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Optometry must rise above political maneuvers
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![Michael D. DePaolis, OD, FAAO [photo]](images/commonart/depaolis.jpg)
It’s been just over a year since the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) elected to ban optometrists from attending its annual meeting. Like many optometrists, my initial response to this exclusionary strategy was one of disbelief and confusion. I found it difficult to believe an exceptional institution such as the AAO would ever impose an educational embargo. Quite frankly, I was also confused as to why.
However, looking beyond my naiveté, the AAO’s intentions became perfectly clear. While I didn’t – and still don’t – agree with the AAO’s position, it is admittedly an astute political maneuver. I don’t think many of us saw it coming, nor could we predict its impact on optometry.
In the ensuing months I often pondered the AAO’s decision and its long-term ramifications on optometry. Would other ophthalmology associations follow suit? This concern was validated when the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery imposed a similar ban. Would this ultimately adversely affect future optometric legislative efforts? While time will tell, I really don’t think so, as most legislators will view this as monopolistic, self-serving and not in the public’s best interest.
Effect on research efforts?
Perhaps more than anything, I wondered how this would influence collaborative research and educational efforts between the two professions. Clearly, the emergence of refractive surgery, cataract comanagement and optometry’s expanded therapeutic privileges has resulted in the two professions working closer together. In short, optometrists and ophthalmologists frequently see similar patients, treat the same conditions and share a common vernacular. Could such an educational embargo destroy this collegial relationship and, more importantly, how would optometry respond?
In retrospect, my fears have been largely unfounded. At a grassroots level optometrists and ophthalmologists continue to collaborate, often to the public’s benefit.
Optometry moves forward
The past year has been anything but intellectually stifling, as optometry forges onward: conducting research, participating in clinical trials, publishing and educating. Additionally, we are witnessing a greater level of sophistication in optometric education by virtue of the increased interest in subspecialty societies. The Optometric Council on Refractive Technology, Optometric Glaucoma Society, Optometric Retina Society, National Cornea and Anterior Segment Society and the various sub-sections of the American Academy of Optometry exemplify our commitment to understand at a higher level.
In the final analysis, the AAO’s initiative is its prerogative and should be respected as such. Whether or not we agree is almost irrelevant. What is relevant is how we respond.
We respond by continuing to work with ophthalmology. We respond by recognizing no one monopolizes knowledge. And we respond by striving to better understand etiology, diagnosis and management of all ocular conditions. After all, optometry’s initiative is a simple one – educate to better understand and serve each patient’s needs.