Diseases and Conditions
Appreciating optometry’s value to patients with diabetes and their primary care physicians
The American Diabetes Association® (ADA) reported, in time for National Diabetes Month in November, that total annual costs of diabetes in 2022 was $412.9 billion, most of it in direct medical costs. How can doctors of optometry help in the fight to lower the prevalence of diabetes?
9 benefits of introducing laser procedures into your practice
Doctors of optometry should consider the benefits of adding office-based laser procedures, such as YAG capsulotomy (after cataract surgery) or selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT, for glaucoma), to their practice.
5 considerations if you’re thinking about adding laser procedures to your practice
Doctors of optometry are performing office-based laser procedures in 11 states, as AOA affiliates have seen historic scope expansion wins in the past four years and momentum continues to build. Doctors of optometry are pursuing legislation in other states that would allow them to serve their patients at the highest level of their education and training. Some of these optometrists, who have performed hundreds of laser procedures, share key considerations in providing this care to patients.
Optometrist-performed YAG capsulotomies shown effective, safe and beneficial for patients
Currently, licensed doctors of optometry in 10 states perform YAG laser capsulotomy and a new study provides further evidence to support its use in optometric practice.
Educate Your Patients
As the nation’s primary eye health care providers, doctors of optometry must inform patients on how a comprehensive eye exam is a critical part of overall health maintenance. Use these resources to educate patients.
Solving the myopia mystery
Significant clinical studies on atropine for myopia control show conflicting results for doctors of optometry seeking a solution to myopia progression. More research is needed on atropine dosage and why results were different among children living in the U.S. and Asia.
For 128 million U.S. presbyopes, doctors of optometry can provide treatment options
Presbyopia is an eye condition that affects the vast majority of Americans over age 45. Treatment options include glasses, contact lenses, eye drops and surgical interventions. Educating the public is key, the AOA’s Health Policy Institute reports.
What’s up, doc? Can a dietary supplement reverse patient cataracts?
Considerations on how to advise a patient who may want to use alternative forms of treatment for their cataracts, such as non-FDA-approved dietary supplements. Learn more in the latest AOA Ethics and Values case study.
Legal blindness in America
How you can educate patients with legal blindness about the opportunities that may benefit them.
AOA series addresses concerns about myopia management
With the prevalence of myopia on the rise worldwide, an AOA webinar attempts to erase concern over barriers to providing myopia management. The webinar kicked off a three-event series focused on raising awareness of myopia management as a standard of care especially for children. Next is “Meet the Myopia Experts” on Saturday, June 24, at Optometry’s Meeting® 2023 in Washington, D.C.
AOA serving patients through research in optometry
For the fifth consecutive year, the AOA is sponsoring the Investigator Initiated Research Award. Investigators are invited to electronically submit proposals by July 1 for projects designed to increase knowledge through basic clinical and/or translational science relative to the continuum of eye and vision care. The AOA provides a maximum of $50,000 in direct costs for research conduct. Eric Ritchey, O.D., Ph.D., talks about his current research on low-level light therapy for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction, which can lead to dry eye disease.