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Get branded the lens way
Designer spectacles on display.
A few years ago, if one was caught sporting a Nike or Reebok shoes along with his Lee jeans then he would have been considered to be one among the swanky guys in town. But today one more thing has been added to the fashion accessories, the designer specs. The bold and the beautiful hold one's face under the self proclaimed rule of fashion to find out what one is sporting? Is it a Ray Ban or Giorgio Armani? The brand decides one's attitude, taste and life style, and status too!
But is this the only reason for the springing up of optical shops almost in every nook and corner. "No," says A.V.N. Chetty, a leading ophthalmologist. "The overall growth of the city coupled with the increase in population is primarily responsible for the mushrooming of the optical shops. Earlier, there were only three or four shops with 20 qualified ophthalmologists to cater for a population of four lakhs but today with the count going up to 16 lakhs, the number of shops have also shot up to almost 100."
But the biggest question that sneaks into one's mind is, are the optical shops qualified to do the service that they normally claim or are they simply beguiling? "To understand the nuances of this trade and principles governing them one should first clearly perceive the basic meaning of the terms used, such as optician, optometrist and ophthalmologist. Optician is the one who owns an optical shop and has nothing to do with checking or prescribing of lenses. Anybody who has undergone the four years diploma course at L.B. Prasad Eye Institute, Sankar Netralaya or any other reputed eye institute in optometrics can be called an optometrist and that person is certified to check and prescribe. In the West an eye specialist comes into picture only after a patient is thoroughly checked by an optometrist. Ophthalmologist is a qualified doctor who not only checks and prescribes but also diagnoses diseases related to the eye and, if required, conducts surgery. The treating of any disease related to the eye is solely the domain of a qualified doctor and not anybody else, if done otherwise it is nothing more than quackery," says Dr. Chetty.
A.V.N. Chetty checking a patient at his clinic.
Another area of concern is the checking done by computer gadgets at most of the optical shops and how accurate are they? "Computer checking is now available with most of the optical shops and all the ophthalmologists but speaking in general terms it does give the result to pinpoint accuracy. It is advisable to go for the medical way of checking simultaneously. It is then left to the doctor or optometrist to interpret both the readings and then prescribe," he avers.
Whatever be the reason for the growth of this trade, they have certainly given the Vizagites a lot of choice in regard to both power and fashionable spectacles. "Today we have a variety of lenses including imported ones with the likes of Chance Pilkington and Corning. In addition, the people can choose lenses made of glass or plastic. Though most carry a wrong notion that plastic lenses are not up to the mark but in the West it has become mandatory because of their quality, lightness and shatter-proof attributes. Another recent addition is the progressive lenses. These lenses are bifurcated into three regions: distance, intermediary and reading unlike the bifocal. Contact lenses are also fast moving, especially with women who are more conscious about beauty. But the real fillip to this trade, of late, comes from designer specs that have invaded the psyche of both the young and middle-aged group. Today we have almost all the top MNC brands like Giorgio Armani, Ray Ban, Police, Fila, Vogue and Luxotica in our showroom to cater for the growing fashion industry," says A.H. Aarif of Optical Plaza Aarif.
Customers waiting for delivery of their specs in a showroom.
The advent of such multipurpose optical showrooms have not only given the people a wider scope of choice but have also quickened the process of checking and delivery of spectacles. Earlier, we all know that the entire process used to take a minimum of two to three days but today it is all over in an hour. Lenses are no longer ground for hours to get the correct specifications but they are available readymade at the optician's place. All you have to do is to take the prescribtion, go to the optician and make your choice of lens and frame.
"Frames also play a vital role in our business. They keep changing over a period in line with fashion trends and we have to be in touch with the change constantly. Today most people prefer thin metal frames and the older community prefer rimless frames, to give them a dignified look. The heavy plastic frames are outdated and even the lenses have become much thinner and lighter," says Aarif.
Though a visit to the doctor is inevitable after 40 years, Dr. Chetty suggests a few tips in line with the adage `Prevention is better than cure'. "Always wear sunglasses to avoid ultra violet rays and dust particles. For people in the 4-18 age group check-ups are necessary every four years and for 40 plus check-ups every year especially for people suffering from diabetes, asthma, hyper-tension. Those who are using steroids regularly must avoid `Holi' colours and cracker injuries. A nutritious diet always supplements the
upkeep of the sight."
Now that the choice is plenty with an optical shop every few blocks so should be the care for the `gift of God'.
S.B.
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