Volume 6, Issue 30│July 29, 2022
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Recognizing Our Paraoptometrics |
Looking Ahead--Paraoptometric Appreciation Month is in September
Paraoptometrics are critical to the success of our work, as they assist us in providing outstanding vision care for our patients. These professionals set the tone from the minute a patient walks in the door.
In September for Paraoptometric Awareness Month, we want to share your stories about your outstanding paraoptometric staff, and why they are shining stars in your office.
Did you know that as members of the American Optometric Association your membership includes enrollment for your staff as associate members?
Outstanding staff efforts drive quality care; when patients are satisfied, they continue to come back. The AOA philosophy behind Paraoptometric Month is Recognize. Reward. Retain.
According to the AOA, in 1978, a group of office workers, assistants, and technicians defined a bourgeoning profession. Forty years later, paraoptometric professionals are integral to the delivery of quality eye care.
Please help us tell your story by sending your stories about paraoptometrics at the link below.
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Register for the IOA Annual Meeting!
September 29-October 2
We hope you will be able to join us for the 2022 Annual Meeting in Springfield, IL, taking place September 29 - October 2, 2022.
Optometrists can earn up to 18 hours of CE at the Annual Meeting. All courses except the workshops are available tested, so attendees can complete all tested hours in one weekend. Paraoptometrics can earn ten hours of CE over two days. Attendees can browse the Exhibit Hall on Saturday and Sunday to explore all the latest in the ophthalmic world. You will not want to miss this year's Annual Meeting!
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2022 Optometrist and Young Optometrist of the Year Awards -
Submit Your Nominations by August 15
Do you know an outstanding optometrist who should be recognized for their efforts in the field of optometry? Consider nominating them for the 2022 Optometrist of the Year or Young Optometrist of the Year awards. The Optometrist of the Year award recognizes an individual for performance of outstanding services on behalf of the profession and to the visual welfare of the public. The Young Optometrist of the Year award recognizes an optometrist who, within their first decade of practice, has shown leadership skills when serving their profession, their patients, and their community.
A nomination may be made by a member in good standing or by a society. Nominees must be current members of the IOA. Nominations for each award should be submitted online via the links below. A typed statement, not to exceed 2,000 words, should accompany the nomination explaining the primary reason the nominee should be named as the award recipient. A head and shoulders photograph must be included with the nomination. Nominations must be submitted by August 15, 2022.
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Summer 2022 Journal Out Now!
The Summer 2022 Journal is now available online! Click the link below to read the newest IOA Journal.
JOURNAL HIGHLIGHTS:
- The President Speaks: IOA President & Chair Tim Cundiff, OD
- Annual Meeting 2022
- Updates from CCO & ICO
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Report illegal and unsafe contact lens sales to the FDA & FTC
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2022 Medicare Fee Schedules
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IOA members attended an event for incumbents and candidates running for Congress on Sunday, July 24, in Chicago at the Ivy Room. |
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Dr. Erik Mothersbaugh, Illinois State Representative Candidate Hoan Huynh and Dr. Vince Brandys |
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Aleksandra Czyz, Nikki Budzinski, Dr. Connor Robbs and Dr. Vince Brandys
U.S. Congressman Danny Davis poses for a photograph with Dr. Stephanie Johnson-Brown
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Get to Know IOA Board Member: Krystina "Glimmer" Eubanks, O.D.
What Dr. Eubanks loves most about her job:
"Making personal connections with patients and I love taking care of families and watching kids grow up and excel in school, sports, college and life."
Advice for new optometrists?
"Find a group of colleagues who you connect with and who you feel comfortable asking questions to! I have two group messages with two different groups of docs who are always ready to offer help, advice or a good laugh."
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Jordan Fisher Opens up About His History of Eye Injuries (Exclusive)
Popculture.com
Jordan Fisher is a successful actor, singer, dancer, and gamer who continues to ascend in Hollywood. But the 28-year-old has also become an advocate for eye health as he has a history of eye injuries. In an exclusive interview with PopCulture.com, Fisher talked about how he has partnered with the American Optometric Association to stress the importance of getting your eyes checked.
"I hate that my sustaining a couple of eye injuries really is what was my wake-up call, but let that be a lesson onto others, hopefully, that you don't have to sustain something to prevent eye damage or anything along those lines later," Fisher exclusively told PopCulture. "It's multiple parts in 2022, we are all in front of screens just period. We're doing it now currently, it's just what we are. It's how we live, it's where all of our entertainment is. It's on our phone, it's on a tablet, it's on a PC, it's on a monitor, it's on a TV, in a movie theater. That's what we're doing these days."
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Black Patients Found Six Times More Likely to Have Advanced Vision Loss After Glaucoma Diagnosis Than White Patients
Mount Sinai study could prompt earlier and increased screening for this population to prevent blindness
New York, NY (July 25, 2022) Black patients have a dramatically higher risk of advanced vision loss after a new diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) when compared to white patients, according to a new study from New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE).
The work, published July 25 in Translational Vision Science and Technology, shows that being of African heritage is an independent risk factor for this drastic decline in vision, and should prompt more eye screening in this population for early glaucoma detection. This is the first study to use an artificial intelligence algorithm to break down visual field loss in new-onset glaucoma cases among United States-based population groups.
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Check out the newest IOA classifieds here!
We are looking for kid-friendly optometrists to work in the Chicago Public School (CPS) School-Based Vision Program (Read more)
We are a two-location private practice providing exceptional eye care services to the Manhattan and Peotone areas (Read more)
Looking for a friendly optometrist 2 days/week (preferably Wed & Fri, but can be flexible). (Read more)
Private Practice in Dekalb, IL looking for fill-in OD to cover medical leave ASAP. (Read more)
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Monkeypox cases in Illinois surpass 300 as big summer festivals approach
Health officials look to raise awareness ahead of large outdoor events like Lollapalooza and Market Days.
The number of monkeypox cases in Illinois jumped by more than 100 in just three days, and local health officials are stepping up efforts to raise awareness ahead of large outdoor festivals like Lollapalooza and Market Days.
Confirmed cases identified in Illinois stood at 344 on Monday, up from the 238 cases reported on Friday, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Illinois accounts for about 10% of the 3,487 known cases in the U.S., and the state has the third-highest total, behind New York and California. The first probable case of monkeypox in Chicago was reported on June 2.
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AOA President Resigns Citing Personal Reasons
Citing personal reasons, James P. DeVleming, O.D., has resigned as AOA president. After being informed, the AOA Board of Trustees met and designated Robert C. Layman, O.D., of Ohio (AOA president 2021-22) to serve as president. In fulfillment of a bylaws requirement related to positional vacancies on the board, William T. Reynolds, O.D., of Kentucky, past president of the AOA (2021-22) and chair of the Advocacy Executive Committee, will serve as trustee until the scheduled elections are held next June during Optometry's Meeting® 2023 in Washington, D.C.
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HHS Announces Historic Investment of Over $49 Million to Increase Health Care Coverage for Children, Parents, and Families
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), today awarded $49 million to organizations on the frontlines of reducing uninsured rates and connecting more children, parents, and families to health care coverage. In support of President Biden’s Executive Orders on Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s priority of expanding access to affordable, quality health care, these awards represent the largest investment CMS has ever made in outreach and enrollment through the Connecting Kids to Coverage program.
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World Council of Optometry and Alcon Partner on Dry Eye Disease Education Initiative
Global program designed to raise optometrists’ understanding of dry eye prevalence, diagnosis, and management.
ST. LOUIS — The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have partnered to form a global, evidence-based dry eye disease education initiative designed to raise optometrists’ understanding of dry eye etiology and prevalence, diagnosis, and practical management. Dry eye disease is a chronic, painful condition that impacts 1.4 billion people worldwide, with reports of increased occurrence aligning with notable factors such as increasing use of technology, environmental triggers, and an aging population.
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THANK YOU TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS! |
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