Along with the ophthalmologist and the orthoptist, the optician-eyewear is one of the three players in the management of visual health in France. What are its missions? When should you go to the optician? What protocol is in place during the Covid-19 period? We tell you all about this eye expert. 

The three health professionals in charge of visual health are the ophthalmologist, the orthoptist and the optician-eyewear. 

Ophthalmologist

He is a doctor who checks and prescribes a correction adapted to the visual disturbance of his patient. As a doctor, he plays a key role in the prevention and detection of eye diseases and disorders. 

The orthoptist

He is responsible for carrying out acts of rehabilitation, exploration and rehabilitation of vision on medical prescription issued by an ophthalmologist. He can also perform certain complementary examinations to explore the vision.

The optician

Its mission is to deliver optical equipment as part of a medical prescription in order to improve, maintain, restore and protect the patient’s vision.  

The optician’s missions revolve around several axes: 

• It analyzes the medical prescription issued by the ophthalmologist (corrective glasses or contact lenses). Concretely, he answers the patient’s questions about his prescription, and can analyze the equipment worn so far. 
• It collects information on the visual needs of the patient requiring optical correction (what are their requirements according to their lifestyle, for example). And if he suspects an ophthalmological emergency, the optician can notify the attending ophthalmologist to get an appointment quickly. 
• He can, if necessary, carry out an on-site eye examination in order to carry out or adapt (in the event of renewal) the medical prescriptions.
• For a prescription for corrective lenses, the optician guides the patient in choosing and adjusting the lenses and the new frame. For this, he must in particular take precise measures to adapt the assembly and manufacture of the lens to the patient’s profile. 
• After having assembled the equipment, the optician-eyewear gives it to the patient then systematically checks the centering and adjustment, ensures the quality of the patient’s vision with the new equipment and gives advice on wearing and fitting. maintenance. 
• For a prescription for contact lenses, the optician guides the patient on his choice after having questioned him about his needs. The wearing of lenses requiring the mastery of a particular manipulation, the optician informs the patient about the maintenance and hygiene conditions and shows him how to put lenses (if it is a first prescription). 

The optician is empowered to measure your eyesight to best meet the ophthalmologist’s medical prescription. This is a visual refraction test. Opticians are equipped with devices that can test near or far vision. This examination also makes it possible to adapt the initial prescription of the ophthalmologist if the patient’s vision has changed but it does not establish a medical diagnosis (mission reserved for the ophthalmologist). As a result, the optician can renew your prescription if you are over 16 years old and the prescription is less than 5 years old (less than 3 years if you are over 42 years old): he can adapt new corrective lenses to your old or new mounts. Also, if you break or lose your corrective glasses (in case of myopia, astigmatism or hyperopia) and you do not have replacement glasses, the optician can dispense new glasses without a prescription.  

You can go to an optician when you have a prescription issued by an ophthalmologist for the purchase of corrective glasses or contact lenses to correct a visual defect. You can also go to an optician to buy glasses without correction (no need for a medical prescription) but in this case the costs are entirely your responsibility.

There are different types of opticians: independent opticians, online opticians, mutual opticians and opticians who are members of a network of professionals. Who to turn to? Here are some practical tips for choosing your optician:

• do not hesitate to meet several opticians to compare their offers and prices for what you need. Ask everyone for a quote for the equipment corresponding to your ophthalmologist’s prescription;
• choose opticians who offer good after-sales service;
• opt for an optician who offers additional services in addition to third-party payment;
• choose an optician who offers a wide choice of frames at all prices;
• choose an optician who gives pride of place to advice and customer personalization.

To become an optician, you must pass a BTS in optician-eyewear in two years, accessible after the baccalaureate. Admission to the BTS is based on application and interview. Note that the training is open as a priority to certain sectors of the baccalaureate (general bac S, technological bac specializing in optical engineering, pro optics bac, eyewear, etc.). 

This training can be supplemented by other diplomas afterwards such as a professional license in Health Specialist Optics for example. 

Faced with the current health crisis, opticians must adapt to continue doing their job. Just like supermarkets or pharmacies, optical retail stores are authorized to remain open during this second confinement (in force until December 1, 2020), according to a decree published on October 29, 2020. 

If you have to go to an optician during this second confinement, here are the reception conditions:

• you must respect the barrier gestures: physical distancing of at least one meter, compulsory wearing of the mask, compulsory hand disinfection at the entrance of the store;
• the number of people in the store is limited and traffic is one-way; 
• make an appointment in advance if possible;
• come alone in store if possible;
• you cannot manipulate the mounts. Only the optician can do it, he disinfects them before and after fitting;
• you must insert your vital card into the reader yourself;
• a zoning system has been set up in the store: each area has a different service (an area for fitting frames, an area for eye exams, an area for invoicing, an area for the collection of purchases) ;
• prescriptions slip into a pocket held by the optician. Thus, the customer does not touch the pouch and the optician does not touch the prescription;
• dematerialization is preferred for document exchange (sending invoices and medical prescriptions by email);
• The eye exam is still possible but the client must wear a mask during the exam and the optician must wear protective glasses or visor. 

Prescription validity periods remain unchanged during the covid-19 period: 1 year for patients under 16, 5 years for patients between 16 and 42, 3 years for those over 42.