About halfway between 7th and 8th Streets on 4th Avenue in Linden
lies a rather unassuming shopping 'centre'.
Known mainly for a camera repair shop and a second-hand vinyl record shop,
this is also the home of Marlise Optometrists.
I have been walking past her practice for several years on my way
to the tattoo parlour that used to be here, but has recently moved.
So, it was one one of those trips that I decided to stop in,
have my eyes tested and possibly get new frames as well.
Optometrists and dentists are usually the
last to be visited when there are issues with either eyes or teeth.
These tend to be left to the point where there needs to be a major intervention
to right the wrongs that have been left unattended for months if not years.
A rather clever way to not only recycle old plastic containers,
but a novel way to show off frames and interesting head coverings...
I am assuming that this model was wearing contact lenses?
The practice is bright, airy and uncluttered. A testament to the professional nature
of both Marlise and her staff.
I was warmly welcomed and seeing that I had made an appointment
I was ushered into the consulting room without having to fill out reams of paperwork.
While chatting with the staff, I chose to confuse myself with the
choice of frames on display.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to cost I suppose?
And the cost is subjective...
But I do wish that Medical Aid schemes would have a more
realistic view of the amount they will cover, especially, if like me,
you need multi-focal lenses.
I have had these frames for several years
as my lens prescription had not changed
and I felt that it was an unnecessary expense to change for the sake of change.
But time catches up with us all...as I was about to discover.
An optometrist with only one pair of glasses?
Yes, Marlise tells me that she has only one pair.
I would have thought that she might have a pair for every day of the week
Or perhaps for smart or casual wear...
It was Marlise that took my medical history, the medication that I am on
as well as all the pertinent information that I find time-consuming
and to a certain extent, unnecessary. I won't say that she made this task 'easy',
but what she did do was make it painless.
Her easy-going and relaxed manner must work a treat with young patients
as it certainly put me at ease.
The modern-day equipment is now digital and high tech.
This array includes a phoropter, chair and on the stand a topographer,
to check the front part of the cornea as well as slit-lamp.
The lamp is also for anterior corneal use as well as posterior use.
Gone are the days of peering at a paper chart in a dark room.
Now the lights stay on and the letters are computer-generated.
What has NOT changed is the "Which looks better, 1 or 2...3 or 4"?
To get one specific reading, Marlise even went to "7 or 8".
And in between, just to make certain that eyes did not get too dry from keeping them open for extended periods, came a soft "Blink, blink, blink" command.
More equipment than you can shake a stick at...I suppose some or all of it was being utilized
while I was ensconced behind the machine that was testing prescriptions.
The machine on the left is a Vertometer, used to check existing lens prescriptions.
Testing my old lenses...
I have said that I was impressed by the attention to detail shown.
Unbeknown to me, as well as most spectacle users,
there are watermarks on lenses that this Vertometer can pick up.
This information provided Marlise with the 'type'/brand
of multifocal that I was wearing at the time of the test.
It seems that the machine takes away to get records from previous
opticians or optometrists, thus speeding up the exam process.
Just in case there is load-shedding or power failures,
Marlise is able to go 'old-school' and continue to test using this Trialframe.
It might take longer, but I am certain that it will be every bit as thorough
as with the digital equipment.
Can you read this line of letters without squinting?
If the answer is "NO", then I suggest that you book an appointment.
I look like someone wearing a head-dress that you might find in a Star Wars movie!
This is a Phoropter and it is utilized to test individual lens choices during the exam.
It is a lot more imposing than it actually is.
A friend of mine wondered why I chose such a technical frame.
The short answer..."It looks cool"
Ever wondered what your cornea looks like?
Well, wonder no more. This software will show every tiny detail.
Marlise was even able to tell that I rub my eyes too regularly.
I discovered that glaucoma if caught early, can be managed with eye drops
to prevent any further deterioration and vision loss.
I also found out that the old air puff test for this disabling affliction is no longer used.
There is now a digital version that I was not aware of,
so when it was administered I found it difficult to keep my eye open.
Next time, being aware, I will hold it open instead of blinking.
SO MANY CHOICES...
After limiting myself to a choice of about 5 pairs,
I settled on this Ray-Ban frame.
Now if I can just get used to the new prescription quickly
so that my keyboard can revert to being flat...
We in Linden, like to support local businesses and I would therefore suggest
that if you are looking for a professional optometrist,
you make an appointment to see Marlise.
If you are concerned about your sight for any reason,
don't delay, make the call and get them checked.
