Memories
The stuff memories are made of

From touching moments assisting the youngest patients to funny international fittings, the eyecare business is never dull. Here's our latest installment of entertaining memories from our readers.

SWEET REWARDS: BABY'S FIRST SIGHT

Several years ago, I was managing an Optical Shop next to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. I was becoming accustomed to challenging prescriptions and fits, but had seen nothing like this little one.

A mom came in with a two-week-old girl with congenital cataracts who was going to need glasses with a +21.00 sphere power lens for immediately after surgery. Thanks to the help of "A Child's View," which make frames for these little ones, and the hard work of Eric at Mueller Optical, we achieved success.

Prior to surgery, the baby had no measurable vision. Two days post surgery, the mom came in and when I dispensed the glasses, we both cried.

That little girl lit up like a light bulb when we put the glasses on her. She was seeing her mother for the first time. I worked with her for the following three years and truly enjoyed every visit with her to see her progress.

Cay A. Kolling, ABOC, manager Kansas City Eye Clinic Optical Overland Park, Kan.

CHALLENGE: MR. SPEEDY

When Mr. Charles arrived, I was already prepared--I thought. "He's pleasant but he doesn't waste time," a friend told me.

As we walked out of the exam room, he said, "Get me two more glasses. I'll pick them up next week. Any frame. I just wear them, I can't see it from this side."

"I want you to see what you're buying," I said, quickly scanning the frames for something appropriate. He was faster. Pointing, he said firmly, "I'll take this one and this one."

Before he could make his quick escape, I asked for a second or two to see the frame on him and measure where the bifocal should go.

"Just put it near the bottom here," he pointed to the glasses he was wearing. I already had the new one on him and my ruler was making a fast measurement.

Then I put the other one on him. Thankfully, they were both acceptable frames. I uttered a soft "Whew!" and said, "Thank you, Mr. Charles," as he left.

He liked the frames, and we sold others to him. But he never did waste time.

Dr. Douglas Yade, Ontario, Canada

LOST AND FOUND: FROZEN ASSETS

Several years ago, I had fit a female patient with a very expensive piece of eyewear with high index lenses and anti-reflective coating. A few weeks after dispensing them, she came into the office declaring she had lost her glasses and needed another pair. We got her a second pair, but approximately six months later she returned to tell me she'd found the lost pair.

Apparently, she'd gone grocery shopping and upon returning home, had placed her glasses on the kitchen counter. Inadvertently, she placed a stack of packaged meat on top of the glasses and proceeded to place the stack of meat in her basement freezer. Months later, she reached into her freezer, pulling out the last package of meat. Attached to it were the glasses.

I asked her what she did and she said, "I let them thaw and they're fine!"

Loretta Ackerman, Eyedentity Eyewear, Albany, N.Y.

EXTRA SERVICES: A PRAYERFUL REQUEST

Recently, I refracted and serviced a research scientist who has developed an interest in the religious tenets promulgated by the group that operated the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown, N.J.

At the conclusion of my services, the patient asked me when I last lay teffilin (a religious ceremony performed each morning by some Jewish men).

Somewhat startled, I replied that I had last performed the ceremony at age 14. He then inquired if I would be willing to perform it now. We both then recited in Hebrew the text he displayed in front of me.

At the conclusion, the patient repacked his religious items, thanked me, and departed.

Samuel Goldenberg O.D., Ph.D. Convent Station, N.J.

ODD CHOICES: "I CAN'T SEE"

A lady in her 70s came in and stated that it had been 15 years since her last eye exam, and she thought it was time for another. We gave her an exam and ordered new frames and lenses for her. When she picked them up, she seemed happy, and she left in good spirits.

One week later, she returned and said the new glasses were not right. I double checked them against the written Rx, and everything was right on. I returned to the lady and asked her to put them on and look at a sign in a store window across the street. "Can you read the sign?" I asked. "Yes, it is fine," she said.

Then I handed her the newspaper and asked if she could read it. "It is very good," she said. I put her old glasses on her and asked her to read the same sign across the street. "I can't see it" she said. I handed her the newspaper. "I can't read it" was the reply.

I was at a loss, so again I asked her to define her problem. "When I put on the new glasses I can see and read fine. But when I take them off I can't see. When I put my old ones on I can't see, but when I take them off everything still looks the same. I want my new ones to work the same way."

Jon Hunt, McFarlane Eyeware, Ames, Iowa