About the Program Course Content
- Vision Correction & Health: The primary driver is updating a prescription due to blurry vision, requiring new lenses for clarity.
- Fashion and Self-Expression: Eyewear is increasingly viewed as an accessory to reflect personal style, with consumers looking for trendy shapes, colors, and brands.
- Lifestyle and Technology: The need for specialized lenses, such as blue-light filtering for screen time or sun-protective lenses, drives purchases.
- Convenience and Replacement: Replacing old, damaged, or lost glasses is a major factor, often spurred by the convenience of online shopping, which allows for 24/7 access to wide selections.
- Price and Value: Cost-conscious consumers are motivated by insurance coverage, sales, or competitive pricing, particularly when shopping online.
- Expert Recommendations: Recommendations from eyecare professionals (ECPs) regarding specialized lens coatings (like scratch resistance) significantly influence purchasing decisions.
Instructor qualifications
- Advanced Technical & Fitting Skills:
- Rapid Fit Assessment: Learning to assess frame fit in approximately 3 seconds, focusing on width, nose, and temples (WNT).
- Complex Prescription Handling: Understanding how to select frames for high-minus or high-plus prescriptions to minimize lens thickness.
- Precision Measurement: Developing accuracy in taking pupillary distance (PD) and optical center (OC) heights to prevent patient discomfort.
- Physical Adjustments: Mastering the use of tools for alignment (e.g., pantoscopic tilt, vertex distance) to ensure optimal vision.
- Clinical & Product Knowledge:
- Material Selection: Understanding the pros and cons of materials like titanium vs. acetate based on durability, flexibility, and hypoallergenic needs.
- Lens Technology Application: Identifying when to recommend specialized lens designs (e.g., digital, anti-reflective, photochromic) for better visual performance.
- Styling & Communication:
- Face Shape & Color Analysis: Learning to choose frames that complement facial features (e.g., contrasting shapes, matching skin tones) rather than relying on outdated rules.
- Needs-Based Selling: Using open-ended, lifestyle-based questions to recommend appropriate, high-value products that solve patient problems.
- Business & Professional Development:
- Troubleshooting & Efficiency: Learning to solve common adaptation issues, such as with progressive lenses, reducing chair time for doctors.
- Multi-Pair Dispensing: Learning to effectively recommend a second pair for specific needs (e.g., sunglasses, computer use).
- Ethical Dispensing: Understanding the professional responsibility to provide the best possible vision for the patient's welfare
Ruby Garcia, ABOC & NCLEC State Licensed Optician
First up, we have Ruby Garcia, a highly experienced ABOC & NCLEC State Licensed Optician based in California. With over 20 years of experience in the field and an impressive 25 years of teaching under her belt, Ruby brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Not only does she hold an MBA from Purdue University, but she is also currently pursuing her PhD in Business. Ruby's extensive experience and academic background make her a valuable asset to the course, offering students a unique perspective on the optical industry.
Bobby Davarnejad, Advanced ABOC & NCLEC Licensed Optician
Next, we have Bobby D, an Advanced ABOC & NCLEC Licensed Optician hailing from Nevada. With over two decades of experience working with and managing his personal optical business, Bobby brings a hands-on approach to teaching. His practical insights and real-world experience add a dynamic element to the course, helping students bridge the gap between theory and practice. Bobby's passion for the optical field and his commitment to excellence make him a standout instructor, dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to succeed.
Rene Petris ABOC State Licensed Optician
Lastly, we have Rene Petris, an ABOC State Licensed Optician with a decade of experience in California. Specializing in managing opticians and guiding them to become licensed professionals, Rene brings a unique perspective to the course. His focus on mentorship and professional development sets him apart as an instructor, offering students valuable insights into career growth and advancement in the optical industry. With Rene's guidance, students can expect to not only learn the fundamentals of opticianry but also gain valuable mentorship to help them excel in their future careers.
Learning Objectives
- Student Surveys (Quantitative & Qualitative): Distribute anonymous surveys asking about the instructor's ability to simplify tough topics, use of visual aids for diagrams, and preparedness.