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

Looking back...and ahead

The first quarter is now in the rearview mirror and we are well into spring. Let's take a few moments to look back at what we have accomplished over the last couple of months at the POA and what we have set our sights on for this coming summer and fall. 

In late March, there was a substantial showing of POA optometrists at Senator Chris Gebhard’s fundraiser. The Senator, currently sponsoring the children’s vision bill, and his staff were impressed by the number of ODs present at the event and appreciative of the tremendous support shown. Leading into April, our annual Spring Congress in Gettysburg was a massive success! There was an array of quality continuing education with high attendance, robust engagement between industry supporters and doctors in the exhibit hall, roaming Welcoming Ambassadors, the second POA Board meeting of 2023, our House of Delegates, the annual POA Awards Ceremony, and plenty of social events for friends and families to mingle and have some fun. It was a memorable weekend for sure!

In March and April, the POA and the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) continued a dialogue on several different initiatives where Optometry and Ophthalmology are confident we can work together. Some of these efforts will include low vision, scleral and medically necessary contact lenses, third party center mutual challenges, and medicaid.

From June 21 to 24, Optometry’s Meeting and AOA on Capitol Hill will be held  in Washington, D.C. Please contact me, or the POA office, if you would like to act as a Pennsylvania delegate at the AOA House of Delegates. Please also consider advocating with us for our patients and our profession on the Hill in Washington that same weekend. 

Keep alert for more details on another course on Ophthalmic Laser Procedures for the Anterior Segment presented by Salus University and supported by the POA. It will be on the road in Western Pennsylvania sometime this fall. 

Additionally, you should save the dates of September 29 and 30 to volunteer in Harrisburg by performing eye exams in an underserved area. 

And lastly, please join us November 1 to 3 for our final 2023 POA Board of Directors meeting and Fall Educational Conference with an exhibit hall in luxurious Bedford Springs!

I am immensely proud of what our POA Board, committees, and staff have accomplished so far this year. Let the hard work and collaboration continue! I look forward to seeing you again soon and, of course, meeting new people too.

Appreciatively,

Jesse

POA's upcoming events

Winter is flying by and spring is almost here! So far, 2023 has been very productive for the POA. The course presented by Salus University in partnership with the POA, Ophthalmic Laser Procedures for the Anterior Segment, was a huge success. Dozens of optometrists successfully completed this high-quality training. If you missed it, don’t worry, the opportunity for this instruction will be provided again soon. 

Since the first Board of Directors meeting in January, the POA’s volunteer committees and Board have been active. The Legislative Affairs Committee reported in early January that Senator Chris Gebhard released a co-sponsorship memoranda increasing the effectiveness of eye health examinations for our children in Pennsylvania, which the POA fully supports. Please contact the POA office if you need talking points to help communicate the importance of this bill to your legislators. 

Additionally, the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee participated in a workshop entitled “Moving Toward Inclusion and Belonging”. The POA will continue pursuing these important efforts as it continues to grow its membership. Please check out the updates from other POA committees in this edition of the Keystoner as well. 

The POA’s annual Spring Congress is right around the corner, on March 30th to April 2nd, at the Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel. Aside from the Board of Directors meeting, continuing education, and House of Delegates, it will be your chance to take in all that historic Gettysburg has to offer. As an alumnus of Gettysburg College, I know you’ll love your experience there. In addition to the many tours and museums, you won’t want to miss some of our special events. There will be the 2023 Gettysburg Historic Road Rally, our annual awards ceremony, a Saturday night ghost gathering, the exhibit hall with tons of eager and knowledgable company representatives, and the State of the Association Lunch. On Friday, you’re invited to my “Represent your Alma Mater” night at the Battlefield Brew Works featuring, none other than, The Mark Margolies Band live onstage! Every attendee will get a free CD. Be sure to wear your school gear and bring any paraphernalia from your institution. What a fun, action packed weekend it will be. 

After the Spring Congress, the POA will continue its work on your behalf. Please take a moment to look at the POA committee structure and see if you find an area of interest that you would like to participate in. If so, inform me or Ilene Sauertieg of the POA staff at Ilene@poaeyes.org. 

Keep an eye out for news of the next POA lobbying day in Harrisburg, due to be held in the late spring to early summer. Also, mark your calendar for an event in Harrisburg where POA volunteers and paraoptometrics will be providing eye exams in an underserved area on September 29th and 30th. 

I am incredibly excited to be with old friends and see new faces in Gettysburg. See you soon!

Jesse Jones, O.D.

POA President

Access Low Vision in Pennsylvania

I am so proud of what we at the POA have achieved this year. The POA has provided leadership development for over 40 members and established a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Additionally, we have developed a new POPAC Proactive Optometry Initiative. After advocacy efforts this year, we've seen the successful passage of the Early Eye Drop legislation. We have even supported Salus University’s Ophthalmic Lasers Procedures for Anterior Segment certification course. You can register here. 

In addition to our established initiatives with the Pennsylvania Diabetic Eye Health Alliance (PDEHA)  and Children’s Vision Care Alliance (CVCA), the POA has now formed a Low Vision Awareness Committee. The overall purpose of the Low Vision Awareness Committee is to promote Low Vision awareness to Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, other health care providers, and the general public.

We are reminding our members that the standard of care for a patient with low vision is to refer to one of the many Optometrists in Pennsylvania who provide Low Vision rehabilitation.

So, what constitutes a referral for Low Vision services? No longer is the trigger for a referral to Low Vision a certain visual acuity, visual field or diagnosis. The standard of care now is to refer any patient who is struggling with at least one activity of daily living due to their vision loss. Examples could be: difficulty reading mail or pill bottles; trouble keeping up in school (at any age); concerns about driving; difficulty performing work-related tasks; difficulty traveling through unfamiliar environments; trouble reading books, magazines, or computers; inability to see favorites hobbies or past-times; difficulty seeing to provide self-care such as shaving; or difficulty seeing to perform housekeeping such as cooking and laundry. 

If you have provided the best optical correction, but your patient is still struggling, please refer to a Low Vision Optometrist. They can tackle the problem, not only by traditional glasses or contact lenses, but also by use of lighting, contrast, prisms, modified working distances, eccentric fixation, various forms of optical and electronic magnification, training with these devices and techniques, and referrals as needed to other supportive professionals. The earlier the Low Vision Optometrist can become involved, the more successful your patients are likely to be.

Of course, at no time should Low Vision care replace proper medical or surgical intervention. But do remember, Low Vision is an essential treatment modality to those with visual impairments. Also, please do not prejudge a patient’s ability to adapt to Low Vision care or pay for the services. Low Vision consultations are generally covered under a patient’s medical insurance. If not, other funding sources are available such as the Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services. Get to know your local Low Vision Optometrists. They can guide you. Consider the Low Vision Optometrist a part of your team. They do the rehabilitation and you continue to be the patient’s primary eye care Optometrist.

If you are a POA member who provides Low Vision Rehabilitation, please make sure your AOA profile indicates you have a special emphasis in Low Vision Rehabilitation. Also, join the AOA Vision Rehabilitation Advocacy Network by signing up on the AOA website under practice > specialties > Vision Rehabilitation. By identifying yourself as a Low Vision Provider with your professional association, your colleagues and the general public will be able to find you on the AOA and POA “doctor finder” under Low Vision Emphasis. If you are not a Low Vision provider, search on the AOA or POA websites for a Low Vision Optometrist in your area.

I want to thank the POA for all its support. I ask members to stay involved, join PDEHA, join CVCA, and join or refer to POA Low Vision Optometrists. Become a keyperson. Join the Proactive Optometry Initiative. We all know that Optometry is the premier eye care profession in Pennsylvania. Let’s keep it that way. Great things are being planned for 2023, and I look forward to continued success for Optometry in Pennsylvania. 

Tracy Carpenter Sepich, O.D., M.S.

Doctor of Optometry

Masters of Science in Low Vision Rehabilitation

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 summary of summer so far

 Well, here we are…mid-summer and the pandemic emergency has finally been declared over. Though the mask mandate has been lifted, it’s still enforced at healthcare facilities. So, at least for us, the mask saga continues—with the addition of a few more requirements from OSHA. Mask or no mask, the POA continues to move forward and make itself heard. The most recent way? The AOA’s 2021 Optometry’s Meeting that was held in Denver.

The Meeting was all about Pennsylvania! Dr. Michael Mittleman and Dr. Satya Verma were inducted into the Optometry Hall of Fame; Tyler Lesko, a fourth-year PCO student, won the National Quiz Bowl; and the POA Board of Directors’ own Dr. Erick Henderson received the Young Optometrist of the Year award. It doesn’t get any better than that!

The Presidents Council and the Eastern States, through the NEO Forum, brought to light the legislative goals of each state and how they had succeeded so far. The POA led the conversation amongst both groups regarding Bioptic Driving and Children’s Vision. 

There were no surprises at the AOA House of Delegates—the open Board positions were filled by an equal number of candidates. The most controversial motion was to incorporate a diversity statement within the optometric oath. It ultimately passed with strong support of the delegates.

While every state had their own initiatives, they also had common challenges like growing and maintaining membership, adding member benefits, and association income. Here at the POA, we hold the line on dues increases by providing member benefits that produce non-dues income for the association. We have endorsed two new programs for our members over the last few months. The first, Digital on Demand, advises clients on how to most effectively market their business online at the lowest cost. The second is a HIPAA compliance authority, Abyde. HIPAA Compliance violation fines are ridiculously high and Abyde helps to avoid violations. I use them in my own practice and am now confident that we will pass any compliance audit. Bring it on!

Enjoy the rest of the summer, and know that the POA has never stopped working for you…

Edward Savarno, O.D.

POA President

PCO/Salus University update

It seems appropriate that in the year of 2020, we should institute periodic updates on PCO/Salus University and enhance transparency between our state association and our state’s optometric college. Along that line, I will start providing an overview of President Dr. Mike Mittelman’s updates to our alumni board on Salus’ status and some of the upcoming PCO events. 

This year’s first meeting was on 1/19 and opened with a review of the upcoming class of 2020. There have been 582 applicants, which is a decline from 646 in 2019. This trend is reflective nationally with a decrease of approximately 15-20% and is also evident at the undergraduate level with a decline of approximately 11%. To align with this decrease and assure that quality students are accepted, the target size for the 2020 PCO class is 135, which has been deliberately reduced over the past four years. An interesting side note is a declining birth rate in the US since 2012; in 2018, there was a reduced birth rate of 2%, the lowest in 32 years.

Proactively, there is a proposed restructuring of Salus University into 3 colleges: PCO (600 students), Audiology (128 students), and a condensed College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation (CHER), which includes the programs of PA, OT, Biomedicine (PhD), Speech-Language pathology, post baccalaureate (for a total of 280 students) and a proposed orthoptics/prosthetics program. This will streamline the academic administration and allow stand-alone primary doctoral programs with master levels within single colleges.

Financially, the Centennial Campaign was successful in generating over $4.2 million in donations and the “Looking Out for Kids” event was also a success (>$135,000). It is scheduled this year on 11/14/2020 at the National Constitution Center (there is a solicitation for donated items for the silent auction). Student travel grants were approved for 11 students to represent Salus by presenting posters, papers, and participating in academic “challenge” bowls.

Politically, Salus continues to host visiting legislators. Most recently, House Majority Leader Rep. Bryan Cutler, Sen. Sharif Street, and Rep. Joanna McClinton. Dr. Mittelman along with the Salus faculty are very gracious hosts and provide an informative overview of our training that better educates our legislators. You are encouraged to invite and escort your legislator on a field trip to Salus; PCO will coordinate the arrangements.

Salus is lobbying PA to reinstitute a “line item budget” for $2 million to help reduce student tuition by $6-7,000. This was eliminated in 2008, with exception to the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary program, since it was the only such program in the state (argument for reinstituting this budgeting for PCO). 

Upcoming events: Alumni gatherings at SECO (Atlanta, 3/06) and AOA (DC, 6/26). Salus is hosting a Woman’s Leadership Forum on 4/03. Consult Salus’ website for more events. Our next Alumni Board meeting will be on 7/12.

Respectfully submitted, 
Bob Owens, O.D., F.A.A.O.

PCO Quiz Bowl 2017

The PCO Quiz Bowl was held Friday, March 17 at Salus University. Congratulations to PCO second-year (and my former employee) Celeste Gomez for winning the opportunity to represent the school in Denver next summer. Congratulations also to Colleen Gibson for winning the travel grant to Optometry's Meeting in D.C. this summer. Special thanks to Drs. Shana Barrett Zeitlin, Steve Hess and Ben Foreman for helping to represent the POA.

- Dr. Steven Eiss, POA President

Salus welcomes new students from Qassim University

Salus University recently welcomed eight sixth-year optometry students from Qassim University in Saudi Arabia to its Elkins Park campus. As part of an agreement between the two universities, Qassim students attend lectures, participate in workshops and experience simulated patient encounters at the Salus University campus as part of their clinical curriculum.

For all eight students, this was their first time to the United States. While here they spent time in Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C. The students believe their time spent at Salus University will give them an early clinical advantage, especially as optometry begins to grow as a profession in Saudi Arabia.

This is the second group of students Salus has welcomed from Qassim. Upon completion of their six years of study and a one-year internship, the students will obtain a Doctor of Optometry degree. Afterward, a majority of them plan in go into private practice.

Pictured from left to right: Abdulsalam Saleh Alyousef, Faisal Ali Alhamamah, Yousef Muneer Alharbi, Mohammad Saleh Aldhbiab, Abdulrahim Huwaydi Almutairi, Abdullah Salem Alharbi, Mohammed Nasir Elbaradei and Abdulmalik Ibrahim Alkharisi.

Join the POA for can’t-miss continuing education and fun

After a cold winter, spring has finally arrived and that means the POA Spring Congress is right around the corner. From May 15-17, the POA is pleased to be returning to one of our favorite venues: the beautiful Omni Bedford Springs Resort. With its turn-of-the-century architecture and rich history, as well as the lush grounds and amenities, it is the perfect backdrop for our annual meeting events. This meeting is packed with education, exhibits, business and social events that you won’t want to miss.

Continuing Education Hours
We are pleased to offer a well-rounded program of 13 continuing education credits, which includes 6 hours of TPA:
Conversations in Glaucoma – Dr. Joe Pizzimenti and Dr. Carlo Pelino
Essential Topical Formulary - Dr. Joe Pizzimenti and Dr. Carlo Pelino
Update on Oral Medications - Dr. Joe Pizzimenti and Dr. Carlo Pelino
Ocular Surface and Lid Marginal Disease – Dr. Thomas Kislan
Scleral Lenses: Speciality Lens Education for the Novice and Expert – Dr. James Deom
Scleral Lens Wet Lab – Dr. Thomas Kislan and Dr. James Deom
Primary Care Electrodiagnostics – Peter Kehoe, O.D.
Evidence-Based Eye Care of patients with Diabetes Mellitus – Peter Kehoe, O.D.
The POA would like to acknowledge Diopsys, MiboMedical and Valley Contax for their support of our continuing education program.

Business Partner Programs
The following programs will be presented at our Congress by POA Business Partners and we hope that you will attend.
On Friday, May 15 from noon-1:00 p.m., Dr. James Thimons will present The Growing Presence of Dry Eye Disease. This presentation is sponsored by Allergan. This non-credit program also includes lunch.
On Sunday, May 17 from 7:00-8:00 a.m., enjoy free breakfast and What do you know about the VSP® Global Premier Program? presented and sponsored by VSP. Come discover how the Premier Program can help you achieve your business goals by bringing you more patients, more value, and more support. During the presentation, attendees will learn: how to stand out to attract more valuable patients; make more by choosing innovative products that benefit you and your patients; and how to take it to the next level with exclusive offers and support.
If you haven’t registered for these sessions, please contact the POA office at (717) 233-6455. 

Exhibit Hall
As of April 20, the following exhibitors will be bringing a wide range of products and services to our hall this year. You will have ample time to visit their displays on Saturday, May 16 from 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. during our lunch in the exhibit hall. Many will be giving away door prizes so bring your business cards. We encourage you to support the companies that support the POA by visiting their booths and welcoming their representatives into your offices.
ABB Optical Group
Alcon - Gold Business Partner
Allergan - Gold Business Partner
Beitler McKee
Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services
C&E Vision - Platinum Business Partner
Carl Zeiss Meditec
Carl Zeiss Vision
Coopervision
Diopsys, Inc.
Essilor Labs of America
Eyeficcient LLC
Eyenavision
Heidelberg Engineering
Hoya Vision Care
Maculogix - Silver Business Partner
MiboMedical
Novabay Pharmaceuticals
Optovue
PA Paraoptometric Association
Professional Eye Care Associates of America
Signet Armorlite
USI Affinity - Gold Business Partner
VSP Global - Platinum Business Partner
Walman Optical
We would also like to thank the Provision Group for their financial support of our Congress. 

Social Events
The POA is pleased to invite you, your family and staff to join us at our social events.
Our golf outing on Friday, May 15 is always one of the highlights at Bedford. The magnificent golf course is accessible right outside the front door of the resort and provides spectacular views of the surrounding area, as well as a challenging round of golf. The cost is just $140 and includes breakfast, greens and cart fees. Everyone is welcome to join this event from expert golfer to the weekend duffer, and our exhibitors have been invited also. 
Friday dinner is on your own so we encourage you to make reservations between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. in the hotel’s main dining room, 1796 Room, or the pub. Check out our recent member update, which features a list of restaurants for wining and dining in Bedford. Doctors who have graduated since 2010 are invited to attend a special networking reception with the POA Board and local society presidents. Please see page 13 for details.
At 9:00 on Friday evening, POA President Dr. Rich Christoph and his wife Tammy invite you to join them for a relaxed evening of snacks, drinks and conversation. Spend the night talking with old friends and meeting new ones while taking in a spectacular view of the golf course and surrounding area. Everyone is welcome to join in this event.
Support your fellow members on Saturday night at 6:00 for the POA’s annual Awards Ceremony, where we will be honoring the 2015 award recipients. After the ceremony, we will be horsing around POA-style! Join us for a walk-around dinner featuring food, drinks and entertainment. Hedge your bets at our horse racing table or try your luck at the casino games. We invite the ladies in attendance to wear your “Derby hats” and participate in the fun of our hat contest. It will surely be a casual evening of fun with just a little competitiveness thrown in.

Wine and Dine in Bedford
As you know from perusing the POA Congress schedule, Friday evening has been left open for dinner on your own from 6:00-9:00 p.m. There are three wonderful restaurants located right on the Omni Bedford Springs property. There are also a number of options in and around downtown Bedford, just a 10-minute ride from the resort. The POA has compiled a list of restaurants (http://pennsylvania.aoa.org/Documents/PA/POA-2015-bedford-wineanddine.docx), both on and off property, for your consideration. Those located off the property are recommended by the Bedford Visitors Bureau. 
There are also boutiques, wine cellars, candy shops and antique shops located in downtown and we encourage you to visit if you have time. It’s a great place for families to explore while you are in business or education sessions, with plenty of parking and helpful shop owners to guide you around the main shopping area. 
Check out the bureau website at www.visitbedfordcounty.com for other ideas. 

2015 PCO Quiz Bowl

From left to right: AOSA Trustee Christin DeMoss, Dr. Lori Gray, Dr. Steven Eiss, Quiz Bowl winner Marshall Ward, Dean of PCO Dr. Lori Grover, Associate Dean of PCO Dr. Melissa Trego and Dr. Alissa Coyne

Students run in with an American flag to rally support.

From left to right: Christin DeMoss, Dr. Lori Gray, Dr. Steven Eiss and POSA President Brian Johnson

Students gather for a non-competitive photo op.

A student shows off his rollerblading skills when he enters for the Quiz Bowl.

Photos taken by PCO students Ryan Chia and AJ Pastor.