EDITOR’S COMMENT
Finding space for creative thinking
Academic attainment is high in everyone’s mind at the moment but has the national trait of ingenuity been marginalised too much? How can we get creativity back on the curriculum?
Despite the move to course work and continual assessment today’s kids are stressed out by grades. After uni graduates are left wondering what return they are going to get in exchange for a lifetime of tuition fee debt.
At 18 or 21 that grade or class of degree seems like the be-all and end-all but out in the real world interpersonal skills, ideas and passion cut the mustard. Soft skills have always been harder to gauge so teachers and lecturers have opted for the empirical. This shapes the labour market and the university intake. Every parent will be aware of the emphasis put on exam techniques in schools. Learning the system appears to have overtaken learning the subject, perhaps that is a good preparation for today’s world?
Those who have emerged from university with an optometry degree are increasingly finding help is at hand. A great example is the Alcon Scholarship Programme which offers newly qualifieds the opportunity to network and learn with their peers. Optician has spoken to two alumni who have moved on to greater things since the programme and have nothing but praise for it. Applications can be made online.
Creativity is a queerer fish but something which has had two outings in Optician recently. The first (Optician 01.06.18) describes optometrist Peter Greedy’s journey through the development of an innovative shoe fastening – Greepers. This week the emphasis turns to eyewear for helmets. Frame sales execs Andy and Michele Greene (page 18) became designers when they failed to find an optical product for motorcycling.
Grades have their place but space should always be made for creativity and innovation to flourish.
Editor
CONTENTS
14 Ray Pasko
22 PMS
NEWS 4 7 days All the news from the past w eek 6 In focus Should locums be treated as emplo yees?
OPINION 8 Visus Breakdown the barrier s
PRACTICE 9 Showcase Latest frames and fashion 10 Look local Eye care in Torqua y 12 Optician Aw ards Multiple Practice of the Year
MANAGEMENT 14 Big Interview Ray P asko
18 Remarkable roles Lid Vision: when glasses meet helmets 22 PMS Management software round-up
CLINICAL 33 Comment How vital first aid can be 34 CET: Medical emergencies How to handle a crisis in your practice 38 Traumatic uveitis Case study 41 EA OO Clinical findings from the conference
CLASSIFIED 43 Recruitment 47 Ser vices
...AND FINALLY 51 Puzzles, photos and personalities
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Optician is the weekly, paid-for information source for optometrists, dispensing opticians and the optical industry. For 127 years Optician has been the independent voice for eye care professionals, students and business owners offering breaking news, analysis and education. In print and online, Optician provides an array of clinical, business and technology articles, comprehensive CET
coverage along with the very latest in contact lenses, frame fashion trends and spectacle lens technology. Optician offers advice on careers and carries hundreds of job opportunities every week. Optician provides its readers with essential business help and offers a forum for eye care professionals and others in the market.
22 June 2018 OPTICIAN 3
