Advancing the Scope of Practice for Pennsylvania Optometry

As optometrists, we have the privilege of being the first line of defense in protecting our patients' vision and eye health. However, as the demands of healthcare evolve, so too must our ability to provide comprehensive care. The need to advance the scope of practice for optometry in Pennsylvania has never been more critical. It’s not just about enhancing what we can do—it's about ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care and that our profession continues to thrive in the future.

Across the country, we’ve seen significant strides in scope expansion. States like Kentucky, Louisiana, and Oklahoma have successfully advanced their scope of practice, allowing optometrists to perform procedures such as laser surgeries, administer injections, and manage a broader range of ocular conditions. These advancements didn't happen overnight—they were the result of persistent advocacy, rigorous training, and a commitment to patient safety.

One of the most compelling arguments in favor of scope expansion comes from a study that evaluated the safety and effectiveness of advanced optometric procedures. This study found that doctors of optometry perform these procedures with a high degree of safety, comparable to other healthcare providers. The findings underscore what we have known all along: that with the right training and education, optometrists are more than capable of delivering advanced care safely and effectively.

So, why should Pennsylvania optometrists advocate for scope expansion? Here are the top five reasons:

1. Improved Access to Care: Expanding our scope allows patients to receive comprehensive care more quickly, without unnecessary referrals or delays.
2. Enhanced Patient Outcomes: With the ability to manage more complex cases, optometrists can provide more timely interventions, leading to better outcomes for our patients. 
3. Cost-Effective Care: By enabling optometrists to perform advanced procedures, we can reduce the overall cost of eye care by minimizing the need for multiple specialists.
4. Reduction in Healthcare Burden: As primary eye care providers, expanding our scope allows us to alleviate the burden on other healthcare providers, particularly in underserved areas.
5. Professional Growth and Satisfaction: Scope expansion opens new avenues for professional development, allowing us to grow and excel in our careers while meeting the evolving needs of our patients.

While many optometrists in Pennsylvania are content with their current practice, it is essential to recognize that scope expansion is not just about today—it’s about our future. It's about ensuring that the next generation of optometrists has the tools and authority to meet the challenges of tomorrow's healthcare landscape. 

If we are not advancing, we are moving backward, not just simply standing still. By resisting change, we risk being left behind, not only as a profession but in our ability to provide the highest standard of care to our patients. As we look to the future, let’s remember that the fight for scope expansion is not just for us—it’s for every optometrist who will follow in our footsteps, and for every patient whose vision and quality of life depend on our care.

Let’s work together to ensure that Pennsylvania remains at the forefront of optometric care, providing our patients with the best that our profession has to offer.

In Service and Progress,  

James Deom, O.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.O., F.S.L.S. 

President, Pennsylvania Optometric Association

A critical moment for children’s vision legislation

Dear colleagues,

As we reflect on the recent completion of the Pennsylvania state budget, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. While many important issues were addressed, our children's vision legislation, which aims to make comprehensive eye exams mandatory for children prior to entering school, was not passed or even voted out of committee. However, we have one final opportunity to change that—a chance akin to a hail Mary pass in football or a buzzer-beater shot in basketball. This fall, before we enter a new legislative session next year, we must rally together to advocate for this crucial legislation.

The Importance of Comprehensive Eye Exams for Children

Every day, we see firsthand the difference that early detection and treatment of vision problems can make in a child's life. Comprehensive eye exams are essential for diagnosing conditions that can significantly impact a child's learning and development. Issues such as amblyopia, strabismus, and significant refractive errors often go undetected without a thorough eye exam, leading to difficulties in school and beyond.

The future of the children of the Commonwealth depends on us. By making comprehensive eye exams a standard requirement before children enter school, we can ensure that every child has the visual foundation necessary to succeed academically and socially. This legislation is not just about eye health; it’s about giving our children the best possible start in life.

Rallying for Change: Engaging Hearts and Minds

To achieve this goal, we must appeal to the hearts and minds of our patients and legislators. Share your stories with your patients—stories of children whose lives have been transformed by timely eye care. Encourage them to contact their legislators and express their support for the children’s vision legislation. Personal testimonials can be incredibly powerful in demonstrating the real-world impact of this initiative.

Additionally, you must reach out to your local representatives. Explain the importance of early detection and treatment of vision problems and how this legislation can make a profound difference in the lives of countless children. Emphasize that investing in children’s vision now will pay dividends in their future success and well-being.

A Unified Effort

Our association is committed to supporting you in this advocacy effort. We will provide resources, talking points, and guidance on how to effectively communicate with patients and legislators. Together, we can create a groundswell of support that cannot be ignored.

In closing, I urge each of you to take action. The window of opportunity is narrow, but with a unified and determined effort, we can achieve our goal. The future of the children of the Commonwealth is in our hands. Let us seize this moment and ensure that every child has the chance to see clearly and succeed fully.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to this vital cause.

Sincerely,

Dr. James Deom

POA President

Navigating life's path

Dear Colleagues,

As the Pennsylvania Optometric Association moves through another year, it's crucial to remind ourselves of the core mission that binds us together: advocating for our patients and tirelessly working to protect and expand the scope of practice for optometrists to the full extent of our education and training. Our dedication to this mission is exemplified through our extensive educational outreach and the ongoing efforts to ensure that every Pennsylvanian can experience the highest quality of life through optimal vision health.

This year has been particularly significant as we mark the culmination of over two decades of advocacy and public education focused on children's vision. Our efforts have always been fueled by the transformative stories of children who see the world clearly for the first time, thanks to the simple yet profound impact of a correct vision diagnosis followed by treatment with glasses or contact lenses. These stories inspire us and highlight the profound difference our profession can make.

However, today, I want to share a different kind of story—a reminder that our work impacts lives beyond the immediate scope of childhood vision care. Recently, a 68-year-old man visited my office. While waiting, he read a flyer about the POA's children’s vision initiatives. This gentleman was 20/50 best corrected in both eyes, a condition that went undiagnosed until his 30s when he first received glasses during a prison term. He shared with me how he felt that his undiagnosed vision problems contributed to his challenges in school and ultimately led him down a path that resulted in his incarceration. He wondered if his life might have been different had he received the vision care he needed as a child.

This encounter serves as a powerful reminder of the broader social implications of vision care. It underscores the importance of our commitment to ensuring comprehensive eye health and vision care for all ages. This man’s story is a testament to the critical need for universal access to optometric services—not only for children but for every individual at every stage of life.

As we continue to advocate for the access of optometric practice, let us also remember the profound societal impact that can result from our dedication to vision health. Our efforts have the power to change lives in ways that reach far beyond the exam room, influencing the educational, social, and even judicial trajectories of those we serve.

Let's carry forward our commitment to advocating for comprehensive eye care, reinforcing the notion that good vision is a cornerstone of overall health and well-being. Together, we can ensure that no one, irrespective of age or life circumstance, has to navigate life's path without the clear vision they deserve.

Warm regards,

James Deom, O.D. MPH F.A.A.O. FSLS 

President

Pennsylvania Optometric Association

The year we've had

As the end of 2023 approaches, I am incredibly proud of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) this year. We embarked on our journey with a goal of “breaking down the silos” and fostering increased lateral communication within our organization. What I have come to realize is, through our efforts, while those silos grew stronger, we developed better interconnectivity with sideward communication, effectively bridging the pillars of our organizational structure. We should take pride in the foundational work we have laid, and we will continue to build upon this spirit of collaboration. 

Let's delve into more of our collective achievements over the past months. We have actively contributed to Salus University's strategic efforts to attract more students to the profession of optometry. Our Proactive Optometry Initiative has gained significant momentum with pledges from many of our members. If you have not already pledged, please do so here. Our keyperson program has undergone thorough evaluation and is evolving into a more comprehensive strategy. This restructuring will provide a solid foundation for our grassroots efforts as we progress toward our legislative goals.

Additionally, we have successfully trained dozens of optometrists across our Commonwealth to perform advanced laser procedures, in partnership with and presented by Salus University on both the eastern and western sides of Pennsylvania. We are well-positioned to explore the modernization of our scope of practice in the near future. Our collaborative efforts with the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology have expanded, with their request for referral sources for scleral contact lenses and low vision services. We promptly answered this request for action. Please sign up here and here if you would like to be considered as an office providing these services and materials. Our initiative allows ODs, DOs, and MDs to refer through the POA to participating offices. 

In late September, the POA partnered with VSP and the Salvation Army to provide comprehensive eye exams and glasses to individuals in need in Harrisburg. Over two days, our doctors and supporting staff cared for over 220 people, making a substantial difference in their lives. Recently, the POA has enlisted new legal counsel from Tucker Arensberg, PC. They are a full-service law firm with over 80 attorneys who will specialize in addressing the diverse needs of the POA and its members. The POA is deeply grateful for the decades of service and expertise provided by our former counsel, Attorney Greg Knight. We wish him well in his future endeavors and will always consider him a friend of the POA. 

Our legislative affairs committee remains dedicated to advancing our children's vision bill. Once this law is codified, it will be crucial that our Children's Vision Care Alliance (CVCA) be prepared for action, so sign up here. This alliance is not exclusive to vision therapy or pediatric optometrists; it is open to all who work with children giving them access to a first line comprehensive eye exam. If you see kids in any capacity, please sign up. 

In closing the year, the POA will be involved in assisting the Governor’s Office with his executive order directing the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to develop its Master Plan for Older Adults. Identifying early and treating visual conditions in an aging population will be a prominent focus within this Master Plan. 

As we reflect on all we have accomplished this past year, I am filled with optimism for our future. Let's continue to move onwards and upwards, as 2024 is just around the corner! I look forward to seeing you there!

Jesse
Jesse Jones, O.D.
POA President

Accessible, comprehensive eye care

 As this summer comes to an end, the POA stands proudly at the forefront of a transformative season filled with dedication, outreach, and innovation. Guided by a shared commitment to create access to high‐quality eye health and vision care for all citizens of Pennsylvania, we reflect on the journey that has brought us to this moment and look ahead with optimism and determination.

The POA has exemplified the true essence of its mission—providing education, advocacy, and support for Doctors of Optometry to be licensed and equipped to practice to the fullest extent of their training. Our tireless efforts in raising awareness, advancing education, and advocating for accessible eye care services for all Pennsylvanians have resonated.

One of our cornerstones this summer has been our unwavering commitment to children’s access to our care. We recognize that a well-informed community is an empowered one, capable of making informed decisions about their children’s ocular health. From informative public outreach to engaging social media campaigns, the POA has harnessed every platform to disseminate critical information about the importance of regular eye examinations for our children. The detection of eye conditions, and the benefits of adopting a proactive approach to eye care early on could change the life of a child. Here’s an interview with POA Past President Dr. Tracy Sepich where she explains the benefits and importance of consistent and preparatory eye exams in children. 

Moreover, this summer has been marked by our dedication to outreach. We continue to volunteer our care for underserved communities, partnering with POA Business Partner VSP Vision to provide free comprehensive eye exams and eyewear to those who need it most at the Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region. By dismantling barriers to access, we've opened doors to a brighter future for those we help, ensuring that poor vision will no longer be a hindrance to their aspirations. Volunteers are always welcome to join us at the free eye exam event. You can register here. 

As President of the POA, I am profoundly grateful for the dedication and passion demonstrated by each member of our association. Your commitment to our shared vision and mission has been the driving force behind our collective success. Let us move forward with renewed vigor, embracing the challenges and opportunities that await us in the coming months.

In conclusion, let the spirit of this summer serve as a reminder that our objectives are attainable when we work together toward a common goal. Check out the POA's Strategic Plan here.

The POA will continue to champion accessible, comprehensive eye care, fostering a healthier and brighter future for our Commonwealth.

Please enjoy the last few days of summer. I hope to see you all in Bedford this November.

Most sincerely,

Jesse

Jesse Jones, O.D.

POA President

POA's bringing eye care to the children

One in five children has a vision problem. These vision problems may affect a child’s ability to learn, play, socialize, and develop positive self-esteem. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s vision report underscores that comprehensive eye exams are “the gold standard in clinical vision care to most accurately identify and diagnose vision problems.” The American Optometric Association and Pennsylvania Optometric Association recommend children receive a comprehensive eye examination during the first year of life, between the ages of 3 and 5, before entering 1st grade, and annually thereafter. 

As Doctors of Optometry, we are uniquely qualified to assess and treat children’s vision and ocular health. This year, the POA is practicing what it preaches. The Association has held a long-time position that vision screenings, even by competent professionals, are not sufficient replacements for eye examinations by licensed optometrists.

In September, the POA, in cooperation with VSP Vision™ Eyes of Hope® and the Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region, is providing approximately 200 free eye exams to children who would otherwise not receive care. The eye exams will take place on the 16th and 17th at the Salvation Army on 29th street. POA member optometrists, as well as supporting staff and students, will examine children and others of the underserved community in need of eye care as identified by the Salvation Army. VSP Vision™ Eyes of Hope® is providing the eye exam equipment, maintaining the medical records, and supplying glasses to those children in need, while the Salvation Army will provide follow-up care.

The POA’s initiatives for children’s vision do not end with the free eye exams—there are also ongoing discussions and education provided for free to school nurses, as well as free member materials to showcase the importance of eye examinations in the practice. Additionally, the POA supports current legislation to ensure all children receive the eye exams they deserve. 

Please remember to educate your patients, staff, schools, and community about children’s vision—reading teachers, pediatricians, and family physicians play vital roles in a child’s eye health also. You can teach this important community with the Kids Welcome Here posters and brochures, which are available to POA members free of charge, and Vision is Elementary posters, which are available for school nurses. Through the Children’s Vision Care Alliance, the POA has developed near point cards and a presentation to further educate school nurses of optometric care. The POA has developed all these materials for its members, but it needs you to get the word out. By joining the CVCA, you become part of a network of POA member optometrists dedicated to providing quality eye care to children. 

Thank you to the optometrists, staff, students, and other volunteers assisting in the September eye exams. Thank you to VSP Vision™ Eyes of Hope® and the Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region for their cooperation.

Finally, a special thank you to the POA’s Ilene Sauertieg, who persisted to make the event, first conceived by our late executive director, Joe Ricci, into a reality.

Tracy Carpenter Sepich, O.D., MS
POA President

Why do children need the POA?

Did you know there are approximately 1,745,000 students enrolled in Pennsylvania schools? Studies estimate 33% of these students are at risk for vision problems. That is approximately 576,000 students. Did you know 40% of students with learning disabilities have vision issues that affect learning? Did you know Pennsylvania schools spend 9K-15K per student on an IEP (Individualized Education Program), which is required for all special education students? Recent studies have found that children who are spending increasing time on electronic devices have a higher incidence of vision deficits that impact learning. The negative impact of children’s vision problems is likely to get worse if nothing changes. 

Children need the POA because we can uniquely provide the vision and eye care children need to succeed.  The POA's Children’s Vision Care Alliance (CVCA) has been busy educating optometrists, school nurses, and legislators on the importance of proper eye care for our children’s success in and out of the classroom.

Representative David Zimmerman has introduced HB 1343, which would require children in Pennsylvania to have a comprehensive eye health exam when entering school, in 4th grade, in 8th grade, and before qualifying for special education services. This bill currently has 40 co-sponsors with bipartisan support. It is currently in the Education Committee. We feel confident this bill can pass once it is out of committee. 

So, how can you help?  Please attend our Optometry at the Capitol Day in Harrisburg on Monday, March 28, where we will be lobbying for important issues. You are all invited to this investment in the future of Optometry. Please register here: https://pennsylvania.aoa.org/education-and-events/poa-lobby-day. Learn more about POA's legislative efforts and send a letter to your legislator by visiting the Advocacy page here: https://pennsylvania.aoa.org/advocacy.

In addition to contacting your legislators, please consider joining the POA Keyperson Committee or POPAC Fundraising Committee. You don’t need experience. You only need a passion for Optometry and helping our patients.

Finally, keep your eyes open for the new POA Proactive Optometry Initiative to help advance current and future Optometry-friendly legislation, like HB 1343. More information will be available soon!

Let's get back to the children, though. One study showed that when students who were identified with visual deficiencies received proper treatment, their grades significantly improved, whereas without proper treatment, these students continued to underperform, leading to a 12% reduction in wages.  Don’t you want to be part of the solution? Educate yourself. Educate your patients. Educate your local schools. Educate your legislators. Join the CVCA. Become a Keyperson. Support POPAC. If you don’t know where to start, call the POA and we will help you. Your children, and your children’s children, will thank you. I thank you. 

(Citations for the facts included in this editorial can be found on the POA Advocacy webpage.)

Tracy Carpenter Sepich, O.D.
POA President

A fond adieu

Have you ever noticed that once you finally figure something out, something changes and you have to adjust? It feels like the last year flew by so quickly. As an association, we started the year virtually, with the pandemic halting yet another Spring Congress. Questions of “will there be a vaccine” lapsed into “which one did you get?” And then there’s the mask thing. One would have thought that someone would have at least mentioned that people had to wear masks in healthcare facilities. Through it all, the POA moved forward. The Children’s Vision bill gained traction and now has 40 co-sponsors thanks to the hard work of our legislative team. The Keyperson Committee and Legislative Affairs Committee collaborated to make “How To” educational videos for legislator meetings. The Children’s Vision Care Alliance (CVCA) also grew, developed talking points, a pediatric near point card, and reached out to school nurses. We began working with ophthalmology on public health issues. The Early Drop Legislation will allow our patients to renew their drop prescription if they run out of drops before the end of the month. I hope that this blossoms into an ongoing collaboration between the eye care professions on matters of public health. 

Just as the strategic plan was set to begin implementation, the unthinkable occurred. We lost our executive director, Joe Ricci, to COVID-19. This virus is a cold, unfeeling malady that has left many to pass quietly on a ventilator without the comfort of family. It was a terrible blow to the POA and to me, personally. However, the Board of Directors are the guardians of the organization, and the Personnel Committee met immediately to develop a plan to maintain the integrity of the POA. With the full support of the Board, past presidents, and many others, we moved mountains: message triage, emergency meetings, and the formation of an executive director search committee—none of which would have happened so smoothly without the POA staff. I called the POA office so often that Deb and Ilene became Debilene. It was a rough few weeks, but we all pulled together to make it work. Our immediate past executive director, Dr. Charlie Stuckey, has stepped up and will be the interim director for the next six months. Over the years, he has been an ED, friend, and mentor for many of us and lends some calm to an otherwise high stress and tragic event. The search committee is actively moving forward to attempt to fill the shoes left behind by Joe. 

I have the unique perspective of not only moving the POA through a pandemic, but also losing our executive director to the virus. If there is one thing I learned about the POA during this time, it’s that it is a family and everyone is essential. Countless calls offering condolences, help, and guidance. It was an all hands on deck situation and the POA structure, once in place, moved forward like clockwork.

I want to thank the POA Board for all of their support and effort, the POA staff… well, for all that you do, and all of the members that offer their time and talents to this great organization. It’s time for me to say a fond adieu to my time at the helm. Expect big things next year. The foundations have been set and you are in some of the most capable, hard-working hands as we move into 2022.

Until soon,

Ed

How quickly things can change...

Do you ever notice how things evolve? Take COVID-19, for example. In January, it was all about the vaccine and then March brought us: “Which vaccine did you get? Did you have any side effects?” Now in May, it’s: “I got my vaccination, but I still don’t go anywhere and why do I have to wear this mask?”

The level of sophistication concerning COVID-19 has tripled over the last few months, but Pennsylvania is behind in vaccinating according to the goal set by President Biden. It is now an “all hands on deck” situation to catch up. As I write this message, legislation that would allow optometrists to administer the vaccine has passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and we are waiting for the Senate to return so that they may take up this issue. The Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University stands ready to deliver any education necessary should the bill, HB 63, become law. This is an opportunity for optometry to, once again, be on the front lines and make a difference during this public health emergency. Your participation is vital in moving toward the resolution of this pandemic.

On another front, Representative Zimmerman’s Children’s Vision Bill continues to move forward thanks to the quick action of the Legislative Affairs Committee, Children’s Vision Care Alliance, Clinical Practice Committee, and POA Executive Director Joe Ricci. The language was modified, reviewed, vetted, and resubmitted within hours of the original language coming into question. The teamwork on this bill has been exemplary and is telling of the commitment we have to the children of Pennsylvania. There are an estimated 28,000 children, kindergarten through sixth grade, with an undiagnosed visual disability that are marginalized annually. Their disability will likely be missed in vision screening as the data, in some studies, purports that they miss at least 50% of the maladies. Next, they are labeled for life as learning disabled and provided special education, IEP’s, and reading intervention without ever evaluating for a potential root cause. Optometry is the tip of the spear in attacking this issue. There is no other profession that has the education and training to define and potentially remediate a visual disability in the way that Optometry can. The opportunity to be successful in academics is life-changing for these children. As a doctor and a parent, I bear personal witness to the success of optometric intervention. I am pleased to report that my daughter, who experienced and remediated a vision disability will be graduating with a degree in biochemistry. She will be going for a Master’s in biochemistry/molecular biology this fall. This legislation is all about the children, their academic success, and, ultimately, their future. I am asking for your support by letting your legislator know that you support children’s vision by clicking on this link to send the message: https://pennsylvania.aoa.org/advocacy/poas-legislative-priorities (you will be asked to log in). 

Currently, there are 31 co-sponsors for the Children’s Vision Bill, a remarkably high number. If you have already sent a message and your legislator is still not on the co-sponsor list, please do it again. They need to hear from you.

Co-sponsor list as of April 20, 2021

Zimmerman (Prime Sponsor); Diamond; Mackenzie; Miller, D; Kulik; Kauffman; Gillen; Irvin; Toohill; Guenst; Rozzi; Sturla; Brooks; Hershey; Freeman; Millard; Smith, B; Pickett; Ciresi; Ryan; Howard; Saylor; Webster; James; Pashinski; Stephens; Pennycuick; Boback; McNeill; Hamm; Cook

The 28,000 children, as well as many others, will benefit from a vision evaluation by the best, most qualified professionals in vision, optometrists. 

Until soon,
Ed

Smart Talk with Scott LaMar on WITF

On Monday, March 28, Drs. Marianne Boltz and Gregory Caldwell joined radio host Scott LaMar for his show "Smart Talk." The doctors discussed Save Your Vision Month and the importance of yearly eye examinations, along with Kids Welcome Here and how to prevent digital eye strain. To listen to their interview online, visit
http://witf.vo.llnwd.net/o35/smarttalk/radiosmarttalk/RST_March282016.mp3.

Dr. Boltz explains the importance of the 20-20-20 rule on Smart Talk.

Dr. Caldwell smiles for the camera as Dr. Boltz discusses Kids Welcome Here.

Dr. Boltz and Dr. Caldwell have their photo taken by a WITF employee for their website.

Outside the green room, Dr. Boltz and Dr. Caldwell expressed their feelings about how the segment went.

Dr. Caldwell and Dr. Boltz with Scott LaMar after their segment.

Dr. Boltz and Dr. Caldwell pose for a photo outside the WITF building.

Senator Vogel's 2015 Kids Extravaganza

Senator Vogel's 2015 Kids Extravaganza was held at Community College of Beaver County in Monaca on Saturday, June 27 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Local POA member optometrists supported the event with tables including two very busy face painters that were a huge hit at the event.

Kids Welcome Here®, InfantSEE® and There is More to 3D were the table themes.

The POA members' mission was to explain with demonstration the need to have children's eyes examined at a very young age.

This was the sixth consecutive year for the event and the sixth consecutive year for local POA member optometrists to take part in it. An estimated 1500+ were in attendance.

Information and photos provided by Dr. Bud Lilly.

InfantSEE Success Story - Dr. Arnold Bierman

The following success story comes from Dr. Arnold Bierman.

A 10-month-old patient was brought to Dr. Bierman due to the child’s lateness in crawling, standing and walking. The patient’s mother told Dr. Bierman that there was a history of bad eyesight on the patient’s father’s side and she wanted to rule out visual problems that might be contributing to developmental delay.

Upon examination, Dr. Bierman discovered the patient was significantly farsighted in each eye, the right eye being +4.25 and the left eye +5.25 on objective near point retinoscopy. He informed the mother that glasses would be best for the child.

This is when obstacles presented themselves to Dr. Bierman and the patient. The child’s pediatrician requested a report of Dr. Bierman’s findings, and the child’s father did not want the baby to have glasses. While in contact with the pediatrician, Dr. Bierman found out that an appointment for the patient was already made to have him evaluated by a pediatric ophthalmologist despite his having been examined and diagnosed by Dr. Bierman.

Following that appointment, the chief pediatric ophthalmologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia spoke with Dr. Bierman and told him that all his findings were valid and he agreed with Dr. Bierman’s desired course of action. The family followed through with Dr. Bierman’s original recommendations and ordered the glasses. Dr. Bierman contacted the patient’s mother to check in with the boy and the mother reported that “he’s like a different child” now.

Thanks for sharing your success story, Dr. Bierman! If you have an InfantSEE success story, send it to Kelsey@poaeyes.org to be included in a future issue!

InfantSEE Success Story - Dr. Daniel Schott

The following InfantSEE success story came from Dr. Daniel Schott.

Schott Associates Eye Care in Potter and McKean counties have found a way to better its InfantSEE screenings by coordinating the appointment with the patient’s pediatrician. The Coudersport location owes its success, in part, to the office’s ideal location in Cole Memorial Hospital, but the other locations have also found this coordination tactic successful despite the pediatrician’s office being in another building.

At the child’s nine-month check-up, the infant comes to the office for a screening first. After the screening, the InfantSEE report is sent with the parent to be delivered to the pediatrician at the child’s visit. This way, the pediatrician is reviewing the report with the parent at the appointment and can stress the importance of early intervention in visual development.

Schott Associates Eye Care has found the nine-month visit to be the best time for this screening because infant cooperation is typically better at this age. Cooperation leads to more accurate data. Also there are usually no immunizations at a nine-month well-child visit, so if the patient must come in after visiting the pediatrician’s office, they are usually not cranky from receiving shots.

This has been a very successful way to market not only the practice, but also the importance of early childhood eye exams. In addition, the interaction with pediatricians in this manner has lead to other cases being referred to the practice. This is a win-win for all parties involved. 

Well done, Dr. Schott! Send your own InfantSEE success stories to Kelsey@poaeyes.org to be included in a future issue of the Keystoner and featured here on our blog.

Parents and children aren't seeing eye-to-eye

Identifying vision problems caused by digital devices

Rising technology use in both homes and classrooms is leaving parents underestimating the time their children actually spend on digital devices. The American Optometric Association (AOA) conducted a survey that discovered 83 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 17 use an electronic device for at least three hours a day. Only 40 percent of parents polled on a separate survey were aware that their children were using digital devices for that same amount of time. These statistics may indicate that parents are likely to overlook warning signs associated with vision problems caused by technology use.

Prolonged technology use can cause burning, itchy or tired eyes, headaches, fatigue, loss of focus and blurred vision. This temporary condition is called digital eye strain. To protect vision from digital eye strain, children should practice the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break by staring at something 20 feet away. The following tips can also reduce this particular type of eye strain:

• Make sure computer screens are four to five inches below eye level and 20 to 28 inches away from the eyes. Hold digital devices, like phones and tablets, slightly below eye level.

• Turn your desk or computer away from windows or other light sources to prevent glare on the screen.

• Match the room lighting and the computer screen by using a lower-watt bulb in the overhead light.

• Make text bigger and easier to read.

• To minimize the chances of developing dry eye, blink frequently and fully.

Also concerning is the effect that high-energy, short-wavelength blue light emitted from electronic devices can have on the eyes. Early research on the topic shows that overexposure to blue light may be a contributing factor to eye strain and discomfort, and may lead to serious conditions such as age-related macular degeneration.

The Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) recommends that children have regular eye exams by an optometrist to keep their eyesight healthy and strong. POA also encourages parents to start their child's eye exams early. Every child should have an examination after 6 months of age and again before age 3. Now, under the Affordable Care Act, children through age 18 are covered for yearly comprehensive eye exams.

To learn more about eye and vision health, or to find a nearby doctor of optometry, please visit www.poaeyes.org.

About the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA):

The Pennsylvania Optometric Association is the professional organization for over 1,250 doctors of optometry in Pennsylvania. An affiliate of the American Optometric Association, POA promotes the highest quality eye and vision care by optometrists, represents optometry to state government, provides its members with post-graduate education and membership benefits, and conducts activities in the interest of the visual welfare of the public. For more information, visit www.poaeyes.org.

About the American Optometric Association (AOA):

The American Optometric Association represents approximately 36,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Optometrists serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country, and in 3,500 of those communities are the only eye doctors. Doctors of optometry provide two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States.

American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors on the frontline of eye and vision care who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in a patient's overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Prior to optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a bachelor's degree. Required undergraduate coursework for pre-optometry students is extensive and covers a wide variety of advanced health, science and mathematics. Optometry school consists of four years of post-graduate, doctoral study concentrating on both the eye and systemic health. In addition to their formal training, doctors of optometry must undergo annual continuing education to stay current on the latest standards of care. For more information, visit www.aoa.org.

Optometry's Meeting®

AOA and POA members surged to Philadelphia in full-force for AOA's annual Optometry's Meeting®. The Pennsylvania Optometric Association had the honor of hosting the meeting. Below are some photos highlighting POA's involvement in the event.

Dr. Boltz, president of POA, waits to proudly represent Pennsylvania in the flag procession.

Dr. Boltz addresses attendees at the Opening General Session of Optometry's Meeting in Philadelphia.

Roberta Beers, CPOT accepts the 2014 Paraoptometric of the Year Award presented by AOA President Dr. Mitchell Munson.

Former figure skater Scott Hamilton entertains and enlightens the audience after the awards ceremony.

Dr. James Spangler discusses the Kids Welcome Here® program with attendees in the Exhibit Hall.

Dr. Boltz, Dr. Lori Gray and Dr. Robert Owens (dressed as John McAllister) pose with Benjamin Franklin, the special guest invited to POA's member reception.

Have some photos from Optometry's Meeting® that you want to share? 
Email Kelsey@poaeyes.org and you might see your photo on this blog or our Facebook page!

Please only submit photos belonging to you.