AOA president: ODs should increase role in glaucoma care

CHICAGO – “Glaucoma is a serious public health problem in this country. Optometry is the solution,” American Optometric Association President Christopher J. Quinn, OD, said in an address to the Optometric Glaucoma Society.

The society, of which Quinn is a founding member, held its annual meeting here just prior to the American Academy of Optometry meeting.

“As leaders, bring the message into your sphere of influence that the optometrist needs to take a more active role in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma,” Quinn continued. “We have privileges in 49 states, yet a large number of our colleagues don’t treat glaucoma in a serious manner.”

Quinn said that optometrists’ geographic distribution and access to patients provide the opportunity for education.

“Glaucoma is a disease that this profession should own,” he said. “We can own it and have a significant impact on our communities and the health of our patients and the health care system in the U.S.”

He urged attendees to bring back the knowledge imparted from the conference and encourage their colleagues to take an active role in glaucoma management.

Speaker Robert D. Fechtner, MD, added to Quinn’s sentiments.

“There’s no way to take care of this epidemic except through partnership,” he said. “The optometric portion of care is the largest portion, and you can get the message out in the community about what glaucoma is and what it looks like.” – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO

Reference:

Fechtner R. Ocular surface disease and topical glaucoma therapy. Presented at: Optometric Glaucoma Society; Chicago; Oct. 10, 2017.

Disclosures: Fechtner and Quinn reported no relevant financial disclosures.