Need new glasses? Three reasons why an expert optical dispenser matters
While most people have some idea what optometry involves, not everyone is familiar with optical dispensing, yet it’s a key eye health service.
Prior to 2009, NSW legislation required all optical dispensers to be licenced. Due to regulatory reform across several states during the 2000s, it was one of a number of occupations to be deregulated.
While the intention of the changes was to streamline services, it now means that not everyone who dispenses has the formal training and experience that they really need.
Yes, optical dispensers sell glasses, but a skilled optical dispenser also accurately interprets optometrist prescriptions to help you find the frames and lenses that best suit both your optical needs… and your lifestyle.
“An expert optical dispenser ensures your glasses don’t just look great — they fit perfectly and deliver the vision your eyes deserve.”
An accurate prescription
At Ian Donald Optometrist, our skilled and qualified team put careful consideration into every prescription to ensure it best fits your eyesight and eye health issue. Prescription accuracy is essential to not only help you see better but to ensure you’re not wearing glasses or contact lenses that may actually be harming your eyesight.
After an eye examination, our optometrist might prescribe any type of a wide variety of lenses, including single vision, bifocal, trifocal, progressive or prism correction. Lenses may have additional features such as anti-reflection or UV protection. And we might also suggest highly specialised lenses including our blue lens technology, MiSight 1 Day Contact Lenses or Ortho-K.
A qualified and experienced optical dispenser will interpret your prescription with precision accuracy to ensure you have the exact lenses that you need for enhanced and stable vision – and to help protect your eyes over the long term.
“From lens accuracy to frame comfort, a skilled dispenser makes the difference between wearing glasses and loving them.”
A perfect fit… and look
While an accurate lens prescription is crucial, it’s just part of the equation when it comes to glasses dispensing. Not every pair of frames will automatically fit every customer, so a qualified optical dispenser will carefully adjust your glasses for a perfect fit.
Our optical dispensers spend time with every customer – adults, children and seniors – to make sure your glasses suit the width and shape of your face, sit correctly across the bridge of your nose, and very importantly, that the centre of the lenses align directly with your eyes.
Glasses fitting is important to make sure that your prescription lenses are perfectly comfortable – and that they are doing the perfect job.
Our optical dispensers have years of experience, so they’re also great a finding the pair that best suits your face… and your style.
A tailored solution
At Ian Donald Optometrist, all of our eye care professionals work together to provide high quality and tailored eye health services. So, when you come in for a new pair of glasses or an eye examination, we’ll also make sure that you have a tailored solution that suits you and your lifestyle.
That means our optometrists and optical dispensers will consider your occupation, hobbies and other factors when prescribing and fitting your lenses.
Do you need glasses and play daily sport? Are you in front of a screen all day at work, or regularly outside in the sun? Do you spend hours playing video games? (It’s okay, you can tell us!) We’ll take into account all of these factors to help you find your perfect lens match.
Trained and expert optical dispensers
At Ian Donald Optometrist, our optical dispensers are fully trained, highly experienced and passionate about quality optical dispensing. We know that they’re the unsung heroes of our practice.
With over 60 years of combined experience in the field, they are experts in frames and glasses lenses – every brand, every shape and every material. In the words of one of our senior dispensers:
“We know exactly which frames will work best for single vision, bifocal and multifocal prescriptions, and which frames look great on your face.”
Contact us to meet our expert optical dispensers, and find your next pair of glasses.
Meet the Author
Ian Donald
Optometrist
Ian Donald had a vision.
He was going to become a dentist. It seemed like a good plan, until his careers adviser gave him a brochure on optometry. It opened up a whole new world. The eye intrigued him. It fascinated him. Optometry captivated him. And so his whole focus changed.
Ian went on to do work experience in the very office he owns today. While studying Optometry at the prestigious UNSW, he spent hours working in that same office, doing all the things no one else wanted to do. Filing. Filing. Filing.
Learning, learning, learning. It’s part of who he is.
Even today he is constantly training and retraining, studying and staying up to date with the latest technology in eye health.
So what else energises Ian?
‘Riding my bike, being part of the community, and helping people see. It gives me the best feeling possible. We take it for granted, because we do it all day, every day. It’s such a gift to be able to give people peace of mind.’ Read More
FAQs
What is an optical dispenser and why should I care?
An optical dispenser is a trained professional who interprets your prescription, helps you choose the right frames & lenses for your lifestyle, and ensures your glasses deliver correct vision without causing discomfort.
How does a skilled dispenser make a difference to prescription accuracy?
A qualified optical dispenser at Ian Donald Optometrist ensures your prescription lenses—whether single vision, bifocal, progressive, or prism—are fitted precisely, as detailed on their Optical Dispensers page, reducing the risk of strain or eye health issues
What role does frame fit play in comfort and performance?
According to the Optical Dispensers information, a good dispenser ensures glasses sit properly across the bridge of your nose, the frame width matches your face, and lens centres align with your eyes for comfort and optimal vision.
How do optical dispensers tailor your glasses to your lifestyle?
At Ian Donald Optometrist, dispensers consider your occupation, hobbies (like sports or gaming), amount of screen time, and outdoor exposure when recommending frames and lenses that suit your lifestyle.
What brands and frame choices are available through their optical dispensers?
Their trained team works with leading fashion eyewear brands including Prada, Tom Ford, Mykita, Face a Face, and others—so you can get style + proper fit, as laid out on the Optical Dispensers page.
View BrandsHave questions?
Chat with our team today
Shop 2, 37-39 The Corso,
Manly NSW 2095
Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday - 8.30am to 4.00pm
Ian Donald Optometrist is a private billing practice. Please contact reception for our consultation fee schedule. Medicare and private health insurance rebates apply.
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