Macular degeneration, commonly referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is the single largest cause of sight loss in the developed world and affects more than 10 million Americans. It usually affects people over the age of 60, but has been known to affect those who are younger. It is a painless condition that usually affects both eyes with the loss being experienced in the central vision. It does not affect the peripheral vision, meaning that it does not cause total blindness.
The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina and is responsible for our central vision and what allows us to see fine details with clarity.
Wet AMD is one variety of the condition in which abnormal blood vessels grow into the macula, leaking blood or fluid which then causes scarring and a rapid loss of central vision. Wet AMD can develop suddenly and rapid referral to a specialist is essential as it can be treated if caught quickly.
Dry AMD is the most common variety of age-related macular degeneration and is a gradual deterioration of the retina as the cells die off over time and are not regenerated. Up to 15% of people with dry AMD go on to develop wet AMD, and so any sudden changes in your vision should be followed up with your optometrist as soon as possible.
As our Front Desk Coordinator, you will have the incredible honor to set the stage for each patient’s appointment. When our patients walk in, you will be the first person they see to reassure them they have made the right decision in choosing our practice, it really changes their day! Not only that, but it sets the expectation for the appointment and lets our patients know their appointment will go as smoothly as possible, allowing the patient to be receptive to our recommendations.
Some of your duties will include:
Making sure patients feel welcome as soon as they walk in the door
Pleasantly answering questions and making appointments for existing and potential clients
Reviewing and organizing patient medical charts for accuracy and authenticity
Using your friendliest phone voice to answer incoming calls, take messages, complete outreach to patients (some re-engagement required)
Assisting in opening and closing the office
Understanding and respecting patient privacy laws
Consistent training for optimal career growth
You’ll be handing a lot of the important work that goes on to set the doctor and the patient up for success. As the first person to work with each patient during their appointment, you’ll be the one that calms their nerves, gets them in a great mood, and shows them that we are there to serve them in every way we can!
Some of your duties will include:
Taking the patient back to the exam room and verifying their medical history
Spending 15+ minutes with each patient before the doctor comes in, performing duties such as measuring retinal function, peripheral vision, and retinal thickness; and taking retinal photographs. (You’ll be using the same type of instruments NASA uses on the space station!)
“Refracting” the patient, which means starting the process of finding the patient’s eyeglass prescription before the doctor comes in to refine it.
Taking notes for the doctor during the patient’s exam.
Ordering proper tests based on the doctor’s diagnoses.
Consistent training for optimal career growth
Properly coding procedures so everything gets paid by the patient’s insurance.
You’ll be helping our patients choose the right glasses for them based on their lifestyle, prescription, personal style, and more. Out of everyone that works at our practice, the Optician has the honor of satisfying patients the most! People walk in not being able to see, and you’re the one that sends them out looking great and SEEING great - so you get all the glory!
This is not just any sales job! Your role is to be an educator and a style consultant. If you loath pushy salespeople, you’ll love this job, because we can’t stand pushy salespeople, either.
Some of your duties will include:
Helping people pick out frames that suit them based on the shape of their face, bridge fit, lifestyle, and prescription.
Determining the best lens types, materials, coatings, and brands for patients’ lifestyles. For example, a kid who plays basketball will need something different from someone who works on a computer all day.
Educating first-timers on how to use and take care of their glasses
Troubleshooting prescription issues
Taking accurate measurements for all lens styles and prescriptions
Checking new glasses for fit and making adjustments
Miscellaneous repairs
Billing insurance
Consistent training for optimal career growth
Educating patients on what their benefits cover
Keeping the optical space looking clean, neat and welcoming
Doing inventory, ordering, sending and receiving shipments
One fine body…