Complete Story
07/23/2026
New Perspectives with Hani Sadic
I had the opportunity to talk with Hani Sadic, an optician and practice owner from Parma, Ohio. - John Bruening
Hi Hanni, it’s great to see you again, as our careers have crossed paths quite a few times since we’ve been opticians.
How did you get involved in the optical profession?
Thank you for having me. I have always wanted to work with my hands. I picked dental lab or opticianry programs in college and after talking to professionals from both professions, I decided to join the Opticianry Program at Cuyahoga Community College and graduated in 1984. I have been dual license ever since. I have a degree in Mechanical Optics, Dispensing Optician and took and studied Refraction.
How long have you been a member of the OAO?
I have been a member with the OAO for the last 4 years to support and be of help for Opticians if and when needed.
As you look back on your career, Is there one experience or patient that sticks out from others?
There are two incidences that happened in the same day about 30 minutes apart. One patient came in for an eye exam and glasses (driving without glasses for over 2 months) with a -6.50D /-2.00 cyl and when I asked her if she wants me to rush the glasses, she said “no, I can see OK and will wait till I get the glasses”. Two patients later we had a gentleman that had a fit because he wanted the glasses made while he waited because he could not see to function at work or drive. I assumed he has a heavy Rx. After his exam, his Rx was -0.5 in one eye and -0.25D /-0.25 cyl in the other eye.
What is the biggest positive change you’ve seen in the optical field since you’ve been an optician?
The biggest positive change I’ve seen in the optical field is the amount of improvement to the optical goods from lenses design, lens and frame materials to frame selections and also lab equipment.
What is one of the more negative changes you’ve seen?
The worst (negative) change in the optical field is got to be the acquisition of optical offices by large companies to monopolize the entire industry from frame and lens manufacturing to acquiring most of the optical labs nationwide and also owning the manufacturing of optical equipment required in the making of optical lenses and frames. This monopoly put a lot of independent opticians as well as Optometrists out of business and affected the consumer in a very bad way.
If you had a magic wand and could make a change in the optical field, what would it be?
If I have a magic wand, I would pass legislations and even laws in each State (or Federally) to disallow large companies from acquiring other companies to stop monopolizing the market. I would say no one entity / company should own more than 20% of an industry in a State (especially when one entity purchases another and keep the same name to give the impression that it is different company). Also if an entity does own more than 20% of an industry in one State, then it should be divided and become public companies to prevent monopoly and to protect consumers.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start their own practice?
To start own practice these days is very hard. It is very difficult to compete with large monopolizing companies. But if you really want to start own practice then you must research and acquire reasonably priced sources and suppliers for your practice so you can still make a profit.
What can you tell us about yourself that most readers wouldn't know?
I was born in Jordan and came to the US as an immigrant. I had an Optical license in California by the Medical Board, also had real estate License in Ohio and California and a licensed Loan Officer with finance. I supervised and ran 68 offices in 5 states for 10 years. I trained opticians for the ABO exam. I own my own optical office and optical lab. I like to draw and Woodburn. I try to see God in every person and treat them accordingly.
Any final thoughts?
Finally, I travelled a lot. Ohio is the best State to be in and call home. People in Ohio are simple, genuine and warm and deserve the best. God Bless.
