendly and loves meeting new people, enjoys teamwork, problem solver. 

Want to know more?

Contact us if you would like to find out more about this career choice. We are happy to offer work experience visits. We can help you find training opportunities if you think a career in Optics is appealing.

You are invited to Glaucoma NZ Symposium - 15 August 2021

Glaucoma New Zealand - Annual Symposium Sunday 15 August 2021 9am-11.30am, in the Great Northern Room at Ellerslie Racecourse.

Glaucoma is often referred to as the ‘thief of sight’ because the most common form of glaucoma has no symptoms. The damage to the optic nerve happens over time and is irreversible.

The symposium is a chance for people living with glaucoma, and their families and/or caregivers, to access information and valuable insights regarding living with and managing the disease.

This is a unique opportunity to access the expertise as the meeting will be lead by Ophthalmologist and Glaucoma Specialists Dr Jim Stewart, Dr Hussain Patel and Dr Divya Patel.

Topics include: Treatment & Surgery in Glaucoma, Lifestyle Factors, Types of Glaucoma, The latest Glaucoma Research.

For more Information:

info@glaucoma.org.nz

Website: Glaucoma New Zealand

Registration for the Event

Phone number: 0800 452 826 (0800 GLAUCOMA)

Sally Adams Behavioural Optometrist - a profile

Behavioural optometrists understand that Vision is much more than the size of letters seen on a chart. Seeing “20/20” is no guarantee of comfortable, effortless, visual perception. Vision is a dynamic process, integrated with the rest of our senses and body. Vision encompasses how we interpret what we see and how we direct our actions in response to these inputs from throughout our body.

When a child or adult has poor focus ability, eye teaming or eye movements, vision becomes uncomfortable, possibly blurred or even double. This reduces attention for learning, driving, working or sporting activities.  Some of these deficits may be evident from an early age, such as amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (eyes misaligned). Or difficulties may become apparent in the early to mid primary school years as text becomes smaller and more demanding. Adults may develop binocular vision difficulties following a stroke or brain injury, or eye teaming problems may emerge as our focusing system wanes beyond our forties.

Recent research shows vision training has effects not just on eye muscles, but also throughout the visual pathways of the brain. Modern forms of amblyopia treatment are being developed based on the evolving understanding of neuroplasticity.

I often see young children and teenagers as well as adults who have developed visual discomfort, blur or double vision due to visual skill dysfunctions. With in-depth Binocular Vision Assessment, I can explore how their vision process responds when the visual system is placed under stress, highlighting areas of weakness or maladaptation. An individualized, age-appropriate Vision Therapy program is designed to address their needs. A primary aim in Office and Home Vision Therapy sessions is to have a sense of curiosity about how your visual system works and how you can change it. Each vision activity provides an opportunity to discover using your vision in a more efficient, effective way.

An Aperture Rule is used to work on eye teaming skills

Working with children and parents, who become  “home vision therapists”, is both challenging and rewarding for everyone involved. Daily home practice develops and consolidates vision skills. We meet fortnightly to review progress and go through activities that require specialised equipment or guidance not suitable for home practice. New activities are introduced as vision skills develop. As well as improved visual function, comfort and clarity, I often see self-confidence increase.

As we learn more about neuroplasticity, and new delivery methods are developed, Vision Therapy is becoming more widely recognised as an exciting vision treatment for all ages.

I have spent the past six years furthering my Vision Therapy skills and knowledge through ACBO (Australasian College of Behavioural Optometry https://www.acbo.org.au/ ) and OEP (Optometric Extension Program https://www.oepf.org/ ). You may like to visit these websites to learn more about Behavioural Optometry (also known as Developmental Optometry).

Book an Appointment Online

or call us on 09 425 9646

New Font Easier to Read

A new typeface – greater legibility and readability for low vision readers

Would you like to make things easier to read? There is a new typeface, designed to be more legible, available for free.

Atkinson Hyperlegible font is named after Braille Institute founder, J. Robert Atkinson.  What makes it different from traditional typography design is that it focuses on letterform distinction to increase character recognition, ultimately improving readability.  The Braille institute is making this free for anyone to use!

This is designed for people with low vision, but it will make it easier for everyone. Check out this link.

Winner of Fast Company’s 2019
Innovation By Design Award.

Is your child struggling because of vision problems? A checklist.

Do you have concerns about your child's eyes, vision, or learning? This checklist will help with your observations. 

Look out for these signs
□ Red or watery eyes
□ Red or crusted eyelids
□ Frequent styes on lids
□ One eye that turns in or out at times

Does your child complain of
□ Headaches with reading or writing
□ Burning or itchy eyes
□ Print blurs or double vision
□ Words move or “swim” on the page

When reading does your child
□ Hold their book close to their eyes
□ Lose place often or needs a finger to
   keep place
□ Re-read or skip lines or words
□ Confuse similar words
□ Have a short attention span

When writing does your child
□ Have untidy writing
□ Use their hand or finger to space writing
□ Repeat letters within words
□ Skip letters, numbers or words
□ Reverse letters, words or numbers
□ Squint, close or covers one eye
□ Tilt their head
□ Have their face close to desk / screen

Other problems
□ Must feel / touch things to understand
□ Often confuses right and left sides
□ Difficulty with similarities & differences
□ Blinks, squints, rubs eyes often

If your child is showing any of these signs, or you have other concerns about your child's vision or eyes, book a Behavioural Vision Assessment with Sally Adams.  

(Please bring this checklist with you to the appointment to help Sally with her assessment.) 
 

Book an Appointment Online

or call us on 09 425 9646

Eyelid Hygiene Options

Blepharitis is a term many people are familiar with. It is a condition which causes chronic inflammation at the base of the eye lashes. The signs are often not easily seen, but examination with a microscope reveals crusting and scaling at the base of the lashes. This build up in turn can harbour low grade infections, and generally will cause irritation to the eyes and lids.

The good news it is easily treated with routine eyelid hygiene. Previously a common recommendation was bathing the eyelids with diluted baby shampoo. Recent studies have suggested the shampoo can actually aggravate blepharitis. Instead we recommend wipes or gels and foams designed specifically for the eyelid. A number of the treatments include tea tree oil in the ingredients - this is very helpful in most cases.

If you are starting treatment we recommend daily lid hygiene for at least 10 days, then reduce to three times per week for maintenance. Remember blepharitis in most cases is chronic so you should be prepared to building lid hygiene into you everyday routine. It is not uncommon for eyelids to become irritated when you first begin treatment - this should settle as the blepharitis comes under control. Here is an outline of the available treatments.

Lid wipes - these are convenient and come either in individual sachets, or a tub. Use one wipe each time, dedicate a fresh side to each eye lid.

Foam/gel cleaners - can be used in the shower. You are aiming to massage gently into the base of the eyelids, imagine shampooing the eyelashes. Rinse well or wipe off with a flannel.