Page 6 Advertisements Column 2

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2000, 16 December 1921, Page 6

Chinese were the first opticians. They arc supposed to have made glasses over two thousand years ago. But the earliest record we have of white people making glasses is from the end of the 13th century by an Italian priest named Sylvinla Armatti. He simply states that convex glasses are found useful for old people when reading. The .science of the subject was not understood. What actual effect glasses had on the eye nobody krew and few cared. The sale of glasses was made, We might say, from a basket; the customer selecting what seemed to suit best. No one thought that if they were selecting too strong the natural focussing power of the eye would be thrown out of action and the sight rapidly become worse, and if too weak, eyestrain would result. The blacksmith in those days became skilled in removing foreign bodies from the eye. In course, of time lie was regarded as an authority. When glasses did not seem 1o suit; the village smith was consulted. Even to. day, some people consult the pedlar who goes from door to door. During the last century, the science of optics was taken up in earnest. The wonderful mechanism of the eye became understood and the whole theory of the science was within reach of students. It was found that not only convex glasses were required to correct defective vision. but also concave lenses were required by some, while others required a plus or minus glass with power in one direction only to correct astigmatism. Then again others rerequire a prism. This is a glass with its two flat surfaces not parallel, and some require a combination of two or three glasses. These combinations run into so many thousands of different kinds that it is impossible for any firm to stock them. They have to be made when required. It is quite possible for an opti. cian to make a lens for a customer that has not been made in the history of the world nor will bo again. In about 1596 the first Optical Association was formed. There Avere many students who had taken up the science in earnest and felt that they should stand alone as opticians quite apart from the men who practised as a sideline and knew little of the subject. To-day the'opticians are divided, one man becoming expert in the manufacture of 'lenses and the other expert at sight, testing. Few firms try to seek a man with a thorough knowledge of both these branches. They are satisfied to have an expert mechanic or expert refractionist. For many years sight. testing was done with a test-ease and optical charts, the operator selecting for the patient the" glasses that seem to suit best. In most cases it was guess work but it was the best method known. Since the invention of the visoptometre this method is not sight-testing. The .smallest child or a deaf and dumb person can have his eyes tested accurately by an expert without the use of the oid-fashioncd test charts. Our Mr Russell has had twenty-six years experience. He started like the rest with the test-charts but after several years as a tutor of the science he became convinced that the method he was teaching was open to many errors. , He earnestly took up the practise of the visoptometre and eventually became an expert. ' If your eyes are defective make an appointment and consult him. If a surgeon's skill is necessary he will advise you and if glasses are required you will have perfect ease and comfort not only now but in years to come. Consulting hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.n\ &USSELL AND INNES, MANUFACTURING OPTICIANS. RANGITIKEI STREET. 'Phone 1241. Rangitikei Street, (Netxt Bank of N.Z.) Palmerston N.

XMAS AND 'NEW YEAR HAMPERS. ►LACE your order with us now for ■*■ that Xmas and New Year jiamper. Wc stock olily the best brands of Wines, Spirits and Ales at reasonable' prices. Xmas Hampers made up to suit individual requirements. We deliver to all party of the borouph free. M. R. GABRIEL AND CO., Wholesale Wine & Spirit Merchants, CHURCH ST. (Opposite Grand Hotel) 'Phone 472.

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