AOA issues advisories on diabetes, STDs

The American Optometric Association is asking for public comment on its updated practice guideline on diabetes mellitus and has also issued a brief on sexually transmitted diseases.

The AOA’s Evidence-Based Guideline on Eye Care of the Patient with Diabetes Mellitus is available through July 30 for public review.

According to the group’s press release, it describes examination procedures for evaluating the eye health and vision status of patients with diabetes and meets the Institute of Medicine’s standards for guidelines, which include external review from relevant stakeholders.

Comments are being collected here.

The AOA also announced that it developed the brief, The Role of Doctors of Optometry in the Identification, Treatment and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, in light of a recent surge in STDs.

According to the CDC, between 2013 and 2017, the number of cases of syphilis nearly doubled, cases of gonorrhea increased by 67%, and cases of Chlamydia remain at record highs. “To reverse those trends, the CDC is calling on doctors to make STD screening and timely treatment a standard part of medical care,” the AOA said.

Ocular signs of each of these diseases can be diagnosed in the optometrist’s practice.

“A confidential dialogue that includes partners, practices, protection from STDs, history of STDs and prevention of pregnancy and its association to vision and eye health can provide an opportunity for risk-reduction counseling by the doctor of optometry,” the AOA said.

For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/std.