Optometrists sing to the tune of advocacy in 2024

Image credit: AdobeStock/STOATPHOTO

Advocacy is at the heart of optometry. Every day, optometrists advocate for their patients, their field, and themselves. This was underscored at this year’s Optometry’s Meeting, hosted by the American Optometric Association (AOA) in Nashville, Tennessee, June 19 through 22, 2024. Optometrists from across the country gathered to learn from clinical lectures, debate trends, explore technological advancements, and expand their minds.

Advocacy and allyship in eye care

During the opening session, AOA President Steven T. Reed, OD, addressed recent efforts to advocate for coverage and reimbursement fairness, which has led to more than 10,000 meetings and interactions with policy makers since last year’s congress. “This is what I know will be a powerful week, filled with world-class continuing education [and] opportunities to connect with colleagues, conduct the business of our association, and reenergize ourselves for the work we want to accomplish together,” said Reed in the opening session.

Derek Bryant, president of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), shared similar sentiments, as he spoke on the power of everyday advocacy. “It’s about spreading the word that we are here to make a difference, and we are trained to handle a wide range of procedures and treatments that benefit our patients immensely,” he said in an address.

Watch an exclusive interview with Bryant here.

The first day of the meeting, which happened to be Juneteenth, featured an advocacy event hosted by the AOA, Black EyeCare Perspective, and Johnson & Johnson Vision. The event showcased a panel that discussed the power of mentorship, networking, and allyship.

Hear thoughts from Black EyeCare Perspective founder Jacobi Cleaver, OD, FAAO here.

Making waves in pediatric eye care

At Optometry’s Meeting 2023, the AOA called for the mobilization of national pediatric vision and eye health measures, specifically in relation to myopia. The industry has risen to the occasion: AOA Trustee Curtis A. Ono, OD, updated the organization’s House of Delegates on the actions inspired by the
2023 congress.

First, the AOA-supported Early Detection of Vision Impairments in Children Act was introduced in Congress in May. The act’s goal is to provide resources to states and communities that will aid in establishing or improving systems of care for children’s vision. This builds upon the AOA Foundation’s InfantSEE initiative, which provides no-cost, comprehensive eye assessments to infants aged 6 to 12 months, regardless of family income or insurance coverage.

Additionally, the Myopia Collective, a joint effort from AOA and CooperVision to shift the focus of myopia from correction to comprehensive treatment, announced its inaugural class of Change Agents. The collective is slated to set a new standard of care for children with myopia.

Read more about the Change Agents here.

Advocating for optometrists’ rights

Beyond exercising voices in pursuit of patient care, AOA Executive Director Jon Hymes reported on the ongoing efforts to protect doctors of optometry. “We are growing in size, clout, and effectiveness and are well prepared to continue to do all that it takes to safeguard optometry’s essential and expanding role in health care and support the practice success of our doctors,” Hymes told attendees during the House of Delegates meeting.

Some of the highlights include a US Supreme Court brief filing in conjunction with the American Dental Association to block vision and dental plans from issuing the Employee Retirement Income Security Act statute to avoid state-level compliance; a new partnership with AMVETS, a Veterans Service Organization, to recognize optometric scope within the Veterans Affairs health system; support from the National Consumers League to address federal legislation to ban “robocalls” within the contact lens marketplace; and successful implementation of the AOA Health and Vision Plan Action Report, which tracks member-reported challenges and complaints with health and vision plans to inform future action.

“We’ve made clear over the last year that we’ll do whatever it takes to always stand up for optometrists’ rights and fair treatment,” said Hymes.