Optician Training: What Is Prism?

What Is Prism: Watch a detailed, illustrated, explanation of how and why a prism is used to correct problems with vision.

For optician training or ABO NOCE study, here is a big-picture overview of what a prism is and what a prism does. This video lesson shows you how you can use the predictability of prism to alter the position of an object as it is perceived by our brain. This is a great lesson on basic prism theory and how prism is used in conjunction with prescription lenses to correct vision problems. It includes a brief bench session showing an actual ophthalmic prism at work.

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This video lesson is sponsored by Laramy-K Optical

Laramy-K Optical is a digital uncut and coating lab unlike any other. The only exclusively uncut lab in the country; we provide our customers with independent, high-end alternatives to corporate brands. Through craftsmanship, technology, and independent, innovative vendors like Younger, IOT, A&R, and Quantum Innovations we offer our customers the Integrity portfolio of freeform lenses and coatings. Made in the USA, the Integrity brand is not a generic house-brand, but is the absolute best available, designed to give the wearer that “wow!” experience.

In addition to the digital line, we still offer conventional surfacing, including glass. Maintaining traditional equipment gives our customers vastly more flexibility in their dispensing, particularly when it comes to more difficult prescriptions.

[jgb]

I was hired as an optician at an early age and really only new there was a job that sounded very interesting and offered an opportunity to challenge myself and grow as a person wishing to enter the field of optics. It has taken much time and learning to even be comfortable to explain to a patient the complexities of an Rx, and I really had to take a moment to thank you for the time and methodology you have taken to teach your own personal experiences. Your videos have been very helpful.

[ashleyknucklesgaming]

I started off as a optometric tech after never being in optics ever. The place I work is very busy. They found me to be hard working and want to promote me to salesperson but I’ve only been in optics for 3 months and all this information is so much to take in at once. Really appreciate these videos because me knowing what they need will make me and my customer very happy and that’s what I want. Thank you for the time you put into these videos, you have helped me a lot!

[juliacray]

Getting prism glasses in a few weeks. You explained this SO well. I went to a specialist and when she put the prisms on my eyes I Cried. I no longer saw double. I’m 55 and this has been going on since my 20’s but now it’s getting worse. Driving is miserable… I close one eye to stop the double vision. As a Dental Hygienist, I’m all good seeing close up. Wish I could use Surgical Loupes. Again, this was very informative. Great Lecture.

[grandmakatemakes]

I realize your videos are geared toward opticians, but as a consumer they are incredibly helpful. This video especially! I'm amazed by how complicated optics can be but yet there is legal, allowable margins of error! I've discovered I'm quite sensitive to things being just slightly off, needing to know how to explain what I require in terms opticians understand.

[LaDeeDah]

I'm learning so much! Thank you so much for doing these videos! I started 3 years ago at an optical having absolutely no knowledge of optical work or even receptionist work and I've been promoted to training optician! It is very difficult to me as someone who is not math brained at all but your videos are so helpful!

[luisgomez]

I'm an optician with many years experience, same as you, and I liked how do you explained the function of the prism...thank you...

[lucillesitzler]

Awesome demo and explanation of prism. I just wasn’t getting it from my doctor. The dance helped too. Lol. Thank you so much.

[ugochinnamdi]

I love lectures by Laramy K. Really doing a great job Sir.

[CarrieAnn]

Thank you - I'm a client, not an optician. I have been spending a lot [too much] time on my iPhone. Long story short I have a bad astigmatism. I was headed to the grocery store and all of a sudden I was seeing double cars [turned around and came home]. Then I went to my eye Dr [I recently moved to FL], and saw the younger Dr, not the older one. He seemed pleased with a 25/20 and said we're done. Too bad he didn't ask me if I was satisfied! Well, when I picked up my glasses, I was in fact not totally satisfied so I decided a second opinion was necessary. I talked with the optician at Costco and she said the word prism. Anyhow, I had her do a basic exam and picked up my new glasses. My desire is to have the best/clearest vision for driving. I can see fine up close if I remove my glasses. Anyhow, I am waiting to hear back just what she/Dr. was able to correct my vision to. Now, I need to go back to the older Dr #1 and ask if he knows how to work with prisms. What a learning experience, and your video helped a lot. The younger Dr #1 had no prism correction in my prescription. He must need a class or three in understanding prisms. Gotta love it when the client knows more than the Dr, thanks to your video.

[stephensmith]

Excellent work!! Thank you for your time in presenting these videos

[isaiahholland]

this is amazing! i didnt know we could play this much with light

[RandyRTorres]

Excellent explanation. I am not an optician, but this was very simple to understand in the way that you taught it.

[lucylixiang]

You are literally going to get me through my dispensing OSCE stations! Thank you

[lynnettegarcia]

Thank you so very much, I'm recently started teaching a Dispensing Optician Program and have used your ABO guide and your teaching video's as resource for my students. Thank you your simplistic breakdown is awesome.

[perpetualmuzac]

I am trying to memories everything on this video.. I am failing.. this is easy.. thanks for all that you are doing for me on this video

[tarabound]

very conversational.  Excellent presentation.

[Catinmelb]

Hey! There is one point you did not point out, that is how to decide if BI should be on left or right eye. Or BD on left eye or BU on right eye should be applied. I found the answer, if BI is in the wrong eye, when you look at a pair of speakers playing music, it will appear the sound is not coming out of the speakers but somewhere next to it. Hence correct prism is perfected when sound and sight overlap is achieved and it is something I had to work out myself as a patient and ask the optometrist to make changes to the prescription until I had the BI perfect.

[Fireneedsair]

Fantastic info presented in a way I can understand

[sitrontreestudio]

Thank you for the information! You provide excellent content.

[LuisGomez-cm]

Laramy K Optical...Hello John, I want to tell you that I am one of your followers, but I haven't seen you for a while, until now that I see you again... I am an optician, also with several years of experience and I watch your channel, to learn something or just as a reminder...your topics are interesting...🙂👍...