Optometry Is For The Children, The Seniors, And Everyone In Between

Optometrists are first-line-of-defense health care providers. They are not only primary care clinicians on the diagnosis front, visiting an optometrist is an important mile marker in the course of our lives. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends vision screenings for all children between the ages of 3 and 5 years (you know, the age where the probability of them being able to sit still and respond to questions quadruples from 1% to a whopping 4%!). Truly, the family optometrist must develop all the skills of a primary care physician and department store photographer (oof, am I ever dating myself with that reference?).

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, and Optometry Advisor knows what a vital role ODs play in helping manage childrens’ ocular health. Most patients with myopia are prescribed corrective lenses between the ages of 8 and 12. So you could understand why some (such as those young enough not to remember when department stores hosted professional photographers) see optometrists as clinicians working in the realm of pediatrics. The layperson might know they need to return to the optometrist to update their prescription, but since most will never develop serious ocular conditions before they reach old age, they don’t know the breadth of the care optometrists can provide.

Optometry Advisor knows that ODs must strike that balance. Most will see children at some point in their careers, and most will see serious ocular disease in patients of all ages. This month, we’re bringing you a collection of articles that emphasizes how comprehensive optometric care can be, with a special focus on the health and safety of the youngest patients.

We’re looking at studies reviewing how educational and socioeconomic factors can influence myopia prevalence itself. And, with this in mind, we’re asking the clinician featured in our regular profiles column Perspectives In Optometry, Rebecca Chown, OD, about her inspiring career focus of serving the eye health needs of underserved populations. Dr. Rebecca Chown, OD, FAAO is 1 of 3 clinicians receiving, for the first time ever, the American Optometric Association ’s Golden Opportunity Award — an award granted to “individuals from an underrepresented group within the optometric community or someone who seeks to build a practice in an underserved area or population of need.” She shared with Optometry Advisor how her military service led her to where she is today.

And, as promised, we are also keeping your adult patients in mind. For instance, we spoke with Nicolas G. Bazan, MD, PhD , about his findings around the potential effect of essential fatty acid supplementation on patients with dry age-related macular degeneration. And, for patients of any age, Courtney Dryer, OD , is breaking down the vital need for new contact lens-associated keratitis protocols.

Whether you’re focused on a subspecialty or run a family practice, Optometry Advisor is your source for all the latest optometric research and guidance from your colleagues. Don’t forget to sign up for our daily newsletter while you’re there and reach out for any interest in publishing with us. We can’t wait to hear from you.

— Bill Kekevian (Editor of Optometry Advisor & Ophthalmology Advisor )

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