AAO reaches out to optometry

To meet exploding demand for eye care presented by aging baby boomers, even as many older ophthalmologists retire, the profession must develop new collaborative care models that embrace technicians, nurses and optometrists, American Academy of Ophthalmology President Paul A Sternberg MD told the academy’s annual meeting.

Historically, ophthalmology’s relations with optometry have been strained, with many MDs seeing optometrists as competitors or even opponents, Dr Sternberg noted. Indeed, optometrists were banned from the AAO annual meeting several years ago.

The time, energy and resources spent fighting over scope of practice might better be used developing new ophthalmology-led care teams that make the most of the skills and training of all eye care professionals, Dr Sternberg said.