Refracting Optician's - The Future?

[drjoeross]

Good?  Bad?  How will it affect your future?   I interviewed a "refracting optician'  who applied for an Opticians job at my office a year ago.  He apologized for having no lab experience or benchwork training of significance.  I did not need a refractionist but Scott Edmonds saw the opportunity (see below).  What is the future for optometry?  How many docs will a LensCrafters need to do exams if they can hire refractionists?   Something to think about.................................................


This is from the Listing of Practitioners On Scott Edmond's Website In Pennsylvania.

Renee M. Harlow, FNAO, HFOAA




EDUCATION:

Refractometry Certification- Opticians Association of America

May, 1979

The Pennsylvania State University
State College, Pennsylvania
B.S., Environmental Resource Management/Biology
May, 1984

New England College of Optometry
Boston, Massachusetts
Opticianry Licensing/Certification Program
June, 1998

Opticians Association of America
Fairfax, Virginia
100 Hour Refractometry Program
LICENSURE

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Commonwealth of Georgia
The American Board of Opticianry
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

April, 1980-August, 1985

Cambridge Eye Associates
Framingham, Massachusetts
Optician/District Manager
November 1985-February, 1987

Opti-World, Inc.
Norcross, Georgia
Optician/Assistant Manager
August 1988-1989

Lenscrafters, Inc.
King of Prussia, PA
Optician/Assistant Manager
August 1989-

Edmonds & Associates
Lankenau Hospital
Wynnewood, PA 19096
Great Valley Eye Associates
Frazer, PA 19355
Optician


MEMBERSHIPS

Fellow, National Academy of Opticianry
Honored Fellow, Opticians Association of America
Opticians Association of Georgia