Daleen Slabbert consults to the optometric industry. Her services include: new practice set-up, implementing practice systems, implementing financial check points, staff training, implementing marketing strategies, human resources management, motivating staff, etc. She has amassed an incredible library of information and has vast experience in the running of high performance optometric practices. Daleen offers an on-site service, where she will be at the fore front of implementation of her systems. She has also developed an outstanding online course for optometric staff.


You’d think that going through an entire eye exam would be enough to get the proper pair of glasses, so why does the optometrist require you to come back to pick up your glasses? Even though your glasses have been crafted specifically for you, there is still one important step to take before you can wear them. That step is the fitting process.

There’s a reason why you have to go back to the office to pick up your new glasses personally. It’s so that the dispensing staff can adjust the frames to fit your face properly and also to make sure that the centres of the lenses align correctly with your eyes. This is why sending someone to pick up your specs is not a good idea.

Comfortable spectacle wear starts in fact with the careful selection of the right frames, suitable for your prescription as well as having the right parameters for your face. This is followed by careful measurements to ensure that the optical centres will align properly. These measurements will be determined by the optical prescription, the functions the spectacles will be used for, as well as your posture. This is stuff that cannot be done properly if you had to buy glasses online.

Once the lenses have been fitted to the frame, it is very likely that the shape of the frame is not the same anymore as when it was taken off the shelf. This is why this last step is all-important to ensure comfort and optimum optical performance.

Nobody’s face is exactly symmetrical. For instance, one ear may be higher than the other. The optical dispenser has the right tools to ensure that the optical centres are positioned correctly and that the frame is aligned correctly to ensure wearing comfort. It is not uncommon that you may have to return for another adjustment once you have worn the glasses for a few days. This is why it could be futile to have someone pick up your glasses on your behalf.

The truth is after a few months (or an accidental knock to the head) the way your glasses fit may start to change. The earpieces (temples) may not wrap around your ears quite as nicely or the temples may be bending out or in too much. You will probably be tempted to fix them yourself. But, this is the worst thing you could do for your glasses. These are all easy fixes at your optometrist’s office because they have the right tools. Trying to bend your own glasses is a bad idea because they have to be air-heated to do that.

The best advice is to pop in for a re-alignment whenever you are in the area. As a rule, there is no charge, and no appointment is required.

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