Paraoptometric Certification Newsletter
from the AOA Commission on Paraoptometric Certification

In This Issue

• Message from the Chair
• CPC Announces 2004 Schedule
• Market Yourself
• Ask the Expert
• Volunteer Opportunities
• What's New
• Congrats!
• Sponsor Recognition

Message from the Chair

This has been a hallmark year for the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification and all paraoptometrics. The state, regional, and individuals have made a tremendous impact upon certification nation-wide. At this point in our organization, more programs are asking for AOA paraoptometric certification, more optometrists are requesting information to train their staff members on how to be certified, and more individuals want to be certified. This has been a great year and by the end of the year we will have doubled the number of certified members from a year ago.

So, what’s new? The CPC is writing a guide for state and regional organizations that will streamline the process for hosting AOA Paraoptometric Certification exams. One of our main areas of focus is to get the test where you need it. A Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct has been written and will be available soon. The written examinations were totally rewritten based on the task analysis survey sent to certified individuals earlier this year. Now, the commission is confident that the exams reflect accurately the skills and knowledge required to meet the requirements of a particular certification level.

Our AOA staff have been very busy processing over 300 applications for the fall testing cycle. The need and purpose of certification is getting out. The CPC is also including a survey in every exam booklet beginning in 2004. We want your suggestions and comments concerning the entire certification exam process.

We are excited for the upcoming year and Optometry’s Meeting in Orlando, please plan to attend and bring your family for a time of education and fun in Florida. I would personally like to thank everyone that has spent any time in advancing Paraoptometric certification.

On behalf of the entire Commission on Paraoptometric Certification and staff, happy holidays!

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CPC Announces 2004 Schedule

Download an examination application and handbook for candidates from the AOA web site!

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Market Yourself!

Congratulations, you’ve worked hard to earn your CPO, CPOA or CPOT certification. You have proven that you have what it takes to excel! Tell everyone including your doctors, patients, family and friends of your commitment, accomplishments and expertise.

Here are some ways to communicate your accomplishment:

• Always wear your CPO, CPOA or CPOT pin to your job
• Proudly display your certificate where patients can see it
• When signing your name, include your credentials
• Introduce yourself to patients by using your name and title of Certified Paraoptometric, Certified
  Paraoptometric Assistant, or a Certified Paraoptometric Technician
• Familiarize your doctor and coworkers of the importance of AOA Paraoptometric Certification
• Make a presentation about certification at your next state (or local) paraoptometric meeting
• Participate in career fairs and inform people about paraoptometry and AOA Paraoptometric Certifica-
  tion
• Help your coworkers study for their certification exam
• Write a short article for your state optometric or paraoptometric newsletter about the importance of
  certification

Has anyone asked you what certification is? Here are some responses that may help you:

• I have met nationally recognized standards for providing excellence in patient eye care
• Professional recognition of expertise in my career
• I have taken the extra steps to demonstrate my commitment to patient eye care
• Recognition of my commitment to quality eye care

If you have any suggestions, be sure to email the CPC so we can share these with other certified paraoptometrics.

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Ask the Expert

Ask the expert is a new item that will be included in every issue of the CPC Newsletter. The CPC welcomes your questions and urge you to submit your questions to CPC@aoa.org.

Question: How does the use of the Pachymeter help in the diagnosis of glaucoma?

Answer: The pachymeter, also known as the pachometer, is used to measure corneal thickness. Essentially, a thick cornea can cause an elevated intraocular pressure while a thin cornea may indicate an incorrect or false low reading. Research studies have revealed that ocular hypertensive patients have thicker corneas. Consequently, it is possible to make a better assessment of glaucoma risk with the knowledge of corneal thickness. Comparison charts can be viewed and compared with patient findings. It must be remembered, however, that other diagnostic tests are equally if not more important, such as the study of the optic nerve in ophthalmoscopy and visual fields.

A technician can easily learn to operate the pachymeter. Most pachymeters can be moved from one location to another, and a battery operated model would be completely portable. Good contact with the cornea is important, performing multiple readings at the apex (thinnest part of the cornea).

There are several internet articles on pachymetry (keyword). The Paraoptometric is advised to seek information on this instrument and its multiple uses.

Notice: Responses printed in the “Ask the Expert” column are the opinion of one individual and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification.

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Volunteer Opportunities

“Completing My Career as a Professional”
By Cheryl Bruce, BA, CPOT

As I think back on my professional career in vision care, I have to admit that I don’t have any regrets. I still have passion for the patients. I still marvel at the miracle of sight and I still remember my firsts. The first time I made a patient’s glasses and they worked. The first time I adjusted a pair of glasses and the patient walked out happy. The first time a parent thanked me for helping their child.

There were other firsts of course, when the doctor yelled at me for not finding a chart. When the doctor yelled at me for not verifying a prescription correctly and when a patient yelled at me about their bill or scolded me for not getting that temple adjustment “just right”.

But of all the “firsts” that I have experienced, I remember the times that I went outside the office and experienced the true meaning of service. As an SCCO graduate, I remember trips to Bishop California Indian reservation, trips to Tijuana Mexico to the orphanages, volunteering at school screenings, volunteering on the weekends to help with Vision USA patients and summer hours spent down at our local Union Gospel Mission, where doctors like Dr. Walt Michaelis continue to donate time giving eye exams to the transient population or to those patients that have fallen through the cracks of our social and health system. I not only received more than I gave in support from patients, but working along side 3rd and 4th yr. optometry students and local doctors of optometry, I developed a new found respect for the doctors who gave freely of their time. I have made friendships with these colleagues that will last forever. If you are not sure that optometry has the best professionals, then volunteer some time with these outstanding professional men and women.

Out of all of these life experiences, the most memorable was the time I volunteered to go with our VOSH Northwest Association to Honduras, Central America. One of my life changing moments happened there when I was dispensing to a petite little lady. I have dispensed and adjusted thousands of glasses, but to have a woman, who could have been my grandmother, exclaim with tears in her eyes that she now could see - this was way beyond any experience that I could ever remember. She could now see to do her embroidery and that gave her back her ability to make a living. What was even more marvelous is the fact that she gave me credit, not just the doctor. It was my skill that she appreciated. My skills as a technician no longer were just to help the doctor, but were appreciated for what they did - allowing a person to see the world through lenses that were comfortable. I really had no idea how valuable I could be until that moment. At that moment, tears came to my eyes.

I now teach at a Vision Care Technology Program. I love sharing the opportunity with people who haven’t experienced worthy skills in their lifetime. I now recognize the fact that some people never really take the opportunity to touch other human beings. I can’t encourage my colleagues or my students enough to take the opportunity given by being in this profession. Volunteering is the most rewarding time you will give to this profession. There are so many opportunities to give and feel worthwhile in this profession. A few opportunities I’ve found are listed below:

Local grade school screenings - This is probably one of the easiest opportunities. Both Red Cross volunteers as well as PTO volunteers run our area grade school screenings. It is a requirement in our state that these screenings be done at several grade levels. It is also easy to contact the school nurse to coordinate your volunteer efforts.

Don’t forget to look for Preschool screening activities. This is a great opportunity to affect a child’s life.

Local nursing home adjustments, repair and eyeglass cleanings - This can be a sad as well as joyous experience. America has a long way to go to show respect and give a sense of dignity to many of our older Americans. I have felt the joy of seeing a bed-ridden non-communicative adult turn into a thankful expressive human being when all I did was fix their glasses so they could see. Imagine how you would feel if you couldn’t see who was trying to talk with you. You probably wouldn’t talk either.

Lions Clubs Vision Screenings - Our local Lions Club begs for volunteers when the regional vision screening van moves through our town. Most doctors belong to a service organization and are more than willing to have qualified help volunteer to screen in the different neighborhoods.

Local or Regional Blind Foundations - Through a grant, we have a local Blind Foundation that depends on volunteers to help train and teach those individuals who are born blind or have become blind due to retinal disease. They are always looking for people who will help these people learn how to maintain their independent living. It may include on-site or home training, Braille dictation or checking in materials from local associations.

Local Glaucoma Screenings - Last Saturday, a local clinic was asking for volunteers to help with a Senior Citizens’ community day. There they had an opportunity to screen people whose best acuity was many times 20/40. Our seniors are so fearful of losing their eyesight. Many equate death with blindness. It is so rewarding to reassure these patients to get annual eye exams to make sure this doesn’t happen.

VISION USA - I was lucky enough to volunteer to serve with this national effort and work with selfless individuals such as Carol Glick and Dr. Michael Roth. It was my previous experience with VOSH that spurred me to volunteer at the AOA level. This national effort made by AOA unites both eye doctors, staff and lab volunteers to give to those less fortunate.

Christian Medical Association Screenings - I came across this organization when both an ophthalmologist and optometrist were looking for volunteers to go into areas without medical or vision care. By uniting both ophthalmology and optometry, both surgery and eyeglasses can be offered to those less fortunate. These may be headed up by Save the Children or VOSH.

AOA Sports Vision Screenings - This is one of my personal goals to do. I have been tempted for so long to volunteer to screen eyes of the athletes at the Olympics, Jr. Olympics and Special Olympics. I have been intrigued by contact lens organizations such as Vistakon and Bausch and Lomb that have given many sporting events corporate support. Why not offer your skills at golf, tennis and junior soccer events?

VOSH International - Finally, this organization that I feel so grateful to for offering me the opportunity to understand the gift of sight. Please look up on the VOSH web page your local or regional chapter. www.vosh.org

Here is a short list of international and service volunteer opportunities that can be found on the World Wide Web :

International Eye Health Missions

• http://home.nc.rr.com/tomdavismph/ (International Eye Foundation).
• http://www.vosh.org (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity. Mission description, photos)

Volunteer Service Organization for Eye Care.

• http://www.aoa.org American Optometric Association web site with information on why Americans need to take care of their eyes.
• http://www.eyesovertexas.com Volunteer Work in Ophthalmology field.
• http://www.richmondeye.com Interesting site about eye care.
• http://www.vision-international.org/askthedoctor.htm Info about volunteers, what they do, their mission, 5 leading causes of blindness (cataract, glaucoma, trachoma, vitamin A deficiency), good description with photos.
• http://www.aao.org/aao/member/policy/vets.cfm Volunteer opportunities, eyecare, and jobs.

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What's New

The Commission on Paraoptometric Certification has instituted new criteria for the CPOA applicants. Now, paraoptometrics who have been working in the field five years, or who have taken advanced certifications, can now bypass the Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) examination. Candidates can skip the entry level by providing either proof of five years or more of experience. The employer must attest to the experience by completing the CPOA Reference Form (available on the website), or by substituting an advanced current certification from the American Board of Opticianry, the National Contact Lens Examiners, or the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. Documentation will be required.

So, what else? The website has been updated and expanded to include all forms, applications, and candidate handbooks in an easy to download format. Please note that all handbooks for candidates for the upcoming year will only be available in this manner. Should you not have access to the internet, please contact the CPC office and we will accommodate your requests for you.

The CPO Study Guide is in the process of being updated to include a mini-quiz after each chapter. The “new” version will be available on a CD in late winter. Did you miss a copy of the Certification newsletter? Just connect to the website for all archived copies of past newsletters. Coming this Spring! A directory of all certified paraoptometrics will be added to the website for your convenience.

Look how we have grown thanks to your support of paraoptometry!

AOA Certified Paraoptometrics

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Congrats!

CONGRATULATIONS to the new Certified Paraoptometrics (CPO’s) listed below. Each passed the CPO examination between July and October, 2003:

* - Indicates previously passed exam but omitted from previous listings.

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Sponsorship Recognition

CIBA Vision has sponsored the AOA Paraoptometric Certification program for three consecutive years and has committed to the fourth year. This program owes its success to the volunteers and the generous sponsorship of CIBA Vision.