Technology is constantly changing in the optical world. While sometimes new technology is better for our patients, it isn’t always the perfect option to push the newest achievements for our patients as eye care professionals. There are many things we as professionals must understand to best achieve our patients’ needs, availability of product, lifestyle choices of our patients, and probably most important to a lot of people, cost. Giving our patients the most cost efficient option while also trying to maximize technology to fit our patients lifestyles and prescriptions should be one of the most important things as professionals we must think about. My name is Mathew Focht and I am an Optician Apprentice licensed in Nevada working at Sam’s Club. One of the core principles I have always been taught working with the general public is that we need to make sure our customers, our members or our patients leave happy or in a better mood than they originally came in. We are the last person these individuals will be dealing with before leaving, potentially for good. It is one of the things I continuously push and strive to achieve while working in my store’s optical department. Whether it is simple nose pad replacements, or complete repair of eyeglasses that were torn up by the family dog. I always look for ways to make my patients’ experience with us a success story that they can brag about. My goal for being an Optician is to make people happy and smile when they see us as professionals. I plan to do this by pushing for better pricing on ophthalmic wear, showing patients how different technology affects their prescriptions, but most importantly giving patients the most bang for their buck. No reason to be selling high end tech when either the patient clearly doesn’t want it or their prescription doesn’t justify it. We aren’t sleazy salesman, we are healthcare professionals and I want to make our patients trust us in everything we do. If we don’t, they won’t trust us or our peers in the future. Working with my team to learn the ups and downs of every part of the optical field has been one of my favorite activities in recent years. And learning from three of the best professionals I have met allows me to mold their methods into my own to best achieve patient care. Eyeglasses aren’t just a piece of plastic, they do tell a story. About the patients wearing them, the doctor who prescribed them, and to the optician who fitted them. Our goals should always be about being the good story, never a bad one. Making everyone happy has always been my life goal, and being in the optical field has shown me how much we can do. I appreciate every patient that walks in and I hope to make them leave satisfied with my service to them. Always over deliver everything we promise.