Good opticians question clients to discover their visual needs in order to provide corresponding products. Exceptional opticians utilize methods that educate their patients on how their lives will improve once they obtain these options. Whether you use questionaires or simply ask questions while assisting customers, you should be discovering all their optical needs by having a conversation throughtout the frame and lens selection process. 

Inquiring about work and leisure activities will give insight into what type of frame(s) will best suit the clients’ lifestyle. Farmers and construction workers require different tensile strength materials than office personnel and stay-at-home grandmothers.  

Do they have hobbies? What visual demands are needed while pursuing their hobbies? Sewing, crafting, scrapbooking, computers, outdoor activities and sports are all potential second pairs of glasses. 

Nearly everyone should have a pair of prescription sunglasses. It goes without saying, contact lens wearers need non prescription sunwear; not only for comfort but for eye protection from damaging sun rays. Do your presbyopes read while outdoors? Don’t just offer single vision sun lenses, but include all their focusing distance needs. If they currently wear progressives, then having progressives in their sunwear will provide seemless transitioning between both pairs. 

Scratch coatings and UV protection should always be offered after giving explanations of how they benefit the patient. (Scratch coatings prolong the life of the lenses and UV coatings protect the eye from cataract forming rays.)

Anti-Reflective coatings are another need your patient may be unaware of. Do they drive at night? Do they use a computer? Once you explain the benefits of AR coatings, (improved visual acuity, improved appearance of glasses, decreased glare) many customers will choose options that enhance their visual experiences. 

When it comes to protecting your eyes, UV coating alone isn’t enough. Modern technology exposes our eyes to hours of blue light from computers, televisions, tablets and smart phones. Blue Blocker lenses provide all day protection-both indoors and out-against damaging high-energy visible (HEV) blue light and UV rays.

Thin, lightweight lenses are both visually appealing and more comfortable to wear. When glasses aren’t sliding down, prescriptions stays where they belong and your clients experience less discomfort on pressure points on top of noses and ears.

Lastly, you must truly care about your customer and his needs. Being an eye care professional means you invest time learning about your customers and what will satisfy all their vision needs.  They’ll know, however, if you’re only trying to make a sale. If you provide solutions instead of pushing things they don’t want or need, you’ll become their hero. 

At Frecker Optical, we are here to help you. If you ever have questions about how to fill your patients needs, it would be our pleasure to assist you. Give us a call!