Optical dispensary open for semester at Madison College

The Madison College optical dispensary is located in Room 271 of the Health Education Building.

Jessica Deegan, News Editor
September 27, 2017

The college’s optical dispensary is now open for semester. Located in Room 271 on the second floor of the Health Education Building, the dispensary is open on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through Dec. 8.

“The Madison College optical dispensary is operated for the purpose of educating future optometric technicians in the techniques of eyewear selection, ordering, adjustment, and repair. Madison College students, staff, faculty, Madison College Alumni, and Madison College retirees are eligible to utilize the dispensary services,” said Ann Hayden-Finger, program director of the Optometric Technician Program.

The Optometric Technician program has been operating a dispensary since 1978. The program students, under the direct supervision of trained instructors, run the dispensary.

During the spring semester, vision screenings are available for Madison College staff, students and the public.

Screenings are performed by Optometric Technician students and can include, but are not limited to:

Eye pressure test.
Visual acuity measurement.
Color vision test.
Depth perception assessment.
Pupil reflex testing.
Blood pressure measurement.
Visual field testing.
Slit lamp examination.

These screenings may present key findings about the patients’ eye health, which will be provided in written form. The vision screenings, however, are not comprehensive eye examinations. “Therefore, a prescription will not be provided,” said Student Support Assistant and Optometric Tech graduate Andreea Bauknecht.

It can be determined through a vision screening what the patient’s visual acuities are, what their intraocular pressures are, what their blood pressure is and a variety of other procedures. If the staff sees things that fall outside of normal limits, they are able to speak with the patient and refer them to an appropriate medical facility.

Since the dispensary is a part of a class in the optometric program, the hours of operation are dictated by the curriculum. The optical dispensary team asks patients to call or email them to make an appointment, as they want to be sure staff will be available to help them.
Many Madison College students do not have health or vision insurance and cannot afford to see an eye care professional, Hayden-Finger explained. The optical dispensary can provide them some information in regards to their vision health if needed.

Vision screenings are an important part of the program curriculum because it helps students prepare for their upcoming clinical rotations. The students participate in a minimum six-week clinical rotation that usually results in multiple job offers before the rotations are completed.

For the convenience of the students, staff and faculty at Madison College, the optical dispensary is available to fill current glass, sunglass and safety glass prescriptions, regardless of where they originated. At this time, however, the dispensary does not work with a contact lens group and does not dispense them.

“Our prices will not compare to the discount eye care centers you see advertised. We work with a professional first quality lab and offer superior frames and lenses at student pricing,” said Bauknecht.

“Our student pricing will offer you very attractive rates on high quality materials,” Bauknecht said.

Designer lines such as Ray-Ban, Nine West and Kate Spade are also available at the dispensary. The dispensary team is constantly working with quality vendors and offer great after sale support, which a lot of other eye care centers may not provide.