My Work Experience

It’s my last day of work experience at good looking optics today and I'm going to miss it loads. I've only been here four days but it has been so rewarding; I've learnt so much already. 

Monday was my first day and the first thing I did was have an eye test. I then learnt the basic jobs that have to be done for the day to run smoothly. 
I was taught how to find and fill out patients’ record cards and learnt about the different types of NHS forms and how to fill them out too. Garry also taught me about how the system works – how to look up patients and book/cancel appointments.  

On Tuesday, I was given the task of phoning patients who were due an eye test and making appointments. I was very proud of myself after I managed to book around nine appointments. I found that this really developed my communication skills, which is a vital part of being an optometrist.

 I also got to sit behind the front desk for the first time. A customer came in for a new pair of glasses, so Garry asked me to help choose a pair. I had to call the supplier and order the pair that the customer wanted. 

As well as learning about the administrative side of things, Garry also wanted me to learn more about the eye and how it works. He set me the task of writing a blog a day on the different types of common refractive eye conditions – myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism. The topic for Tuesday was myopia, which is known as short-sightedness.http://allaboutmypoia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/myopia.html 

 Wednesday was a slightly different day– the shop is open but there are no eye tests. Its mainly just admin work. I was given a variety of different tasks to do throughout the day, including adding hypermetropia to my blog. http://allaboutmypoia.blogspot.co.uk/2012_10_01_archive.html 

For the last hour, Garry left me in charge of the shop floor. Although there were no customers coming in, it was quite exciting to know I was ‘in charge.’ I answered calls(I also learnt, thanks to Dora, that you only use one spoonful of instant coffee however big the cup is!)  

 Work experience here at Good Looking Optics has made me even more determined to pursue a career in optometry. I’d like to thank Garry and Dora for being great supervisors and everyone else at good looking optics, for making me feel part of the team from the very first day! I've learnt so much, and I can’t wait to come back during my next holiday.  

Whether you want to be an optician or not, Good Looking Optics is the place to go for work experience. The people here really do show an interest in your career. And remember to pop in for an eye test when you’re in the area or call 0208 364 4444 to book an appointment.

www.goodlookingoptics.co.uk 

Astigmatism

Astigmatism:  A condition of refraction in which the image of the object is not a single point, but two focal lines at different distances from the optical system. the two focal lines are generally perpendicular to each other. In the eye it is a refractive error which is generally caused by one or several toroidal shapes of the refracting surfaces, or by the obliquity of the light entering the eye, but it can also develop as a result of subluxation of the lens or diabetes.

What is Astigmatism

Astigmatism is common minor eye condition that occurs in nearly everybody to some degree. It is caused by an irregular curvature of cornea and this causes vision to be blurred or distorted. 

The shape of a typical eye is usually spherical so when light usually enters, it refracts evenly to create a clear view of the object. However, in an eye with astigmatism, the eye is shaped like a ruby ball, and so light is refracted more in one direction than the other allowing only part of the object to be in focus at one time making objects at certain distances appear blurred.

Astigmatism is usually present at birth and is often hereditary. It can also be the result of previous eye surgery. Astigmatism can also occur with other refractive errors such as myopia (short-sightedness) and hypermetropia (long-sightedness)

Symptoms of Astigmatism

If left untreated, astigmatism can cause headaches, eye strain and fatigue 

How astigmatism Is Treated

Most cases of astigmatism are actually so mild that no treatment is needed. However, in cases where vision is significantly affected, corrective lenses such as glasses or contact lenses can be used.

Laser treatment can be used to permanently correct astigmatism in adults