I remember this doodle as if it were 14 years and 16 days ago… I faxed it to my wife-to-be (now my wife-who-is) from work during my break from the madness that is being an optician. The fellow in the middle of the complainers was a rough cariciature of myself, (I did and do actually have a LITTLE more hair than that… really!) counting down the days until I would have a vacation for my wedding and honeymoon, all those years ago. If the cartoon above doesn’t give you a good idea of the life of an optician, the piece below, also written years and years ago, may help. Ahhh, those were the days.
REGARDING BEING AN OPTICIAN
It seems natural that I should become an optician, and I enjoy it. I have been wearing eyeglasses since age 6. Not constantly, though; I occasionally took them off for showering and sleeping.
Now, I assist the far-sighted, near-sighted, and anything but clear-sighted in the selection and adjustment of their spectacles. I assure the patient that if I cannot make the eyeglass frames fit their head, I will make their head fit the frames.
Occasionally, I have the challenging task of troubleshooting eyeglass problems. When a patient cannot see clearly out of their new prescription, I must determine the reason, and how best to solve the problem. This involves a careful inspection of the lenses, and good communication with the patient. I have learned from experience that the problem is almost always with the patient’s left lens. After all, left lenses are never right.
Repairing and adjusting spectacles is another part of my job as an optician. Often, I face people that have mangled their eyeglasses by sitting on them. With a little patience and dexterity, I can usually return the glasses to a wearable condition. I then let the patient go, with the important reminder that spectacles are made to fit the head, not the rear end.
Being a good optician is dependent on listening to the patient’s needs, and using one’s knowledge and experience to best fit those needs. For instance, I once had a patient request an inexpensive spare set of glasses “for mowing his lawn.” He was pleased with my suggestion that he might have much more success using a lawn mower.
My job as optician involves many various tasks and challenges. The greatest reward comes from sending away another satisfied customer; who looks better, feels better, and like it or not, sees the world a little more clearly.
END
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