10th Hour: Cataracts

On May 9th we went through so many patients. Most were older patients coming in for check ups. I wasn't able to be present for all by request of the patients. Though I did get to see a woman with a cataract. It was intriguing to see what it actually looked like in real life. At first I did not want to see it because I was afraid it would be gross. When I saw it I was surprised that I wasn't grossed out. It's just an odd-looking spot in the pupil.

9th Hour

(Continuing May 6th)
Before leaving for the day I had to make sure that the exam room was ready for the next day. Anything that was not wiped down before had to be cleaned. All equipment used throughout the day had to be put away. After everything was done I hung up my coat. After a long day in the office I couldn't imagine how it would be like to come and work with patients everyday. Young and old patients, both needing different types of attention.  It's a tough job and I'm just starting to realize it.

8th Hour: More Shadowing

(Continuing May 6th)
The next patient was a little boy who was very nervous. He did not want to enter the exam room and was near tears. We had to tell him that we wouldn't use the "big scary stuff" as he called. When he finally agreex to enter the exam room we had to move aside the big machinery used regularly for patients. Instead Dr. Penn gave the boy a pair of odd-looking glasses. He actually thought they were really "cool". It fascinated me how Dr. Penn had to change attitude from when he worked with older people.  He smiled a lot more and he was a bit more energetic. In the end of the appointment the boy said he wasn't scared of the doctor's office anymore. Well, at least not the eye clinic. He ended up getting a prescription for glasses. He was then sent on his way to the optician. 

7th Hour: Cleaning

(Continuing May 6th)
After a few patients, I assisted in cleaning the exam room. I learned that everything must be sterile and as clean as can be. I also learned how to handle the equipment used for exams. I was afraid that I would break the equipment if I handled it the wrong way. My mentor said, "they're tools, you play around with them," and after that I wasn't worried about damaging anything. During this time I also got to know my mentor on a more personal level and learned that doctors are more interesting and down to earth than they look.

6th Hour

(Continuing May 6th)
This day was a really busy day on the 5th floor. Patient after patient kept coming and going. Most of them were older. Let me tell you, older folks like to come extraordinarily early to their appointments. On the second hour of my visit, there was a patient who was losing eyesight due to diabetes. This really caught my attention because my grandfather has diabetes and he too is losing eyesight from diabetes. Though, by the patient's choice, I could not stay in the room through the entire appointment.

5th Hour: Exam Room

On May 6th I shadowed my mentor as he checked a patient's eyes. The patient was much older than most patients. I noticed that my mentor had to be more gentle and patient when working with older patients. Everything that involved explaining had to be done in a simpler way than with younger patients. I learned that when working with people, one must have patience.

4th Hour: Keep Educated

On February 7th, I found out that being an Optometrist is not all fun and games. Besides meeting with patients and going to meetings, there is much more to do. My mentor told me that one has to keep educated about the field they work in. He explained that research and discoveries that were found decades ago and even years ago may be outdated. My mentor had me read a couple chapters of multiple books to help educate me about eyes. He had me read about normal ocular health, common ocular conditions, and uncommon ocular conditions.