Dec 2017

Class of 2007 celebrates
10 years
The University of Auckland graduating optometry
class of 2007 celebrated 10 years with a dinner at
Meredith’s restaurant in Mount Eden, Auckland in
November. Fourteen optometrists enjoyed a three-course
meal with the bill for the food kindly donated by Meredith’s
to Volunteer Ophthalmic Services Overseas (VOSO). The
2007 year saw 44 optometrists (37 female and four male)
graduate. It was the second group to graduate from the
University with the additional therapeutic prescribing
qualification. One member of the dinner group, Ella Ewens,
who writes for NZ Optics, said it was a very enjoyable
evening with lots to talk about, especially given the wide
range of areas her former classmates were now involved
in, including private
practice, business
ownership, volunteer
work, hospital
optometry, research,
teaching, lecturing
and, outside
optometry, running
a global online
business. ▀
OPSM NZ appointments
Erin Jackson and Jonathan Payne have joined
the Auckland-based central support team
at OPSM NZ as Human Resources (HR) and
professional services manager, respectively.
Payne replaces Hirdesh Nair who has moved to
Sydney to take up another OPSM role. Like Nair, Payne
will be responsible for all OPSM’s New Zealand-based
optometrists. A former professional teaching fellow
with the School of Optometry and Vision Science
(SOVS) at the University of Auckland, he says he’s
excited by the prospect of expanding OPSM NZ
optometrists’ clinical understanding by providing
both the latest tools and technology they need for
their practice and by looking after their passions and
clinical needs, and matching all of these as best he
can. “For me, personally, I’m enjoying the challenge of
stepping out of my comfort zone from a clinical role
to a supporting role.”
Prior to working with SOVS, Payne was an
optometrist in a private practice in Manukau, where
he also worked closely with Auckland DHB to deliver
a diabetic photo-screening programme.
Jackson meanwhile is new to the world of optics,
having previously worked with building company
Arrow International and advertising company OMD
in HR roles. She says she fell into the people-side
of business by chance after filling the role when
OPSM NZ’s Erin Jackson and Jonathan Payne
it needed doing, while working for a start-up firm
in London. “I was paid next to nothing, but ended
up loving it and have been working in HR roles
ever since.” Jackson says her goal as OPSM NZ’s HR
manager is ultimately to create a culture where
staff love coming to work every day. “It’s a good
time to join OPSM. We’ve now got a full support
team and, with Australia’s backing, are fully geared
up for success.”
Payne and Jackson join OPSM NZ’s country
manager Samantha Payne, who was appointed in
January this year. ▀
Vision technology
solutions
BY ZEISS
Some ‘Year of 2007’ Merediths’
dinner attendees (from top,
clockwise) Ella Ewens, Amanda
Snedden, Janice Yeoman, Rueben
Gordon, Debra So, Sandyha
Mathew, Renata Watene, Michelle
O’Hanlon, Ming Wang, Jason Dhana
and Surekha Parag
SPONSORED FEATURE
New Transitions POS
Transitions Optical has
launched a large suite of new
point-of-sale (POS) materials
available free to eyecare practices.
The new suite includes window
and wall posters, counter and
reading cards, dispensing mats and
consumer brochures.
The material poses the question:
“Which Transitions lens are you?”
challenging consumers to ask
which Transitions’ technologies
is for them, from Transitions Signature, XTRActive
or Vantage, and which colour they should go
for. The aim of the new POS campaign is to help
optometrists find the best solution for their
patients’ unique needs, frame,
life and personal style, said Stuart
Cannon, Transitions optical
general manager for Asia Pacific.
“The choice… means eyecare
professionals can better fulfil
patient needs and personal
preferences, ultimately leading to
greater patient satisfaction.”
Transitions has also appointed
a new sales team in Australia and
New Zealand to work more closely
with practices and offer training on Transitions’
brand family, patient insights, dispensing tips and
knowledge about how to increase profitability with
Transitions lenses, said Cannon. ▀
Delivering the best possible vision to
your patient involves more than just an
accurate refraction. Lens choice, accurate
lens dispensing measurements and precise fitting
strongly influence the overall visual performance
of a pair of spectacle lenses.
Although many eye care professionals are
highly adept at using a ruler to take PD and
fitting height measurements, skill levels vary
considerably. An internal ZEISS study indicated
that PD measurements varied by up to 3.00mm
between different eyecare professionals. While
pupilometers delivered an improved accuracy, the
variation between devices still ranged between
1.20mm and 3.00mm. Additionally, pupilometers
reference the nose bridge as the central vertical
position, not taking into consideration that the
nose may be off centre.
Manual PD and fitting heights taken by
qualified and experienced eyecare professionals
mostly suffice when dispensing relatively
unsophisticated, traditional lens designs.
However, modern lens designs require highly
accurate measurements to fully benefit from
more sophisticated lens designs with complex
surfaces.
Determining the exact position of the lens
during wear, also referred to as position of wear,
optimises the lens performance, contributes
to comfortable vision, reduces eye strain and
maintains good body posture. i.Terminal 2, the
digital centration device from ZEISS, captures
all relevant facial and frame parameters to an
accuracy of 1/10 mm, minimising lens fitting
errors that can contribute to a loss of up to 40%
in visual performance, particularly in progressive
lenses.
ZEISS i.Terminal 2 provides perfect position of
wear measurements in a fast and pleasant digital
manner for the wearer. The measurements are
completed within 60 seconds. While wearing the
selected frame, fitted with an ultra-light precision
calibration jig, the wearer looks at an infrared
cross within the device. Two photos are then
taken – one from the front and one from the side.
i.Terminal 2 combines a high-tech camera with
intelligent ZEISS software to determine relevant
centration data, which is saved to the associated
iCom data box and can be uploaded to your
practice management software or combined with
the lens order provided to your lens processing
laboratory – all with a simple click of a button.
It’s all about precision and tailoring lenses for
each individual wearer. Every face and frame
combination is unique, with variation in the
position of wear – pupil distance, fitting height,
pantoscopic tilt, frame wrap and back vertex
distance.
You may also want to consider your customer’s
perception and opinion of modern technology in
your practice. It could be perceived that the young
sales assistant employing the latest centration
technology does a more accurate job than the
well experienced eye care professional using a pen
and ruler.
More recently, ZEISS introduced i.Terminal
mobile. An Apple iPad, loaded with dedicated
ZEISS applications, accessing the Apple gyroscope
and camera to calculate all relevant position
of wear data without requiring cumbersome
attachments. This is a convenient and cost
efficient alternative to the floor mounted ZEISS
i.Terminal 2.
ENROL NOW…
…and become a fully-accredited and trained
Dispensing Optician in New Zealand
HLT47815 – Certificate IV
in Optical Dispensing is now
open for 2018 enrolments.
Workshop conveniently located
in Glenfield, Auckland
Enquiries and Enrolments www.acod.edu.au
December 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
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