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10 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 8, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Properly trained people should perform eye examinations Continued from page 6 As an example, Bergez explained in his court case that he was contacted by a Mr. Buster Kafer to run the Great Glasses chain and that he agreed to run the chain for free. It turns out that the name comes from the name of his dead dog (Buster) and his mother's maiden name (Kafir). The real issue here is the question of supposed professional monopolies. All professionals have a certain monopoly for their services. Engineers have a monopoly. Before a building is built an engineer must review and authorize the blueprints to assure the structure does not collapse. Accountants have a monopoly to do audits. Physicians have a monopoly to do surgery. These monopolies were created because our society has determined that there is a risk to the public good if properly trained people do not perform these services. The advent of computers has not made an engineers or accountants job obsolete. Computers and automation have made a physician's or dentist's job more efficient. Just because we have automated blood pressure machines does not make an untrained person qualified to interpret the results. As well these professions are governed by government sanctioned bodies to assure their members comply with a strict set of rules, again to protect the public. This brings me to the issue in the Great Glasses case. The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) lists 13 controlled acts. These acts or services are deemed potentially harmful if not performed by a trained professional. Two of these controlled acts are the prescribing of glasses and the dispensing of glasses. Whether the measurement is done by a computer or manually is not the question. It is understanding what to do with the numbers that counts and not the method of collection. An eye examination is performed to rule out an underlying reason as to why the eye and visual system is performing as it does. By giving equal space to Bergez to rebut the first article, you do a disservice to the public. Shame on you. DR. LARRY SHELDON OPTOMETRIST Season's Greetings The Management and Staff of TERRA Greenhouses would like to thank all of our customers for their patronage. We look forward to helping decorate your holiday home and to assisting you with all of your gardening needs in the New Year. May one and all have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year! www.terragreenhouses.com 905-332-3222 Burlington Waterdown 905-689-1999 905-876-4000 Milton 905-832-6955 Vaughan 7 DAYS A WEEK! Spot! Since 1952 Save 25% Bottle o removerf spot each ordwith er! FREE!