AOA Policy Statement on Telemedicine in Optometry revised

The AOA Policy Statement on Telemedicine in Optometry has been revised following a period of public input and review by the AOA Telehealth Council.

Key revisions include clarifying content and updated definitions of key terms.

“This latest revision of the AOA’s Telemedicine in Optometry policy reflects both the input of our members and the rapid pace of change in telemedicine,” says AOA Trustee Marrie S. Read, O.D., M.B.A. “Since our last update [in 2022], we’ve seen telemedicine expand—through real-time patient connections, remote monitoring of chronic conditions, and new platforms that support care.”

The policy statement maintains the foundation of the 2020 revision: “The AOA supports the appropriate use of telemedicine in optometry to access high-value, high-quality eye, health and vision care. Telemedicine in optometry can serve to expand patient access to care, improve coordination of care, and enhance communication among all health care practitioners involved in the care of a patient.”

The statement, developed with input from leaders in eye health, vision care, artificial intelligence, telehealth platforms and practicing physicians, covers topics including:

• Key terminology
• Criteria for ensuring high-quality telemedicine in optometry
• Organization, training and implementation
• The doctor-patient relationship and the use of direct-to-patient technology
• Administration and legal considerations

Read the updated statement here.

Growth in AI demands change in approach

The previous iteration of the policy statement included a section on AI in eye care. Recognizing the growing and evolving use of AI in health care and the reality that AI is not limited to use in telehealth, the AOA Telehealth Council recommended the previous statement on AI in the telehealth policy statement be removed.

“AI is a separate and fast-growing area. It’s important that the AOA continues to revisit and update this statement to keep pace with technology, safeguard patients and ensure that the doctor–patient relationship remains at the heart of optometric care.” Dr. Read says.

AI issues aren’t specific to telehealth, instead touching on many areas of clinical practice, Dr. Quinn says. “These issues are rapidly evolving,” he says. “A comprehensive review and consideration of the implications of AI in optometry is underway.”

Key terms clarified

The updated policy statement clarified key terms based on public comment. These included:

Standard of care: The standard of care is a legal term, not a medical term. Essentially, it refers to the degree of care a prudent and reasonable person would exercise under the circumstances. State legislatures, administrative agencies, and courts define the legal degree of care required, so the exact legal standard varies by state.

Direct-to-patient eye- and vision-related applications: Mobile applications typically used to assess only visual acuity. Information gathered through this online testing may be shared with a physician who develops a contact lens or glasses prescription based on the limited data acquired. FDA regulation of these applications is evolving and varies.

More guidance and resources to come

Public commenters, including doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric staff, asked for additional telemedicine education. The AOA will continue to provide guidance, resources and courses on this important and evolving topic.