New-York tribune., 1900-12-09
OCULIST, OPTICI4N, OPTICIST.
THE MOST SCIENTIFIC SERVICE Is BY THE
OPTICIST. WHO UNDERSTANDS BOTH THE
EYE AND oPHTHALAIIC LENSES.

EYE AND OPHTHALMIC LENSES
There is a discussion being carried on between
the oculists. or eye physicians. on the one hand.
and the makers of glasses the other as TO tie
propriety of the patient submitting his eyes
the other Of these two classes for scientific
animation and subsequent prescription Each has
powerful arguments TO adduce: each claiming TO be
actuated only by the highest motive-the wellbeing
OF the patient-and yet they arrive Numerically
opposite conclusions Probably the truth lies some
where between the two.
AS a preliminary TO summing up the arguments
pro and con. II may be we'll to start at the too
fruitful origin OF many wordy contests. the ac-
cepted meanings of the words themselves. "ocu-
list" "opucian" and "opticist." According to mod
dictionaries the words declined as follows:
oculist-A physician whose speciality Is diseases
OF the eye. OphthamolGglst.
Opueian-One who makes or sells optical glasses
opticist-A person skilled or engaged in the study
9t oRuGs e. TN taaT DTsnGn OF OF & physical scenes
mirrors, Of the construction Of the eye and the
These three unbiased definitions seem to clear
the ground wonderfully and resolve the question
into merely one OF knowledge or ignorance OF the
The oculist Is she physician whose study Is the
eye eye IA. and ITS diseases He NAV. II exceptionally
skilfnl examine the eye, ascertain its conditions
ment Rut right here his provincs tsTr,,st i,S 1a
He has not and It might almost be said cannot.
nave the intfnate EXPERT knowledge Of mathe-
mates which would enable him TO understan ndnsIy
cope with the most complicated optical disturban
OF vision In such cases ne is unable TO detect the
.tLe coneiIon oeI1g ignorant OF the optical prin-
3Giplees which should be applied In any event. he
sasSes mus dvlding the responsibility, which cften
results in disappointment 20 all concerned
lenses OF whose ultimate effects upon the eve he
knows little and cares less He may with safety
Complete competence Is evidently lacking. when
y takes botn ocglst and optician 70 produce sat
lsfacIory pair or spectacles. Obviously II perfect
spectaces are required their construction must be
based upon optical not mere medical, skill so
tndt the best results should be secured when the
lenses are prescribed designed and made under the
Right here we see the vantage ground held by the
oeucistLa person skilled or engaged in the study
OF optics and the further definition OF optics.
the e word Is here used. being the science which
TOTS or the construction of the eye and the laws OF
only properly examine and correctly diagnose the
condition Of the eyes submitted TO htn-thanks to
the laws Of vision"-but could scientifcaIiv and
practically prescribe the lenses which would coun-
teract that condluoL-thanks TO his expert acduan-
lance lance with the properties Of light, lenses and
Now. OF course this definition OF an opticist be-
lore quoted refers 10 properly educated opticist
concerned, Mr.. Charles F. Prentice. NJ E. No us
brSoadway, seems to be the only one at present 70
hoId thls eminently unique position. He was grad
Gated in 1874 from the Royal Poiytechnicuni al
study devoted TO mathematics mechanics. physics
ana especially optics, and since his return to this
on subjects connected With his profession He is
the a1thor OF work, "Ophthalmic Lenses" which
Is sdld 10 be the most complete and illus
uated book on this special subject ever published %
RESIDES this ne mas contributed papers to various
Sclentinc publications and associations from 1856 10
The present time His Prism-DioptraI System. pub
ished In New-York and Berlin In 1890 was indorsed
oy the American Medical Association in 1881. and
subsequently universally adopted by American op-
teal nufacturers. -
Mr Prentice's system OF eye examination IS
equally original, and differs so widely from the
method generally followed by oculists that many
persons OF wide experience attest TO his having
succeeded in providing satisfactory glasses where
others had failed. The testimonials to such facts
IN his possession au-
sta
to admit any douht OF their authenticity. In fact
one Endorsement Is signed by many and such
Well known New-Yorkers that II might almost be
taken for roster of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr.. Prentice Is beyond all question a peer among
the authorities on eyesght-The Journalist.