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AOA disappointed in restriction on ASCRS meeting attendance for ODs
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In response to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s restriction on optometric attendance at the ASCRS Annual Symposium, American Optometric Association President Wesley E. Pittman, OD, stated that the AOA “is not surprised, but is disappointed” with this action.
On July 26 the ASCRS announced in a press release that meeting registration would be “limited to those optometrists directly employed by ophthalmologists or by ophthalmic industry entities.” Continuing its standard meeting policy, those optometrists must register through the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators Congress. The ASCRS and ASOA also plan to continue to allow their respective registrants to attend each other’s presentations and activities.
According to ASCRS spokesperson John Ciccone, nurses and technicians are also permitted to register through the ASOA.
The ASCRS ruling follows the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s April decision to ban all optometrists from its annual meeting.
ODs must sign statement
The ASCRS Executive Committee also approved a provision that optometrists attending the ASOA Congress must sign a statement that attendance in courses, presentations and other meeting events in no way qualifies them to perform surgery, said the press release.
In a prepared statement, Dr. Pittman said the AOA feels it is inappropriate for ASCRS to require optometrists to sign such a statement. “This should be determined by the scope of practice set forth in state laws,” he said.
In the ASCRS statement, ASCRS President Priscilla Arnold, MD, said, “Patient welfare is most protected when those performing surgery are able to recognize and manage complications and understand complex disease conditions that may be encountered. We are also concerned with meeting the educational needs of our members, which is our primary mission.”
AOA Congress open to all
Dr. Pittman said the AOA welcomes ophthalmologists to its Annual Congress, “Optometry’s Meeting.” He urged those optometrists who have attended the ASCRS meeting and “have now been insulted by being asked to sign a statement” to come to the AOA Annual Congress.
“The AOA does not require you to sign any statement that insults your professionalism,” Dr. Pittman said. “The continuing education is second to none, and you will be supporting your professional association, which, unlike ASCRS, has high regard for your professional judgment. Optometrists pledge in the optometric oath that one will ‘share information cordially and unselfishly with my fellow optometrists and other professionals for the benefit of patients and the advancement of human knowledge and welfare,’ and hope other organizations would be willing to do the same.”
For Your Information:
- The American Optometric Association can be reached at 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141; (314) 991-4100; fax: (314) 991-4101; Web site: www.aoa.org.
- The American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators can be reached at 4000 Legato Rd., Suite 850, Fairfax, VA 22033; (703) 591-2220; fax: (703) 591-0614; Web site: www.ascrs.org.