Tips for Successfully Dispensing Reading Glasses:
In an effort to help make your mission trip not only a success, but an enjoyable one as well, RestoringVision has prepared below some tips that our partners have found useful when dispensing reading only eyeglasses. Keeping in mind that your clients may not actually be able to read, we have made available to you tools that will assist in determining what corrective power your client needs to see clearly in the near range. Even though your client may not be able to read, they will still benefit from the ability to see things clearly at a near range of approximately 16 inches away from their eyes. in fact, many people refer to these as “working” glasses.

1. In preparation for your near vision screenings, you’ll want to organize the reading only eyeglasses (readers) to help you quickly locate appropriate powers. Be sure to leave the individual readers in their original packaging. Arranging them behind the dispensing table from lowest power to highest in a manner of left to right will be most beneficial.

2. Provide each of your dispensers with a selection of readers that includes one of each power you have available. Instruct the dispensers to place in front of them the selection of readers in an organized fashion of lowest power to highest.

3. Arrange seating so that the client is sitting across from the dispenser. Once the client is seated across from the dispenser, explain the process of: first determining what corrective power they will need in order to see clearly, and then selecting a frame with that power.

4. Now that they understand how the process works, you can begin the screening. Provide the client with either a power testing card, such as those below, or any paper that has typed print. Instruct the client to hold the testing card or paper at a distance away from their eyes that they want to be capable of seeing clearly with their new readers.

5. Now, place one of the readers on your client and instruct them to adjust the distance of the testing card or paper until the print becomes clear for them. It is worth noting that the power required for your client to see clearly will increase as their age increase. As a general rule of thumb, about a ½ diopter of power will need to be added for every 4-5 years of your client’s age. For example, clients between the ages of 38 and 43 will typically begin with a +1.00, those who are 43 to 47 will most likely require a +1.50 and so on.

6. Assuming you are using one of the power testing cards below, follow these guidelines to help you determine the appropriate power for the client:
–If the printed type at the 20/30 line is clearest for them holding the testing card closer than what the client prefers, then the power is too strong. Replace the readers with a lower power and adjust until both the 20/30 line is clear and the distance of the testing card is where the client wishes it to be.
–If the printed type at the 20/30 line is clearest for the client holding the testing card further than what they prefer, then the power is too weak. Replace the readers with a higher power and adjust until both the 20/30 line is clear and the distance of the testing card is where the client wishes it to be.

7. Once the appropriate power has been determined, gather a variety of frames from your selection behind the dispensing table in that particular power. After the client has chosen the style they like, the client is finished.

Note: If through this process you determine that none of the powers are able to make the typed print clear for the client, then they may have other eye conditions that warrants a referral to an eye care professional.

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Power Testing Cards