AOA member advocates to expand emergency training access for optometrists

Philip Nicholson, O.D., and his wife, Kathy, a licensed physical therapist, are self-described “safety conscious” recreational scuba divers. “Being older divers,” Dr. Nicholson says, “we are careful to understand the risks of diving.” 

Having already passed courses on first aid, CPR, and oxygen administration, the couple enrolled in Stop the Bleed, a program supported by the U.S. Department of Defense and the American College of Surgeons that provides training to control severe bleeding to an injured person. 

“While rare, traumatic injuries do happen in the diving community,” Dr. Nicholson says. “When we get on a boat to go diving, we want to be self-sufficient and not totally dependent on the boat operator in case of emergency.” 

After passing the course, the Nicholsons hoped to share what they learned as instructors for Stop the Bleed. But while physical therapy, Kathy’s occupation, was listed among the health care professions that qualified to become instructors, optometry was not. 

“I believe this exclusion may stem from a misconception that optometrists are not true health care providers,” Dr. Nicholson says, “despite our extensive medical training, licensure and role in primary eye care, which often involves managing ocular emergencies and collaborating with other health care professionals.” 

Dr. Nicholson decided to do something about his disappointment. He sent a letter to Stop the Bleed in an effort to remedy the exclusion of optometrists as approved health care providers. “As an optometrist, I am passionate about improving community health and safety,” he wrote. “Traumatic injuries causing severe bleeding are a leading cause of preventable death, and the Stop the Bleed program addresses this critical issue.” 

By becoming a Stop the Bleed instructor, Dr. Nicholson wrote, he aimed to leverage his role as a trusted health care provider to deliver the training, helping to equip more laypeople with the skills to act as immediate responders in emergency situations. “Optometrists’ accessibility as primary care providers positions us to disseminate this training widely, particularly in underserved areas,” he wrote. “Our expertise in educating patients on complex health topics translates seamlessly to teaching Stop the Bleed’s practical techniques.” 

Dr. Nicholson also contacted the AOA about optometrists’ exclusion from the Stop the Bleed list of health professionals qualified to teach its training. In response, AOA President Jacquie M. Bowen, O.D., sent a letter to the program’s coordinator requesting optometrists be included. 

“Doctors of optometry are uniquely qualified to teach Stop the Bleed due to their expertise in patient education, clinical decision-making, and emergency care,” Dr. Bowen wrote. “Including doctors of optometry in your eligibility criteria would expand the program’s impact, reaching more communities with life-saving training.” 

Due to these efforts, Stop the Bleed adjusted its policy to allow doctors of optometry to be instructors for the program. Doctors of optometry will officially be added as approved health care professionals. 

“It meant a lot to me that the AOA lent their support,” Dr. Nicholson says. “We’ve made great strides in gaining recognition as true medical providers, but we still have more work to do. I urge my colleagues to keep your eyes open and look for these subtle discriminations toward our profession.”