VisionPlus India

Early diagnosis of retinal abnormalities can actually prevent blindness. And for clinical practice one can make it really sound with a full time appointed optometrist (Minimum 4 years of bachelor of Clinical Optomtery) in their optical store. After clinical support, a proper trained staff, who can relate clinical findings, plays a key role in dispensing frames or sunglasses. We highly recommend to have digital data of centration (IPD, NPD, Frame size, Fitting Height, Tilt, etc.) even prior to ordering any ophthalmic lens for specific frames. In-house patternless edging/ glazing unit adds fragrance in the quality of final finished spectacle/sunglasses(Rx). I still believe that in spite of having all of the above, I should upgrade clinical practice more by adding instruments like perimeter and vision therapy instruments and very advanced digital facial/frame measurement devices. Constant upgradation is strongly required in today's practice. To further improve and impress the end users confidence that the spectacles being made at this store are more personalised and one should have the I-terminal 2 or VISUFIT 1000 with the optician being able to explain the benefits of the measurements being taken by these advanced instruments. Looking at the Optometry clinic aspect, every optometrist should perform a comprehensive eye examination which includes, vision, refraction, ocular motility, slit lamp examination, measuring intra-ocular pressure and fundus examination. These are minimal procedures to complete a comprehensive eye examination. An optometry clinic should definitely have a good slit lamp. We do have Indian companies that supply us good slit lamps such as Jaggi, Appaswamy to name a few. However, one can invest in such equipment and as practice builds then reinvest profit into the practice by upgrading the equipment. One should also have access to equipment for measuring intra-ocular pressure and viewing the fundus. Direct ophthalmoscope has not become a thing of the past and more advanced fundus imaging are available at low cost where one can use one’s own phone coupled with an equipment for the same. Depending on the area of specialisation one can invest in a fundus camera, a topographer ( for contact lens practice), an applanation tonometer, an A-scan (myopia control), visual field analyser (Glaucoma clinic) and so on. One can also invest in low vision aids if the optometry clinic wants to specialise in the same, or on Vision therapy devices and programs for home therapy. We believe equipment plays a primary role in an optician's practice. What we believe is primarily everyone should have an Auto Refractometer and Phoropter to derive a very very accurate end point of refraction with a digital screening chart provided it includes all kinds of vision screening chart. Adding a keratometer along with a slit lamp would be very good clinical practice for contact lenses and other primary eye check up. We also believe Non Contact tono cum pachymeter helps in ruling out glaucoma at very very primary stage and early diagnosed can be treated very well. Non Mediatric fundus camera is a very helpful tool in screening retina in patients with certain conditions like diabetes and hypertension. THE BEST WAY TO GO AHEAD AND PAVE THE PATH IS THROUGH INVESTING IN EQUIPMENT AND PROFESSIONALS THAT CAN MAKE BEST USE OF THE SAME 88 VISION PLUS INDIA EDITION