This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
AOA sponsors IOM study on promoting eye health
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
The American Optometric Association is sponsoring a year-long consensus study by the Institute of Medicine on visual impairment and eye health.
The study will examine the public health burden on eye disease and vision loss, prevention and care of eye disease and impaired vision, and evidence-based health promotion interventions, according to a press release from the AOA.
AOA President David A. Cockrell, OD, addressed members of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on Public Health Approaches to Reduce Vision Impairment and Promote Eye Health.
"The only preventive public health intervention that will accomplish these goals is regular comprehensive eye examination," Cockrell said. "The AOA hopes the consensus study will have a meaningful, positive impact on public policy, resulting in high-quality, safe and accessible eye health and vision care for all Americans for decades to come."
Cockrell pledged the AOA’s support and committed to providing “a vital, common-sense perspective that has been missing in previous public health studies in these areas.”
Cockrell also suggested that the committee consider four areas of prioritization: regular comprehensive eye exams for everyone, identification of specific needs in all age groups, precise language regarding eye health and vision care, and distinguishing what approaches are difficult vs. illogical.