Complaints....please

If you ever get bad service, bad products or are overall unhappy about your experience with any business, complain.

A reasonable complaint is like gold for any business, it shapes the business and gives it concrete directions on what needs to change or how individuals can better address each situation.

Compliments are always great, it lets all of us know that we are doing what needs to be done, but it doesn't really give much actual direction. If one out of 10 patients/customers says we are doing an amazing job, but 2 out of those 10 are unhappy, we will think everything is going great and continue along the same path.

So please, be reasonable, be respectful, please complain. Let us all know how we can better serve you, and give you the products you would like.

Your vision "insurance" is terrible...

It is, regardless of the company or how great they make it sound to you, it is all terrible. It is a decent discount plan, and should be explained to you that way also. Most of the time it drives me crazy, and makes me feel bad for my patients when they are misguided by their insurance. "my insurance said i get a free pair of lenses every year" thats true...almost. yes, if you stay within the guidelines they don't tell you about, then your lenses are covered in full. Don't expect them to be what you want, and definitely don't expect them to really be what you need. "I want to see the frames that are free under my plan" Your insurance covers an amount of any frame, usually they aren't the frames you want, and they defiantly aren't the best options for you. "why do i still have to pay so much after insurance?" this is the one that kills me every time. Most of these companies shouldn't be able to call themselves insurance, and most don't. they use names like vision plans, and vision benefit plans to mask their true role, Discount plan. They offer you a discount toward most of the products you want and need. You should always keep that in mind while looking at glasses, NEED. Glasses are a medical device, you do have a NEED for them. There are some elements involved that are more on the want side than the need side, but somethings can be surprising. You don't necessarily NEED lighter thinner lenses, but if you want your glasses (the only thing you own besides a wedding ring that you will wear everyday all day) to be comfortable and not drive you crazy then you do need that. You don't need a titanium flexible frame, but if you have skin allergies, are rough with your glasses, have kids, or want your frames to be light weight and comfortable, then you do NEED it.

One thing really stands out to me between a want and a need. Anti Reflective coating. That is a NEED. You NEED to be able to see the way the doctor prescribed. There are other benefits to the coating, it is scratch resistant, it is easier to clean, and it looks much better then an uncoated lens. The improved vision should be considered non negotiable by both you and your optician.

Vision plans try to make the lines between need and want a huge gaping divide instead of something that should be a natural choice. Thats their fault, you are at fault here too along with the lens companies, and frame companies. Nobody should expect to get free glasses, shouldn't really expect them to be close to free. Lens and frame companies need to bring down costs so some of the things people need are at a more reasonable price and still make it possible for my kids to eat too.

So what to take from this.... Talk to your doctor, and your optician. They will be more then happy to go over what is needed for your best vision possible, and also what other options will make your glasses work, look and feel better.

Have fun with your glasses, and the experience!

Glasses are the most noticeable accessory you can wear, sadly also normally the most over looked. There are many styles of frames that can make glasses disappear on your face, but many more that are meant to accentuate your personal style, your fashion sense, and can also give you a completely different look. There is no one perfect option for everyone, the frames that look great on your friend, sister, cousin, etc might not be the best choice for you. The best choice for you is out there though. I work in a small practice, I normally serve about 10 patients a day, but I display about 275+ frames, not because every one of them is completely unique, but they give more options for everyone.

here is a list of options to consider when picking out frames:

Brand: brand names aren't just for the label conscious fashionistas, major brands and top designers normally carry a theme, if even just a logo. They are also typically a higher quality, if for no other reason then not to tarnish the designers reputation. (not true in all cases, and not to mean that there aren't higher quality frames from designers and companies you haven't heard of before)

Color: Don't be afraid of color, this is why i recommend all of my patients try on everything possible, you may be surprised that the Red frame might actually compliment your hair, make up, eyes or style quite nicely.

Shape: personally I don't think its very easy to recommend a particular frame shape to any given face shape any more. Many companies and designers are making shapes that are not traditional, so again here its great to try out something different, you may surprise yourself. If nothing else fall back on the old standard, whatever gives your face a more oval appearance.

Rimless: These aren't the old glasses you're used to, the level of customization is amazing with most of todays rimless frames, choosing your color, shape, temple style, and creating the package you like the best can make these as noticeable or as invisible as you would like.

I will get into lens options and coatings another time, but i will include one thing here.

ALWAYS GET AN ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING!

It gives your glasses the look you want them to have, reflections on the lenses will detract from the overall appeal, by reducing the reflections you also will see more the way you are intended to. personally I prefer Purecoat and Teflon Infinity over the Crizal family, the blue residual color is less noticeable and I have seen better results over all.

Thats all for now...

New Frames...

I had heard great things about a line of frames from some very well respected colleagues (fezz, johns, optiboard.com plug again) and had to take a look. Got ahold of the company, and within days they sent a rep to my work so I could have a look.

They blew me away, the line is called Free Form eyewear, it is a collection of drill mount rimless frames, and Ti Plate frames. Where they really stand out is the weight, well lack of really. Some of the lightest and most comfortable frame i have had the pleasure of dealing with. The drill mount frames seem like a different twist on the modern silhouette style, wide flat titanium temples, screw-less hinges, simplistic clean design with a twist. They have interchangeable silicone inserts. I normally don't like anything interchangeable, they are normally poorly made and end up lost before being useful anyway. These are great! Between the frame color choices (3 colors for some lines, 9 in others) lens shapes (nearly 30, not including custom shapes) and silicone insert colors (9+) the level of customization is amazing with these.

The frames are great quality and extremely light weight and flexible. I encourage everyone to take a look at their website Freeformeyewear.com

As a disclaimer, I don't work for this company or receive anything for talking about them, it is just nice to find a great product from a company that doesn't treat me like I owe them my life, first born, or a portion of the business.

Introduction....

My name is Erik Lawrence, I am an Optician in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I work with a wonderful doctor in a very unique private practice. I am married with 2 kids, while not relevant professionally, it does influence my thinking, and my writing. I want to use this as a way to reach out and help others that may not know what is needed, and also a way to share with everyone what goes on through the industry, my daily work and anything else I think may be of interest.

Please feel free to leave comments, email me with questions, I want to have some fun and help a few people along the way.

I also want to give some credit to Optiboard.com one of the best resources anyone in this industry can use. It just proves further, the more you think you know, the more you have no idea.