The American Optician:
Is Transformation and Change Taking Place?
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This
month, I am going to diverge from my
recent management topics, and look to some
positive changes taking shape in the world of
opticianry.
I am very
proud of some great work going on around the
country that will have a national affect. As
every reader is aware, I am a strong advocate
for changing and expanding opticianry.
Many of
us who want to see change take place are
extremely frustrated at the seemingly slow pace
required to affect change, but some recent
things are happening that gives this writer some
real hope for the future. Often those who are
involved in change find themselves alone, or at
least they feel alone, but take a look at some
of the great initiatives going on, and you will
see that people are working to improve
opticianry. I, for one, appreciate the great
work they are doing and hope they are successful
in their endeavors. Let’s take a look.
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Florida Legislation
The first activity I want to bring to your attention is
happening as you read this article in the great state of
Florida. Exact information on the bill can be found on the
website of the Professional Opticians of Florida (www.pof.org),
and I want to state publicly how very proud I am for their
efforts on behalf of us all. POF is one of, if not THE best,
opticianry organizations in the country, and is run by an
outstanding Executive Director, Mr. Mark Miller. They are
working on a bill that would expand the scope of practice
for opticians in Florida, and positively affect several
other important restrictions on opticians. From a source I
have discussed this bill with at length, it appears it was
spearheaded by a legislator very interested in consumer
issues. Please review the information below, and see what
you think. Very interesting “doings” in the great state
of Florida, the following is from the POF website:
Professional Opticians of Florida is extremely pleased to announce that a very pro-consumer and pro-opticianry bill was introduced into both chambers for Florida’s 2011 legislative session as House Bill 549 by Rep. Tobia (R) of Melbourne and as Senate Bill 868 by Sen. Sobel (D) of Hollywood.
The highlights of these proposed changes that are in the Bills and of most interest to opticians are:
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Removes the restriction on opticians performing refractions of the eye*
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Allows opticians and optometrists to form a partnership, corporation or professional association to create, own and manage an optical establishment together
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Clarifies the term ‘optical dispensing’ by adding the word final into the legal definition to read as, “…transferring an optical aid to the wearer after an optician completes the final fitting…”
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Requires apprentices entering the program after July 1, 2011 will need to earn at least 12 semester hours of college credit
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Non-licensed supportive personnel working in an optometrist’s office will only be able to dispense eye wear and provide the final fitting on a patient under the direct supervision of the optometrist and not under the general supervision as the optometric rules allow now
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Restrict optometrists from delegating to another person, the duty of determining the refractive error of the eye unless that person is specifically licensed to provide these services
*Additional language is currently being drafted to also include the educational curriculum, competencies, and practice standards that would allow qualified Florida opticians to refract.
Online Eyewear Sales
Another important issue significantly affecting not only opticians, but also optometrists is the proliferation of online “retailers” selling eyewear across state lines, and the lack of professional oversight of such entities. Well, I can tell you that there is an active group working on this issue. I had the privilege of lecturing at the Optical Society of Western New York (OSWNY) meeting in balmy Buffalo, New York recently, and heard all about it! While the February weather was not great for a good old Southerner like me, the people were great, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them.
They are doing something interesting, and requesting assistance from the State Department of Education that regulates the health profession in the state. Online sales are not much of an issue in my state, according to most I talk to, but in Western New York, it is taking a big chunk out of the market. President Arnold Edelman and Vice President Dennis Bunz and their membership have asked in a formal letter for the Department of Education that regulates the health professions in the state of New York to take action to stop the unlawful sale of prescription eyewear in the state. It is unlawful in New York to dispense a pair of spectacles without a license, and this group correctly points out that not only will they send a patient a pair of spectacles based on a faxed Rx, they will also make changes to that Rx without consulting the prescribing doctor. If an Optician were to do that, they would soon be in jail!
These online retailers need to be policed just like the rest to assure the safety and well being of the public. OSWNY is moving to require these folks to dispense according to state law, and that is right and fair. Most feel online sales will continue to grow, and the public may be placed at risk if untrained people are attempting to do the job of the professionals. I applaud their efforts. More needs to be done to look into this situation and come to some conclusions before too long.
SAO Update
Finally, I want to address the Society to Advance Opticianry from a previous article. The organization now has a website (www.advanceopticianry.org). It should be active by the time this article is published, and I hope you will take a look at what they are attempting to do. It is administratively supported by the Opticians Association of America and is dedicated to recognizing opticians who have advanced educations and licensure/certification. It is an excellent group of dedicated people who want see opticianry advance to a higher rung up the eyecare ladder. Review this site and consider becoming a member.
I know, I can hear the rumbling now. Another organization……we need that like another hole in the head! But folks, we hope this one will be different. Its sole purpose is to provide recognition for opticians who have gone the extra mile. Much like the CPA is to general accountants, the advanced-practice opticians recognized by the SAO will be the cream of the crop of opticians educationally. These folks will have taken the time to go to school to truly learn optical theory. They are the problem-solver, and really know how to analyze patients’ optical problems and correct them. They sat for, and obtained advanced-level board certifications, and want to do more than discuss frame cosmetics with Mrs. Jones. They should be able to market themselves as the advanced-level practitioner they are, and SAO will help to do that.
We can do more as opticians, and the SAO wants to recognize the thousands out there who have gone the extra mile to educate themselves. Those who come to the field to simply “sell glasses” can continue along that path, but SAO wants to see the field expand and improve. The SAO is for you, if you have similar feelings. If you do not have the requisite education, they can help you obtain it, and will work to see your goals accomplished.
Conclusion
Things are changing, and it appears the work many have done for years may be paying dividends……..finally! I am excited about these efforts, and wanted to keep you, our readers abreast of these and others. If you have something going on in your state, please let us know. We want to support your efforts, and I look forward to any comments. I am going to try to keep you updated on things that can affect you. If you know of anything that should be made known to the field, please contact me through the magazine. I will get the word out!
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