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AOA and AFOS: ‘Cut through the noise’ and empower licensed doctors of optometry to provide greater access to care to veterans
Eye care is the third-most requested health service by veterans at the VA—and doctors of optometry provide the majority of that care. Yet, as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) considers new national standards of practice for more than 50 health professions at its facilities, optometrists are making a winning case for expanding their role at an understaffed VA and are galvanizing against baseless attacks from organized medicine, ophthalmology and a few unbending legislators.
3 coding questions cracked
Does Medicare allow you to bill fundus photos and an optical coherence tomography on the same day for two different diagnoses? The answer to this question, and more, from the AOA’s experts.
Born to serve: Active duty paraoptometric professionals provide critical care
September is Paraoptometric Appreciation Month, celebrating optometric practice staff around the country. Two paraoptometric professionals who provide eye care as active-duty veterans in the United States Armed Forces share their stories.
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.
YAG procedures by doctors of optometry, after cataract surgery, better for patients’ care and convenience
Survey of 10 states, where doctors of optometry are certified to perform the YAG capsulotomy to treat complications from cataract surgery, finds patients are more likely to get in to see their doctors of optometry for the laser eye surgery than their ophthalmologists, and many see cost savings. Survey results provide evidence or grounds for further optometric scope expansion to other states, especially in light of workforce shortages.
Affiliates’ advocacy teams prepare to convene for meeting of the minds
The state advocacy-focused meetings, hosted by the AOA State Government Relations Committee, return in 2023 with three regionally based forums August through October.
Testing 1, 2, 3 … paraoptometric exam handbook, resources for certification testing
Staff interested in preparing for their paraoptometric certification can access an updated paraoptometric examination candidate handbook.
Doctors of optometry in Texas and Nevada build bulwark against vision plan abuses
Doctors of optometry in Texas and Nevada out-worked, out-organized and out-witted a better-funded opposition to realize legislation meant to overcome abuses by vision plans. The biggest opponent? The National Association of Vision Care Plans, which describes itself as a “voice for the managed vision care industry.”
DeSantis decision delivers historic win for Florida optometrists and patients
Florida governor’s veto of far-reaching “not-a-doctor/physician” bill marks a high-profile rejection of organized medicine’s effort to derail AOA/affiliates’ drive nationwide toward optometric scope expansion.
AOA Focus
AOA Focus is the magazine for AOA members. AOA Focus delivers a blend of updates, in-depth analysis and personal stories from doctors of optometry across the country on topics that matter most to the profession. This big-picture view is the perfect complement to the daily updates members get at AOA News.
