Documentary stresses importance of optometric care in systemic disease
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A new film, Open Your Eyes, which focuses on the important role of optometrists in health care and how ophthalmic testing can help detect systemic diseases, will premiere April 29 as a one-night-only virtual event.
The film, which follows the journey of Kerry Gelb, OD, as he investigates the link between the eyes and chronic disease, was initially scheduled for screening at Vision Expo East, prior to the event’s postponement and consolidation with Vision Expo West. After the April 29 showing, Gelb will participate in an online question-and-answer forum.
Gelb told Primary Care Optometry News that he was motivated to educate the public about the importance of optometrists and optometric care, “that they do much more than glasses and contacts. Close to 300 systemic diseases can manifest in the eye, and the public needs to know how important an optometrist’s role is in preventive medicine.”
He said he wishes for the public to understand the importance of a comprehensive eye exam and that optometrists have the technology to detect systemic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
Gelb said Wayne Chesler wrote and produced the documentary, “and we received tremendous support from industry, especially CooperVision, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb and Alcon.” – by Earl Holland Jr.
Disclosures: Gelb reports no relevant financial disclosures.