LettersFlood help,Microwaving CL casesand APHA

4

Eye on WashingtonOptometrists celebrate 20 years of eye care under Medicare

7

Glance at the StatesODs convene with lawmakers

5

Volume 46 September 3, 2007 No. 3

See Scope, page 5

At a glance:

Virtually all of thenation’s practicingoptometrists — some29,465 – are registeredwith the Medicare program.

New Jersey passes pilot program for 2nd-grade eye exams

New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine (D) signedA3817, which establishes a three-year pilot program toconduct comprehensive eye examinations for second-grade students, on Aug. 2.

“By implementing this program, we hope to mini-mize the number of children whose vision problems toooften go undetected, resulting in their being categorizedas special education students,” said Gov. Corzine.

“This law was the result of Assemblyman Diegnan’sinterest on the issue of children’s vision and its impacton children being inappropriately placed into specialeducation settings,” said Bryan Markowitz, New JerseySociety of Optometric Physicians executive director.

Eye assessments “will help ensure that children withundiagnosed vision impairments are not incorrectly clas-sified as needing to be enrolled in special educationclasses,” said Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D).“There are indications that a growing number of parentsof students with poor eyesight are erroneously beingtold their child needs placement in a special educationprogram.”

In the spring of 2006, the New Jersey Commission

See New Jersey, page 14

Illinois Gov. RodBlagojevich (D) signedHB 1366 into law on

Aug. 17. The law expandsoptometrists’ oral prescriptiveauthority in the state.

“The law provides uswith all oral medicationsneeded to treat our patients,”said Michael Horstman,Illinois OptometricAssociation executive director.

The act adds the authori-ty to prescribe oral anti-infec-tive agents, oral anti-allergyagents, oral anti-glaucoma

agents (except oral carbonicanhydrase inhibitors, whichmay be prescribed only in aquantity to provide treatmentfor up to 72 hours), oral anti-inflammatory agents (exceptoral steroids), the use of injec-tion for treatment of anaphy-laxis, and controlled anal-gesics in Schedules III, IV, orV in quantities to providetreatment for up to 72 hours.

Oral drugs for childrenunder 5 years of age may onlybe prescribed in consultationwith a physician.

Illinois expands ODs orals authority

Scope of practice advances

“The bill is a culminationof three to four years of effortby the association, the IllinoisCollege of Optometry, and theIllinois Eye Institute all work-ing together to obtain its pas-sage,” said Horstman. “It trulywas a team effort.”

The law goes into effecton Jan. 1, 2008.

Licensees renewing theirlicenses in the cycle beginningApril 1, 2008, will be requiredto pass an orals course asapproved by the optometryboard.

Louisiana ODs gain all orals, topicals

Anew Louisiana lawextendingoptometrists’ pre-

scription authority to includeall oral drugs went into effecton Aug. 15.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco(D) signed the legislation onJune 21 after several years oflobbying and educating thelegislature by the OptometryAssociation of Louisiana(OAL).

“The new law allowstherapeutically licensed ODsin Louisiana to prescribe allorals (except schedule I andII narcotics) and all topicals,

relative to treatment of theeye and adnexa,” saidTimothy J. Barry, O.D.,immediate past president ofthe OAL and a member of theAOA State GovernmentRelations Center ExecutiveCommittee. “This bill allowsour patients access to anyexisting or future oral or topi-cal medication relative to eyecare.”

“We were concerned asmuch for the future as thepresent, as we think there aregoing to be new oral drugs forconditions such as glaucomaand dry eye, and optometrists

would not have been able toprescribe them,” said JimSandefur, O.D., OAL execu-tive director. “We are nowprotected into the future.”

Drs. Barry and Sandefurmet with all of the membersof the House Health andWelfare Committee to educatethem about the legislationprior to the vote.

“After clearing the Housecommittee, OAL membersstormed the Capitol for theHouse vote, which was won78-24, and then again for the

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:59 PM Page 1

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sept 3.qxp 8/24/2007 11:35 AM Page 2

September 3, 2007 3

American Optometric Association News (ISSN: 0094-9620) is published 18 times per year by Elsevier Inc., 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010. Months of issue are once monthly in January, June, July, August, November, and December

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AOA Board

Kevin L. Alexander, O.D., Ph.D.PRESIDENT

Peter H. Kehoe, O.D.PRESIDENT-ELECT

Randolph E. Brooks, O.D.VICE PRESIDENT

Joe E. Ellis, O.D.SECRETARY-TREASURER

C. Thomas Crooks, III, O.D.IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

TRUSTEES

Dori M. Carlson, O.D.David A. Cockrell, O.D.

Ronald L. Hopping, O.D., M.P.H.Steven A. Loomis, O.D.

Mitchell T. Munson, O.D.Andrea Thau, O.D.

AOA News Staffwww.aoanews.org

Bob Foster EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

RAFOSTER@AOA.ORG

Bob Pieper SENIOR EDITOR

RFPIEPER@AOA.ORG

Tracy OvertonASSOCIATE EDITOR

TLOVERTON@AOA.ORG

Stephen M. WassermanDIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

SMWASSERMAN@AOA.ORG

243 N. Lindbergh Blvd.St. Louis MO 63141

(800) 365-2219www.aoa.org

In 1985, a delightful filmappeared in theaters featur-ing an eccentric scientist

by the name of Dr. EmmettBrown who created a timemachine out of a nuclear-pow-ered DeLorean.

Back to the Futureintrigued moviegoers withwhat it would be like to travelback and forth in time. Howincredibly useful would such amachine be to the AOA to pre-dict the future of health care sowe could prepare today for thecertain changes of tomorrow?What would we do differentlytoday if we knew what wouldhappen in the future?

In 2005, AOA PresidentWesley Pittman, O.D., createdoptometry’s version of a timemachine when he put inmotion plans for Optometry2020 – a series of three profes-sion-wide summits to look atthe future of eye care andoptometry’s role in the future.

Between August 2005 andAugust 2006 and involvingthree separate Summits, 250attendees from 20 optometricorganizations met to look atthe future. In Summit I, par-ticipants developed a sense ofoptometry’s role in the year2020 as we heard from futur-ists, economists and experts inour field—learning about peo-ple, business, health care andeconomics.

Throughout the Summits,participants concentrated oneight areas of interest: 1) EyeCare Patient/Consumer,2) Science and Technology,3) Economics, 4) Eye CareDelivery, 5) HumanResources, 6) Knowledge,Education and Training,

7) Licensure, Regulation andContinued/AdvancedCompetence and 8) Industryand Profession Synergies.

Summit II participantstook the information presentedin Summit I and developed alist of “preferred futures” foreach of the eight areas ofinterest. Between Summit IIand Summit III, participantsreviewed these futures andranked each according toimportance to the professionand our patients.

The charge at the thirdand final Summit was two-fold. First, participants wereasked to finalize the list of“preferred futures” resulting ina list of 57 possible futuresthat could lead to better patientcare and a stronger professionby the year 2020. Second,each optometric organizationwas asked to identify four tosix futures they thought theirgroups could influence.

I’d like to review thefutures selected by representa-tives of the AOA and stateaffiliates at Summit III andgive you some insight intohow these futures have beenincorporated into the AOA’sstrategic plan.

All consumers seekoptometry as THE absolutefirst and best point of accessto quality eye and visioncare.

This future has been a toppriority of the AOA for manyyears. Our recent work withHill & Knowlton has achievedreal results in advancingoptometry as the “top-of-mind” source for eye andvision care.

Impact of new technolo-gies —The impact ofadvanced technology hasincreased quality of care,access to care and optomet-ric productivity.

Technological changesin eye care delivery systemsallow optometry to focusmore on diagnosing andtreating ocular and systemicconditions/diseases.Optometry fully incorpo-rates genomics.

The AOA continues towork with the schools and col-leges to incorporate the latesttechnology into our optometriccurricula. Our relationshipswith optometric researchersthrough the AOA Council onResearch allow the AOA toparticipate in advances in tech-nology and science in a verydirect way. The continuingeducation courses and exten-sive exhibits presented atOptometry’s MeetingTM putnew technology directly infront of practitioners whoquickly implement productsand instruments in their prac-tices.

Doctors of Optometry areparticipating in any third-party plan of their choicewithout discriminationregarding reimbursement oraccess.

The AOA, along with ourstate affiliates, continue tomake inroads with inclusion ofoptometric services and practi-tioners in health plans acrossthe country. It is a slow anddifficult process, and the AOAneeds the support of everyoptometrist in order to achievethis critical future.

Ninety percent ofoptometrists representing allmodes of practice are mem-bers of the AOA (or its cur-rent equivalent).

Optometry will succeedas a profession only if it is rep-resented by a strong profes-sional association. The AOAcontinues to strive to increaseits numbers by serving itsmembers with a strong advo-cacy agenda and programs thatlead to better eye care for ourpatients.

Optometry has a system ofuniform licensure and regu-lation across all jurisdictions.

The AOA recognizes thebenefits of uniform recogni-tion of our profession in termsof mobility of optometrists. Itis clear that the future will seeincreased mobility of theworkforce, and optometrymust respond. Doing this leg-islatively may be prohibitive,which is one of the reasons theAOA, along with other organi-zations, agreed to look at

Optometry 2020 – Back to the Future

See President, page 9

Dr. Alexander

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:29 PM Page 3

4 AOA NEWS

Thanks to theAOA FoundationEditor:

On June 26, 2007, mypractice was flooded as wereother businesses, homes, andproperties across Texas. Thisweek I received a check fromthe AOA Foundation. I want-ed to take a moment to thankthe AOA for this service andhelping out in times of need.Believe me, when you payyour annual dues the lastthing that comes to mind isyour professional organizationwill come to your assistanceafter a disaster. Thank youagain.

Robert L. Staples, O.D.Wichita Falls, TX

Microwaving contact lenscases not idealEditor:

Do not recommendpatients to microwave theircontact lens case. To test therecommendation in the April16, 2007, edition of AOANews, we placed severalscrew top cases in the

microwave and set for threeminutes as instructed. At twominutes, one of the casesmelted and severely permeat-ed the office with a foul odor.Unless you want a disgruntledpatient demanding that youreplace their microwave ovenand deodorize their house,don’t recommend disinfectingin the microwave.

Geoffrey Carlson, O.D.Oroville, CA

Editor’s note: In response toDr. Carlson’s letter, LouiseSclafani, O.D., chair of theAOA Contact Lens andCornea Section, andChristine Sindt, O.D., testedall available lens cases.

They caution that casesshould always be open, andplaced in microwave-safecontainers filled with water.

However, even in thoseconditions, microwaving thecases can lead to casedestruction and could allowsome pathogens to survive,they say. Look for the AOA tourge more effective regimens.

The AOA Contact Lensand Cornea Section recom-

mends patients follow theseguidelines for lens case care:� Every day, mechanicallyscrub (using a clean wash-cloth or new toothbrush) theinside and outside of the lenscase with sterile contact lensdisinfecting solution.� Avoid using tap water towash or store lens cases.Note: water must be greateror equal to 70º C (158º F) tokill Acanthamoeba cysts.Water boils at 100ºC (212ºF),so boiling a lens case is effec-tive in sterilization. Runningthrough the dishwasher maynot be hot enough and mayallow contamination fromother debris.� Air dry your contact lenscase when not in use. Afterrinsing with sterile contactlens solution, the caps shouldremain off and the case cov-ered with a clean towel. Note:the Proguard® lens case,used only with Aquify® solu-tion, is recommended to bestored with the lens cap onfor continued anti-microbialproperties. (CIBA Vision rec-ommendation.)� Replace the lens caseafter a maximum of three

months, but preferably month-ly.

APHA alliesEditor:

In a recent letter to AOANews, Morton Silverman,O.D., asked for optometricsupport for the AmericanPublic Health Association andspecifically for the VisionCare Section.

I would like to stronglysecond that appeal! TheAPHA has been a staunchfriend of optometry beginningin the days of DPA and con-tinuing with support for ourTPA efforts to this day. It is atremendous validation ofoptometry to have an inde-pendent third party with asterling reputation like theAPHA to go to bat for you.The Optometry Associationof Louisiana recognized years

ago the value and necessity ofkeeping the Vision CareSection vibrant, and conse-quently the association fundsannual members for all offi-cers of our association. Tenmemberships only cost$1,600 per year.

If Louisiana can afford it,every state can. If every statedid, we would add 500 mem-bers to the Vision CareSection and more than doublethe membership! And signifi-cantly increase optometry’sstrength on the governingcouncil.

I urge the presidents andexecutive directors of eachstate to have their associationjoin in. So easy...

James D. Sandefur, O.D.,Executive DirectorOptometry Association ofLouisianaBaton Rouge

LETTERS

Send letters to: Editor, AOA News 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis MO 63141.RAFoster@aoa.org. AOA News reserves the right toedit letters submitted for publication.

At the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), mem-bers of the State Government Relations Center ExecutiveCommittee, from left, Timothy J. Barry, O.D., and Robert L.Jarrell, III, O.D., and Richard T. Lawless, executive director ofthe Massachusetts Society of Optometrists, met with legislatorsand others. Experiencing its largest attendance ever — at9,100 registrants, including 1,900 state legislators — the NCSL,the largest membership organization for state legislators, con-vened for its annual meeting in Boston, August 5–9.

The NCSL is a bipartisan membership organization thatserves the nation’s 7,382 state lawmakers and legislativestaff.

Dr. Barry noted “attending this meeting provides uswith the biggest bang for the buck by having an opportu-nity to educate legislators from states who have very lim-ited scope of practice about how optometry in states withbroad prescriptive authority have enhanced patient accessto full-scope primary eye care.”

He added, “The next best thing was being able tomeet with my local legislators and letting them seeoptometry has a national presence with a familiarface. Seeing these same faces in a Louisiana committeehearing the Monday following NCSL carried anunspeakable weight in defeating a resolution underconsideration in the Louisiana legislature that wouldhave created a medical-based review board over allfuture scope of practice legislation.”

“From my perspective, exhibiting at NCSL providesAOA with a great opportunity to connect with legisla-tors,” said Dr. Jarrell, from New Mexico. “SGRC hasgreat knowledge of the key legislative battles in everystate. At NCSL we are able to talk to legislators whohave supported optometric legislation in their homestate. Our ability to discuss their legislation surprisedthem and really gave them a sense of pride that theyhad supported something with national implications."

Optometry takes message to state legislators

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:29 PM Page 4

September 3, 2007 5

GLANCE AT THE STATES

Senate vote, where it passed29-8,” said Dr. Barry. “Nearly80 optometrists lobbied at theCapitol on the day of theSenate vote. Many otherswere there for the House vote

as well. While the medicallobby pulled out all of thestops to have the governorveto the bill, letters, e-mails,and phone calls fromLouisiana ODs, along withsupport from the bill’s author

and the president of theSenate, convinced the gover-nor to sign the bill into law.”

“The opposition actuallythrew in the towel before theSenate floor vote, which wasthe last vote in the process,and not a single ophthalmolo-

gist or their lobbyist showedfor the vote,” said Dr.Sandefur.

“The opposition thenmounted the biggest-ever vetoattempt, but we won again.For three weeks after the gov-

ernor had already signed thebill, they kept going on TVand radio talk shows to blastus and got two major newspa-pers to write editorials, withactual falsehoods in them,blasting the bill,” he said.

Dr. Barry credits their

success to a great team effort.“Our executive director,

Dr. Jim Sandefur, coached it; Iquarterbacked it; and themembership took the ball andplunged full speed ahead forthe touchdown,” he said.

At the American LegislativeExchange Council’s (ALEC) 34thAnnual Meeting, Utah Sen. Curtis S.Bramble (R), Majority Leader, UtahSenate, meets with Clarke D.Newman, O.D., member of the StateGovernment Relations Center (SGRC)Executive Committee.

More than 2,000 state legislators,business leaders, and public policyexperts gathered in Philadelphia,July 25 – 29, for ALEC’s meeting.ALEC is a bipartisan membershipassociation for conservative statelawmakers.

Dr. Newman commented that,“while my personal political philoso-phy may be quite different frommembers of ALEC, it was satisfyingto find attendees willing to talkabout substantive issues in searchfor common ground. It was a posi-tive experience regarding the overallpolitical dialogue on matters affect-ing optometrists and the patients weserve.”

“We were concerned as much for the future as the present, as we think there are going to benew oral drugs for conditions such as glaucomaand dry eye, and optometrists would not have

been able to prescribe them.”

ODs and many others worked hard to get the legislation passed.

ODs convenewith lawmakers

Scope,from page 1

The AOA and otherhealth care providerorganizations are ask-

ing Medicaid to postpone andclarify a planned requirementfor tamper-resistant pharma-ceutical prescriptions.

Starting on Oct. 1, 2007,Medicaid plans to require allnon-electronic outpatient drugprescriptions be written ontamper-resistant pads.

The new requirementwas authorized earlier thisyear under a provisionattached to the U.S. TroopReadiness, Veterans’ Care,Katrina Recovery, and IraqAccountability AppropriationsAct.

State Medicare directorswere informed of the newrequirement in an August let-ter from the U.S. Centers forMedicare & MedicaidServices (CMS).

“There is simply notenough time to educate alloptometrists on the imple-mentation of the new pads.(Several) issues need to beaddressed before such a pro-gram can be executed withoutdisruption of care,” wroteMichele Haranin, O.D., chairof the AOA Federal RelationsCommittee in an Aug 13 let-ter to the CMS.

“The provision offers noconsistent definition of ‘tamp-er-resistant prescription pads’nor does it provide the guid-ance on which pads meet therequirements or where to getthem,” Dr. Haranin continued.“Additionally, several statescurrently have programs thatmandate the use of tamper-proof pads, but the CMS failsto acknowledge whether theseprograms are acceptableunder the new guidelines.”

According to the CMSletter to Medicaid directors,pharmaceutical prescriptionpads can be considered tamp-er-resistant if they:� Prevent unauthorized

copying of a completed orblank prescriptionform;� Prevent the erasure ormodification of informationwritten on the prescription bythe prescriber; or� Prevent the use of coun-terfeit prescription forms.

State Medicare programsmust require pharmaceuticalprescriptions be written onpads meeting at least one ofthose baseline requirementsby Oct. 1 of this year.

By October 1, 2008,states must require all threecharacteristics onprescription pads in order tobe considered tamper-resist-ant.

The letter to stateMedicaid directors outlinesvarious situations in whichthe new requirement does anddoes not apply.

The requirement does notapply:� when the prescription iscommunicated by the pre-scriber to the pharmacy elec-tronically, verbally, or by fax;� a managed care entitypays for the prescription; � or in most situationswhen drugs are provided incertain institutional and clini-cal facilities.

The letter also allowsemergency fills as long as aprescriber provides a verbal,faxed, electronic, or compli-ant written prescription within72 hours.

The requirement appliesonly to pharmaceutical pre-scriptions and not ophthalmiclens prescriptions.

The AOA was awaiting aresponse from the CMS asthis AOA News went to press.Practitioners seeking addition-al information on the newprescription pad requirementsshould contact their stateMedicaid directors.

Medicaid tamper-resistant Rx rule draws fire

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:30 PM Page 5

Executive DirectorThe American Optometric Association is seeking an experiencedExecutive Director. The Executive Director serves the AmericanOptometric Association as its Chief Executive Officer, administering thebusiness and other affairs and overall management of the association.The Executive Director recommends the formulation of new policies to theBoard of Trustees, provides policy and program leadership and imple-ments approved policy within existing guidelines approved by the Boardof Trustees and/or the House of Delegates. The Executive Director coor-dinates staff of approximately 100 employees in carrying out programsand activities of the association to meet the objectives established by theBoard of Trustees.

It is incumbent upon the Executive Director to maintain effective internalrelationships with the staff, and create collaborative external relationshipswith affiliated associations, allied optometric associations, industry andassociations related to the ophthalmic and health care field. TheExecutive Director will provide leadership in assisting the association toeffectively address the interests and concerns of the profession. TheExecutive Director will also strive to achieve efficient productive perform-ance at all levels within the association structure and provide program-ming to meet short-term and long-term goals of the association and theprofession.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated leadership experience inmanaging people, excellent supervisory skills, and superior public speak-ing ability. Successful candidate will also possess excellent negotiationskills and a high degree of integrity; organizational skills, the ability tomanage multiple priorities, and excellent written and verbal communica-tion skills. Position holder must be able to travel extensively. An under-graduate degree with several years’ experience in a senior managementposition is required. An extensive background within the ophthalmic com-munity and optometry is strongly preferred. Graduate work in health sci-ences and association management would be desirable. Excellent bene-fits. Qualified applicants please forward your resume with salary historyand requirements to: HumanResources@AOA.org.

American Optometric AssociationHuman Resources243 N. Lindbergh Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63141An Equal Opportunity Employer

Applications accepted until September 14, 2007.

For more information about the American Optometric Association, visitour Web site at www.aoa.org.

6 AOA NEWS

Medicare facts� Virtually all of the nation’s practicing optometrists -- some 29,465 – are registered with theMedicare program.� The Medicare fee-for-service program now represents 15.3 percent of the patients in atypical AOA member optometric practice.� The Medicare fee-for-service program now represents 13.8 percent of the revenues in thetypical optometric practice, second only to Vision Service Plan (VSP).� Medicare HMOs represent another 2.6 percent of patients and 2.4 percent of revenues.� Taken together, federal government health programs now represent more revenues andpatients in optometric practices than any other third-party payer.

When JosephWachtel said hedidn’t want his

girlfriend to see his marriageproposal coming, he meantit.

After researching on theInternet, Wachtel had theidea to pop the big questionduring an eye exam.

After making a fewcalls, Wachtel foundBrandon Hunter, O.D., inLeawood, KS.

“The patient called afew months ago to make anappointment for himself andhis girlfriend,” said Dr.Hunter. “And then he had aspecial request. He wanted tosee if he could propose to hisgirlfriend during the exam.”

Dr. Hunter, who hasbeen in private practice forsix months, had newer visualacuity panels set up that

would allow for customiza-tion of the presentation.

Wachtel came into theoffice a few days before theappointment to customize theeye chart and set up thearrangements with Dr. Hunter.

Wachtel and his girl-friend, Rebecca Savoy, finallyarrived for their eye examsthe afternoon of Saturday,Aug. 4.

After their exams, whilethey were selecting frames,Dr. Hunter asked Savoy toreturn to the exam room so hecould double-check a fewthings. He said Wachtel waswelcome to join them.

As they had prearranged,Wachtel asked if he couldwash his hands in the sink.He then recovered the ringthat had been hidden earlier.Meanwhile, Dr. Hunter posi-tioned the phoroptor and

blurred things up for Savoy.He changed her focus, andshe started reading the letters:“W…I…L…L…Y…O…U…M…A…R…R…Y…M…E…”

Savoy asked what wasgoing on and burst into tears.

The office staff switchedthe music to a list of the cou-ple’s favorite songs.

Wachtel then kneeleddown and proposed to Savoy.She said yes.

“She was so excited andvery surprised,” said Dr.Hunter. “And it just all cametogether. It was a combinationof having an office that coulddo it and an office that woulddo it.”

The idea was so novelthat “Good MorningAmerica” broadcast live fromthe Hunter Family Visionoffice on Aug. 21 with the

story.Wachtel and Savoy

returned to talk about theireye-catching proposal.

While they have yet toset a date, the couple saidthey are looking forward to

their future together.“I do think the Woodlyn

technology that we have ispretty neat,” said Dr. Hunter.“It gives us the ability tochange patients’ lives in waysit wasn’t even meant for.”

Exam room is perfect place for offbeat proposal

Rebecca Savoy and Joseph Wachtel celebratetheir engagement in the office of BrandonHunter, O.D.

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:32 PM Page 6

EYE ON WASHINGTON

Errors could preventODs from obtainingPQRI bonus payments

Optometrists’ reporting of new Medicare PhysicianQuality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) measures may not be for-warded for analysis within the PQRI as a result of remittanceadvice remark code errors on Medicare Explanation ofBenefits (EOB) notices, the AOA Advocacy Group warns.

Failure by Medicare carriers to forward the claim infor-mation could prevent optometrists from receiving bonus pay-ments under the PQRI.

The AOA Advocacy Group reports numerous complaintsfrom optometrists who filed claims for quality measures includ-ed under the PQRI, using the new Level II CPT codes asrequired, and then received EOB notices with remittanceadvice remark codes that inappropriately indicate that theywere not eligible to perform the services.

The appropriate claim adjustment reason code for thequality measures that can be reported under the PQRI is CO-96 (non-covered service) with the remittance advice remarkcode of N365 (this procedure code is not payable; it is forinformational/reporting purposes only).

However, a number of optometrists have reported receiv-ing EOB notices with inappropriate codes such as PR-185 orCO-185, both of which indicate the rendering provider isnot eligible to perform the service billed.

Optometrists who receive EOB notices with those orother inappropriate remittance advice remark codes shouldforward the EOB notices to the AOA Washington office.

The AOA Washington staff will forward the EOB noticesto the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS) for corrective action. To comply with the federalHealth Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)privacy regulation, practitioners should remove patient namesand Social Security numbers from EOB notices.

The new PQRI voluntary quality reporting program offers1.5 percent Medicare payment bonuses when health carepractitioners appropriately report designated quality caremeasures on Medicare claims using a new set of CPT IIcodes (see AOA News, June 2007).

The first PQRI reporting period began July 1, 2007, andruns through Dec. 31, 2007. Health care providers whoqualify under the program will receive lump sum bonus pay-ments during the first quarter of 2008.

Because the PQRI is a voluntary quality reporting pro-gram, (with bonus payments computed and remitted sepa-rately from other Medicare payments) services reported withCPT II codes for consideration under the PQRI are technically“denied” for Medicare Part B payment, the AOA AdvocacyGroup notes.

However, the remittance advice code placed on theEOB notice to explain the denial is important, the AOAAdvocacy Group emphasizes. The use of the C0-185 or PR-185 remark codes may prevent the reporting of the qualitycodes for analysis for the PQRI bonus incentive payment, theAOA Advocacy Group warned in a bulletin last month.

At the AOA’s request, the CMS has already advised allMedicare carriers of the remittance advice error and instruct-ed them to use the CO-96 and N365 advice codes whenprocessing PQRI claims submitted by optometrists.

Medicare, olderAmericans, and thepractice of optome-

try have all benefited as theresult of action, two decadesago, to recognize optometristsas eye care providers under thegovernment health program,according to AOA PresidentKevin Alexander, O.D., Ph.D.

However, few ever stop toconsider exactly how muchthey’ve benefited.

Optometry this yearmarks the 20th anniversary oflandmark federal legislationunder which Medicare, onApril 1, 1987, recognizedoptometrists as “physicians”for the purposes of providingany services that are coveredby the plan and thatoptometrists are authorized toprovide under state law.

That would open the doorto optometric diagnosis andtreatment of Medicare patientsfor a range of eye conditions— from ocular inflammationsand allergies to glaucoma anddiabetic retinopathy — as wellas optometric comanagementof Medicare eye surgerypatients.

Prior to that time,optometrists under Medicarehad only one function: the dis-pensing of eyewear to post-cataract surgery patients (whenthe ophthalmologist who per-formed the surgery chose notto do so).

The action came as theresult of a marathon 22-yearAOA legislative campaign,recalled David Ferris, O.D.,the past AOA president (1986-87) who played a leading rolein the effort.

Many optometrists hadadamantly opposed participa-tion in Medicare when thenew government health pro-gram was established in 1965.However, older adults quicklydiscovered that eye examina-tions by ophthalmologistswere generally covered underthe new health program whileexaminations by optometristswere not.

“The result was that whenyou turn 65, you went to anophthalmologist,” noted then-AOA Counsel Thomas E.Eichhorst. “Optometrists sud-denly saw life-long patientsleaving and feared that theirpractices would be greatlyreduced.”

With patient attrition sud-denly a growing concern foroptometrists, the AOA in 1967launched an effort to expandthe role of optometrists underMedicare.

Adding impetus over timewas the expansion of optomet-ric scope of practice throughthe enactment of state diagnos-tic pharmaceutical agent(DPA) laws beginning in 1971and therapeutic pharmaceuticalagent (TPA) legislation in1976. Optometrists realizedthey were able to providemore Medicare-covered serv-ices.

The drive for Medicareprovider parity would encom-pass at least four differentreports to Congress, two con-gressional hearings, twoamendments to the federalMedicare law and a role in the1986 budget standoff betweenCongress and the WhiteHouse.

Initial success wasachieved in 1980 with legisla-tion that allowed optometriststo begin, the following year, toexamine aphakic patients, aswell as fill their eyewear pre-scriptions.

However, the turningpoint came in 1984 when lead-ing senior citizen advocateRep. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) introduced the MedicareVision Reform Act, concernedthat inability to obtainMedicare-covered eye carethrough optometrists was pre-senting a hardship on the eld-erly.

The eye care proposalwould eventually form thebasis for the legislation thatwould be signed into law byPresident Ronald Regan in1986 as part of a budget rec-onciliation package.

(President Reagan wouldinitially veto the package, inpart due to the optometricprovider provision. TheAmerican Academy ofOphthalmology declared theissue “dead” for the year.)

The CMS and AOA sta-tistics demonstrate that overthe past 20 years, optometryhas become a major providerof eye care services toMedicare and that Medicarehas become an importantsource of patients and revenuefor most optometric practices.

However, Dr. Alexanderobserves, Medicare’s recogni-tion of optometrists as eyecare providers could proveeven more important over thecoming years as the U.S. pop-ulation ages and Medicaremoves toward preventive careand quality management pro-grams.

Optometrists celebrate 20 yearsof eye care under Medicare

September 3, 2007 7

see Errors, page 8

Prior to that time,optometrists under

Medicare had only onefunction: the dispensing ofeyewear to post-cataract

surgery patients (when theophthalmologist who performed the surgerychose not to do so).

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:32 PM Page 7

8 AOA NEWS

AOA offers new 1500 formsmeeting all Medicare standards

Medicare is now accepting paper claims only on thenew Version 08-05 edition of the CMS 1500 claim form,even though the new edition of the form is not yet avail-able through the Government Printing Office (GPO).

The CMS last year announced a program for transi-tion to the new 1500 (08-05) form, then revised the planthis year after finding forms being sold by the GPO didnot meet required specifications.

The CMS began rejecting claims filed on the old 12-90 version of the form on July 2 in line with the agency’srevised implementation plan.

However, health care providers will have to obtainforms from sources other than the government’s own print-ing service, administrators acknowledge.

The AOA Order Department prints its own CMS1500 (08-05) forms based directly on a model obtainedfrom the National Uniform Claim Committee (NUCC),which developed the form. The orders forms are online atthe AOA Web site (www.aoa.org) or call the orderdepartment at (800) 365-2219, ext. 4132.

Members of group practicesneed NPIs for Medicare

Group practices that bill Medicare electronically areconsidered “covered providers” and are required by feder-al regulation to obtain and use National Provider Identifiernumbers (NPIs) to identify themselves as the “Billing” and“Pay-to Providers” in Medicare claims, the CMS noted ina recent statement.

Medicare requires that providers who are identifiedas “Rendering Providers” in Medicare claims also be iden-tified by NPIs, whether or not they are covered providers.

“Therefore, group practices that are enrolled inMedicare will want to ensure that their members (physi-cians or other practitioners) obtain NPIs in order to ensurepayments to the group practices by Medicare,” the CMSstatement emphasizes.

New NPI information productsThe CMS has released three new documents on NPI

use for health care providers:A new Special Edition Medicare Learning Network

(MLN) Matters article, “Important Information forProviders/Suppliers Regarding National Plan and ProviderEnumeration System (NPPES) Errors, Using the NPI onMedicare Claims and 835 Remittance Advice Changes,”offers guidance on how to use the NPI correctly onMedicare Part A and Part B claims as well as advisorieson other issues.

The article may be accessed on the CMS Web siteat www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0725.pdf.

Two new CMS fact sheets detail the specifics of NPIuse for health care organizations and sole proprietors. Thefact sheets for organizations are at www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/NPI_FactSheet_Org_Provi_web_07-03-07.pdf.

The fact sheet for providers who are sole proprietorsis at www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/NPI_FactSheet_Sole_Prop_web.pdf.

EYE ON WASHINGTON

The Centers forMedicare & MedicaidServices’ (CMS) 2007

Medicare Contractor ProviderSatisfaction Survey (MCPSS)finds that, overall, mostMedicare health care providerscontinue to be satisfied withthe services provided byMedicare payment contractors.

Some 85 percent of sur-vey respondents rated theircontractors between 4 and 6on a 6-point scale, with “1”representing “not at all satis-fied” and “6” representing“completely satisfied.”

The national averagescore this year was 4.56.Contractors received an overallcomposite score for the sevenbusiness functions of theprovider-contractor relation-ship: provider communica-tions, provider inquiries,claims processing, appeals,provider enrollment, medicalreview, and provider audit andreimbursement.

For all contractor types, acontractor’s handling ofprovider inquiries surpassedclaims processing as the keypredictor of a provider’s satis-faction.

The CMS has providedcontractors information forprocess improvement based onindividual MCPSS results.The survey, conducted this

Medigap moves to COB system Oct. 1

Effective Oct. 1, Medicare will route claims to supple-mental (Medigap) insurance plans through a newCoordination of Benefits system. Health care providers willbe required to identify Medigap plans on claims using newlyissued Coordination of Benefits Agreement (COBA) numbers.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS) is urging health care practitioners to begin using theCOBA identification numbers as quickly as possible to facili-tate transition to the new system. COBA numbers were to beassigned to all Medigap plans by Aug. 31.

In addition, only claims filed by health care practitionersin the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act(HIPAA) American National Standards Institute (ANSI) X12-N837 professional (version 4010A1) coordination of benefits(COB) claim format or in the National Council for PrescriptionDrug Programs (NCPDP) version 5.1 batch standard 1.1 for-mat will be forwarded to Medigap plans for processing.

Health care providers can find more information onMedicare carrier Web sites or on the CMS Web site atwww.cms.hhs.gov/COBAgreement. An article on thenew Medigap COB system appears in the Septemberedition of Optometry: Journal of the American OptometricAssociation in the “Practice Strategies” section.

Errors,from page 7

Most Medicare providers satisfied with carriers

year for the second year, isdesigned to garner objective,quantifiable data on providersatisfaction with the fee-for-service contractors thatprocess and pay Medicareclaims.

Questionnaires were sentto more than 36,000 randomlyselected providers, includingphysicians, suppliers, healthcare practitioners and institu-

tional facilities that serveMedicare beneficiaries.

The survey was expandedthis year to include hospicelocations and federally quali-fied health centers.

The third MCPSS surveywill be conducted in January2008, according to the CMS.

The full results of the2007 survey are now availableat www.mcpsstudy.org.

However, for optometrists who have already received EOB notices with wrong remittancecodes, the only way at present to correct the error is to submit the EOB to the CMS.

The agency has asked the AOA to collect and forward information on erroneously codedEOB notices that have been received by optometrists. The CMS will then instruct carriers to re-open claims to correct errors.

Optometrists may not re-submit these claims to carriers for the purpose of correcting thereporting of the quality measure codes.

A Medicare Internal Control Number (ICN) on the EOB will allow the CMS to identify theclaim and take corrective action.

Any optometrist receiving a remark other than CO-96/N365 on EOB notices inresponse to the use of Level II CPT codes should fax copies of the EOB notices to AOAAssociate Director of Federal Relations Jodi Mitchell at (703) 739-9497.

More background information on the PQRI is available on the AOA Web site atwww.aoa.org/PQRI.xml. For additional information regarding the correction of erroneousremittance advice on an EOB, contact Mitchell at (703) 837-1348 or jcmitchell@aoa.org.

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:32 PM Page 8

September 3, 2007 9

President,from page 3

board certification as a possi-ble mechanism to achievepractitioner mobility.

Authority to perform limit-ed surgical procedures willbe limited to speciallytrained and credentialedoptometrists.

As states continue toincorporate surgical proce-dures into optometric scopeof practice, the professionmust deal with the issue ofwho is competent to performthese procedures. The AOAwill continue to study thisissue along with other organ-izations to develop creden-tialing that is appropriate andright for our profession.

So who knows how allof this will turn out? As thefamous physicist Niels Bohronce said, “Prediction is verydifficult, especially of thefuture.” As your AOA presi-dent, I can assure you thatthe AOA will work hard toachieve the futures listedabove.

Regardless of how suc-cessful optometric organiza-tions are in achieving any ofthe 57 “preferred futures,”everyone who attended theSummits will agree that thereal success of Optometry2020 was the collectivepower in gathering all opto-metric organizations into oneroom and talking about whatwe want the optometric pro-fession to look like by theyear 2020.

Note: AOA members mayaccess the final report ofthe Optometry 2020Summits by following thelink on the AOA homepage at www.aoa.org.

Alfred A.Rosenbloom, O.D.,of Chicago’s

Lighthouse for the Blind, andSatya B. Verma, O.D., of thePennsylvania College ofOptometry, are representingthe AOA as part of a newNational Eye Institute (NEI)

NEI plans new older adult outreachAd Hoc Working Group onOlder Adults.

The work group wasorganized under the NEI’sNational Eye Health EducationProgram to develop new infor-mation and education pro-grams for older adults. Thegroup’s first meeting convened

Aug. 24 in Washington, DC.The nation’s population is

aging, and age-related eyeproblems are expected to be anincreasingly important nationalhealth issue in the comingyears, according to RosemaryJaniszewski, the NEI staff per-son for the work group.

Older adults already accountfor around 50 percent of thepatients in the typical generalmedical practice and probablya similar percentage of thepatients in a typical eye carepractice, according to the text-book, “Rosenbloom andMorgan’s Vision and Aging.”

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:33 PM Page 9

10 AOA NEWS

ODs asked to join in World Sight Day Oct. 11

Optometry GivingSight is asking alloptometrists to join

the World Sight DayChallenge and help support“Our Vision for Children” bygiving sight to the estimated13 million children who areblind or vision impaired sim-ply because they do not have a

pair of glasses. World SightDay is Oct. 11.

The organization, whichis the only global initiative thatspecifically targets the preven-tion of blindness and impairedvision due to refractive error,

hopes that staff, patients andstudents will also support thecampaign by signing up for asingle or regular monthlydonation of as little as $5.

Optometrists, practicestaff and optometric students

can participate in the WorldSight Day Challenge in a num-ber of ways:1. Optometrists can sign upfor regular donations of $25,$50 or $100 per month.2. Practices can donate all

exam fees on World Sight Dayto Optometry Giving Sight.3. Optometrists can ask allpatients to add $5 to theirinvoices throughout October.4. Staff and students cansign up for a regular donationof $5 per month.

According to ProfessorBrien Holden, CEO ofOptometry Giving Sight, itcosts just $5 to provide an eyeexam, a pair of glasses andresidual training for staff incountries that lack eye careservices.

This simple interventioncan save someone from a lifewithout sight—enabling chil-dren to learn, adults to workand the elderly to preservetheir dignity and independ-ence.

To register, visit theOptometry Giving Sight Website, www.givingsight.org, orcall (888) OGS-GIVE. Onceregistered, all practices willreceive a World Sight DayChallenge Practice Kit. Thiskit includes materials to helppromote the challenge in prac-tices and communities.

World Sight Day is aninitiative of VISION 2020:The Right to Sight and is sup-ported by the World HealthOrganization, the InternationalAgency for the Prevention ofBlindness, and more than 80non-government organizationswho share the goal of elimi-nating avoidable blindness bythe year 2020. The theme for2007 is VISION for Children.

Optometry Giving Sightis a joint initiative of theWorld Optometry Foundation,the International Centre forEyecare Education and theInternational Agency for thePrevention of Blindness.National industry sponsorsinclude CIBA Vision, theInstitute for Eye Research,Marchon, Vision Source, andSignet Armorlite.

Optometry Giving Sight,a tax-exempt organization,guarantees that a minimum of85 cents of every dollardonated by optometrists andtheir patients is directed topeople in need.

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:35 PM Page 10

September 3, 2007 11

Puerto Rico optometrists’ group charged with price-fixing conspiracy

An organization repre-senting optometristsin Puerto Rico, along

with two of its leaders, hasagreed to settle Federal TradeCommission (FTC) charges oforganized price fixing.

The consent orderannounced July 30 settles FTCcharges against Colegio deOptometras de Puerto Rico(the Colegio or Puerto RicoCollege ofOptometrists) and twoof its leaders, EdgarDávila Garcia, O.D.(Dr. Dávila), andCarlos Rivera Alonso,O.D. (Dr. Rivera).

Federal officialssay the Colegio violat-ed the FTC act byorchestrating and carry-ing out agreements among thegroup’s members to refuse (orthreaten to refuse) to deal withpayers who would not agree toraise the reimbursementsoffered to optometrists.

The consent order bars thegroup’s doctors from jointlynegotiating prices or terms ofservice in the future. However,the agreement specificallyallows them to participate inlegal joint arrangements, theFTC notes.

Although Puerto Rico is aU.S. territory and subject tofederal law, the Puerto RicoCollege of Optometrists is notan affiliate of the AmericanOptometric Association.

The FTC action in PuertoRico provides a reminder thatfederal law bars health careproviders from any activitiesthat could be interpreted underthe law as constituting restraintof trade, according to the AOAOffice of Counsel.

That includes organizedboycotts of any type or orches-trated attempts to set prices.

Headquartered in SanJuan, the Colegio is a not-for-profit association with approxi-mately 500 memberoptometrists, constituting all ofthe optometrists licensed topractice in Puerto Rico.

Dr. Dávila was the treas-urer of the Colegio from 2002to 2004 and also served as the

optometrists). Under these newcontracts, Ivision offered topay optometrists the same feesoffered under its contracts withother health plans.

As a result of these newcontracts, the optometristswould lose much or all of theirlucrative direct business withthese plans, the FTC acknowl-edges.

Many optometrists, all of

whom were members of theColegio, called Ivision to com-plain about the new reimburse-ment structure, threatening thatif Ivision did not pay more,they would stop treatingpatients covered by Ivision,according to the FTC.

As part of a collectiveeffort to get Ivision to raise itsrates, Colegio representativescontacted other optometristsand urged them to stop partici-pating in Ivision’s network, theFTC adds.

Later that summer, duringa meeting between Ivision andits eye care providers,optometrists – led by Dr.Rivera – indicated that ifIvision did not raise its reim-bursement rates, the Colegiowould ensure that all of itsoptometrists would leave theplan. That would leave Ivisionwith no providers left in PuertoRico, the FTC notes.

The day after the meet-ing, according to the FTC, Dr.Dávila circulated a letter onColegio letterhead to thegroup’s members concerningIvision’s new health plan con-tracts, urging the members notto participate in Ivision’s net-work and informing them thatthe Colegio was going todevelop a strategy to battleIvision.

The Colegio’s effortseventually succeeded, the FTC

president of the Colegio’sHealth Plans Commissionfrom 2001 to 2004.

Dr. Rivera, from October2004 to September 2006, wasthe Colegio’s president-elect atthe time the alleged antitrustviolations took place in 2004.

According to the FTCcomplaint, the Colegio alongwith Dr. Dávila and Dr. Riveraviolated federal antitrust law

by facilitating, negotiating,entering into, and implement-ing expressed or implied agree-ments among the Colegio’smembers to refuse, or threatento refuse, to accept vision andhealth care contracts except oncollectively agreed-on terms.

Specifically, the FTCalleges the Colegio targetedIvision International Inc., amanaged care subcontractorthat has offered vision careservices and products in PuertoRico since 1997.

Ivision contracts withPuerto Rico health plans toadminister vision plans andprovide vision care productsand services to coveredpatients.

As under most managedsubcontract arrangements, thehealth plans pay Ivision a capi-tated per-beneficiary fee.Ivision then contracts with theisland’s optometrists to provideservices. By August 2004,Ivision had almost 130optometrists – located all overPuerto Rico – in its network,making it very attractive tohealth plans and to patientscovered by those plans, accord-ing to the FTC.

In June and July 2004,Ivision sent announcements tooptometrists about its contractswith several new health plans(many of which previously hadcontracted directly with

acknowledges. By mid-October 2004, almost 40Colegio members had left theIvision network and refused toprovide their services to planbeneficiaries.

In November 2004, in aneffort to retain the remainingoptometrists in its network,Ivision significantly increasedits reimbursement rates.

Dr. Dávila and Dr. Rivera

also orchestrated collectivenegotiations with other plans,according to the FTC, on sev-eral occasions attempting tonegotiate higher reimburse-ment levels for Colegio mem-bers.

“These, as well as theactivities related to Ivision,harmed competition in viola-tion of the FTC Act,” accord-ing to a commission statement.

Under the consent order,the Colegio, Dr. Dávila and Dr.Rivera are prohibited fromentering into or facilitatingagreements for the provision ofoptometry services: 1) onbehalf of any optometrist withany payor; 2) refusing to dealor threatening to refuse to dealwith any payor; 3) designatingthe terms upon which anyoptometrist deals, or is willingto deal, with any payor, includ-ing price terms; 4) refusing todeal individually with anypayor, or refusing to deal withany payor through any arrange-ment other than one involvingthe Colegio.

The consent order permitsthe Colegio to undertake cer-tain kinds of joint contractingarrangements – “qualified risk-sharing joint arrangements”and “qualified clinically inte-grated joint arrangements” –that are defined in the order.

Under those arrange-ments, health care providers

engage in joint activities tocontrol costs and improvequality by managing the provi-sion of services.

“Any agreement concern-ing reimbursement or otherterms must be reasonably nec-essary to obtain significant effi-ciencies through the jointarrangement,” the FTC notes.

Other specific provisionsprohibit the Colegio and the

two doctors fromexchanginginformationamongoptometristsconcerning theirwillingness todeal with apayor, or theterms – includ-ing price terms –

on which they are willing todeal.

In addition, the order barsthem from encouraging anyoneinto engaging in any action thatit prohibits. It also requiresthem – for three years from thedate the order becomes final –to notify the FTC in writingbefore conducting any jointnegotiating activities that couldbe considered anticompetitiveunder its terms.

The commission vote toplace the consent order on thepublic record for comment andpublish a copy in the FederalRegister was 5-0.

Under customary proce-dures, the FTC will acceptcomment on the consent orderfor 30 days (until August 28),after which commissioners willvote on whether to make theorder final.

A consent agreement isfor settlement purposes onlyand does not constitute anadmission of a law violation.

However, when finalizedby the FTC, consent decreescarry the force of law withrespect to future actions. Eachviolation of such an order mayresult in a civil penalty of$11,000.

If finalized, the consentorder will be distributed to allColegio members, as well as topayers. It will expire in 20years.

The FTC action provides a reminder that federal law barshealth care providers from any activities that could be

interpreted under the law as constituting restraint of trade,according to the AOA Office of Counsel.

That includes organized boycotts of any type or orchestrated attempts to set prices.

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:35 PM Page 11

12 AOA NEWS

Second-year Universityof Missouri at St.Louis (UMSL) College

of Optometry student RoyGordon hopes to emphasizemedical eye care and coman-agement when he enters prac-tice.

As a result, he stronglybelieves that the AOA andnew optometrists must doeverything possible to encour-age high standards of patientcare, strengthen the image ofhis profession and continuedeveloping optometry asAmerica’s primary eye careprovider.

Having just completed a13-week summer internshipat the AOA headquarters inSt. Louis, Gordon believesthe AOA is doing a good dealmore than many optometrystudents realize.

Moreover, he believesthat today’s optometry stu-dents will emerge as a forceto ensure optometry remains astrong and vibrant health careprofession well into thefuture.

A Columbus, OH-native,Gordon decided to pursue acareer in optometry afterworking in the office ofDayton, OH, practitioner JohnP. Downer, O.D., while pursu-ing his undergraduate degreein biology at the University ofDayton.

Because Dr. Downer’soffice is affiliated with anophthalmology practice,Gordon had the opportunityto work with both ODs andMDs and see firsthand all ofthe ways optometrists cancare for patients in both typesof practice settings.

Based on that experience,Gordon plans to pursueopportunities in ophthalmolo-gy practices after he gradu-ates from the UMSL Collegeof Optometry. Eventually, heplans to develop a privateoptometric practice of hisown.

Nearing the end of hisfirst year at UMSL, Gordon

New in PracticeSeries largest yet

This year’s New in Practice Series at Optometry’sMeeting™ in Boston was a hit, drawing the highest atten-dance numbers to date for the program.

The series is designed to provide real-world informa-tion and ideas for those starting their careers or changingpractice settings.

There were four courses in this year’s series including:billing and coding, setting up an optical, financial man-agement, and new technologies in optometric care.

Each was presented by co-lecturers Keith Davis,O.D., chair of the Optometry’s Meeting™ NewPractitioner Practice Management Project Team, andLaurie Sorrenson, O.D.

“I believe the 2007 program was even better thanthe previous year,” said Dr. Davis. “The attendance hasgrown every year. The numbers demonstrate that. Moreand more practitioners are asking for these very topics toallow them to provide excellent medical eye care as wellas make a good living. They are not mutually exclusive.”

All four sessions from the 2007 series are also avail-able for purchase on a DVD-ROM.

The 2007 New in Practice Series was sponsored bya generous grant from CIBA Vision, a Novartis Company.

The billing and coding course drew 80 attendeeswho walked away with a better understanding of differenttypes of eye examinations, special diagnostic testing, andhow to code each procedure appropriately for billing pur-poses. Also discussed were “in-office” surgical proce-dures that modern optometrists perform and how to applyfor reimbursement.

The “setting up an optical” course helped 58 ODs todecide whether to have an “in-house” lab or use an out-side optical lab.

It also provided insight into many of the new optionsin automated lab equipment and covered how to maxi-mize frame, lens and contact lens purchasing dollars.

The financial management course had 80 attendeeslearning about cash flow, gross versus net profits, tax con-siderations for the sole proprietor or S-corporation, andretirement planning.

The new technologies in optometric care course wasdesigned to help the new practitioner decide on whatnew equipment to purchase. It drew 50 attendees.

The speakers discussed the costs of each piece ofnew technology, the return on investment, including med-ical reimbursement rates, how to code and bill for thenew procedures, and when the new practitioner shouldconsider purchasing new equipment.

The attendee reviews were extremely positive.“As a student, I felt this lecture was helpful in orienting

me in the right direction, and I feel like I will be ahead ofthe game when I graduate,” wrote one attendee.

“Great information from people with experience,”wrote another.

Tomorrow’s ODs will rise to challenges, AOA intern says

applied for the AOA summerinternship program in aneffort to learn more about hisfuture profession and the rolethe association plays in it.Acknowledging that he hadnot been heavily involvedwith the AOA prior to theinternship, he was surprisedby much that he found.

“I was really impressedwith Optometry’sMeeting™,” Gordon quicklyvolunteers. “This is some-thing every optometry stu-dent should do at least onceduring the course of theirfour years in optometryschool. (It provides) thechance to network with otherstudents and optometrists.”

“I think it is great thatthe AOA is doing so much tokeep the profession beforethe public,” Gordon said, not-ing the considerable mediacoverage surrounding optom-etry.

Back at the AOA offices,Gordon spent a considerabletime with AOA AdvocacyGroup and AOA StateGovernment Relations Centerstaff learning about themonths of preparation andlobbying necessary to passfederal or state legislation.

“It is much more than Iexpected,” Gordon said.Gordon acknowledges con-cern that today’s optometrystudents may not reallyunderstand that years of leg-islative efforts were neces-sary to establish optometry asa recognized health care pro-fession and decades morewere necessary to winoptometrists the authority topractice eye care in additionto vision care.

However, Gordon main-tains organized optometrywill continue to be an effec-tive force in health care legis-lation when changes in thehealth system or technologyprompt changes in the lawsimpacting optometry.

“My generation,Generation X, gets a bad

rap,” Gordon said “I don’tagree. Just like it was in thepast, there will be a group ofoptometrists within my gener-ation that will come forwardto take the profession to thenext level.”

For his part, during hisinternship, Gordon has helpedupdate the AOA’s Guide toOptometric Loans, Grants andScholarships on the AOAWeb site (www.aoa.org). Theresource is used by manyoptometry students to securefinancial aid.

He also contributed arti-cles on the AOA PracticeAssistance MentoringProgram and other subjects tothe AOA’s New Practitionere-newsletter.

Gordon urges newoptometrists and his fellowstudents to constantly be care-ful to maintain the image andstandard of their profession asthey enter practice.

“The AOA works veryhard, through federal legisla-tion and state legislation, tosee that we have the authorityto care for patients. All healthcare practitioners — medicaldoctors, dentists – work hardto maintain high standards andpresent a professional image.We must constantly guard theimage of our profession andmeet the highest standards ofcare. Ultimately, this will beimportant to new optometristsas they develop their prac-tices.”

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sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:35 PM Page 12

September 3, 2007 13

Members of the Joint Board Certification Project Teammet Aug. 3-4 in Chicago to discuss potential avenues foroptometrists to demonstrate advanced clinical compe-tence.

From top left, project team members are Chair andAOA Vice President Randolph E. Brooks, O.D.; William B.Rafferty, O.D. (ARBO); AOA Trustee David A. Cockrell,O.D.; Christina M. Sorenson, O.D. (ARBO); ArolAugsburger, O.D. (ASCO); Donovan L. Crouch, O.D.(NBEO); Thomas L. Lewis, O.D., Ph.D. (AAO); Jack E.Terry, O.D., Ph.D. (NBEO); Christopher S. Wolfe (AOSA);Mary E. Phillips (AOSA); Mary Jo Stiegemeier, O.D.(AAO); and Larry J. Davis, O.D. (ASCO).

The AOA staffperson for the project team is Jeffrey L.Weaver, O.D. Dr. Brooks delivered the initial report tothe AOA House of Delegates at Optometry’s Meeting™.

Joint Board Certification team begins work

Pacific U student winsCummings Scholarship

R. Scott Sellers from the Pacific University College ofOptometry has been selected as the winner of the 2007Patrick Everet Cummings Scholarship. Sellers will receive

a grant for $3,000.Sellers’ winning essay was selected

from a group of 11 eligible finalistswhose essays had been submitted to theAOA Foundation Endowment Fund as thebest from their respective schools and col-leges. Students were asked to write anessay on “How would you engage your

community in the Healthy Eyes Healthy People™Initiative?”

The other finalists were: Jody Eileen Simmons,University of Birmingham at Alabama School ofOptometry; Jessica Nicole Trigg Mai, University ofMissouri-St. Louis College of Optometry; Brian J.Zwanziger, Northeastern State University; Cheryl L. Bayer,University of Waterloo School of Optometry; Benjamin A.Uhl, University of Houston College of Optometry; ElizabethGarland, The New England College of Optometry;Jennifer Sommer, Illinois College of Optometry; Shane A.Foster, The Ohio State University College of Optometry;Fouad Melamed, Southern California College ofOptometry; Debora M. Lee, University of California atBerkeley School of Optometry.

The Patrick Everet Cummings (PEC) MemorialScholarship Fund was established in memory of Patrick,son of J. Pat Cummings, O.D., long-time AOA memberand past AOA president. The $3,000 grants have beenawarded at Optometry’s Meeting™ for four successiveyears, with 2007 as the final year for the Patrick EveretCummings (PEC) Memorial Scholarship Grant. The granthas been administered by the AOA Foundation.

Sellers is a fourth-year student at Pacific University. Heis working as an intern at the Walla Walla VeteransAdministration Medical Center. Sellers attended ArizonaState University, then served a mission in Venezuela for twoyears. He returned and began a successful career inbanking and real estate, but after three years decided topursue his dream of becoming an optometrist.

Benjamin Winters fromthe Southern Collegeof Optometry has

been selected as the winner ofthe 2007 Dr. Seymour GalinaGrant. Winters will receivean grant for $2,500.

His winning essay wasselected from a group of eighteligible finalists whose essayshad been submitted to theAOA Foundation EndowmentFund as the best from theirrespective schools and col-leges. Students were asked towrite an essay on “Qualities Ihave developed through myfinancial planning/work expe-rience during and/or beforeoptometry school that Ibelieve will be most useful tome in a professional optomet-ric practice.”

The other finalists wereCharles Boulet, Pacific

University College ofOptometry; Jennifer Sommer,Illinois College of Optometry;Jarren Ray, Northeastern StateUniversity; Shanine Brochu,University of Waterloo Schoolof Optometry; NadineShelton, Indiana School ofOptometry; Ashley ZakKimble, Nova SoutheasternSchool of Optometry; GloriaChiu, University of Californiaat Berkeley School ofOptometry.

The grant was estab-lished through a bequest fromthe late Seymour Galina,O.D., a long-time AOA mem-ber. Dividends and interestincome, generated each yearfrom his gift account, providefunds for a grant to be award-ed to one incoming fourth-year student of optometry.He and his family continue to

be remembered for a gener-ous love ofhis profes-sionthroughthe grant.

Wintersis a studentatSouthernCollege ofOptometryin hisfourth year. He received hisundergraduate degree in busi-ness management fromBrigham Young Universityand is from Spokane, WA.Winters plans on returning toWashington to start his ownpractice specializing in visiontherapy.

The Galina Grants areadministered by the AOAFoundation.

SCO student earns Galina Grant

Associate Director, Public Health, Clinical Care Group

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:36 PM Page 13

14 AOA NEWS

Brenda Heinke Monte-calvo, O.D., left, memberof the Neuro-OptometryProject team and one ofmany member volunteersat the AOA Aviation VisionBooth, explains aspects ofaviation vision at theAirVenture annual airshow in Oshkosh, WI, inJuly.

The AOA Aviation VisionCommittee also presented asix-hour AOA AviationVision Course to 32 atten-dees at Optometry’sMeeting™.

The AOA AviationVision program to improveair safety is sponsoredthrough a generous grantfrom Essilor of America.

Eyes Right for Flight

on Business Efficiency of thePublic Schools issued areport entitled, “IndividualSupportive Education ReformAgenda for New JerseyReading.”

The commission foundthat if students were providedwith appropriate early inter-vention reading assistanceand follow-up, includingearly intervention for thosechildren with undiagnosed oruntreated vision problems,the state would eventuallysave $200 million per yearin special education aidcosts and the rescued lives ofthousands of children eachyear.

The legislation was intro-duced on the basis of thisreport.

Following the pilot proj-ect, a study will be devel-oped to show the results ofthese exams.

“We are hopeful that thepilot project and subsequentstudy will help bring to thepublic’s and legislature’sattention the importance ofcomprehensive eye examsfor children,” saidMarkowitz.

New Jerseyfrom page 1

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:39 PM Page 14

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sept 3.qxp 8/24/2007 11:38 AM Page 15

16 AOA NEWS

Advanced MedicalOptics

Alcon

Allergan

Bausch & Lomb

CIBA Vision Corporation

CooperVision

Essilor of America

HOYA Vision Care

Liberty Sport

Luxottica Group

Marchon Eyewear

Optos

Signet Armorlite

TLC Vision Corporation

Transitions Optical

Vision Service Plan

VisionWeb

Vistakon, division ofJohnson & JohnsonVision Care

Industry Profile is a regular feature

in AOA News allowing

participants of the Ophthalmic Council

to express themselves on issues

and products they consider

important to the members of

the AOA.

Industry Profile: Signet Armorlite

Transitions Optical, Inc.announced its spon-sorship of the

Optometry ScholarshipProgram to support andinspire the next generation ofoptometrists by rewarding 10outstanding students for theirvision to promote healthysight to patients.

The program is support-ed by the Transitions®Healthy Sight for Life Fundand will encourage optometrystudents to create projectsexploring “Healthy SightCounseling.”

Scholarships of $500each will be awarded to stu-dents who demonstrate a clearunderstanding of the integra-tion of vision care, visionwear, and education intoeveryday practice.

“The optometrist plays avery important role in provid-ing for the healthy sight ofevery patient – from the ini-tial exam to ensuring eachpatient knows the propersteps to protect and preservehealthy sight well into thefuture,” said Carole Bratteig,manager, education and train-ing, Transitions. “A solidfoundation for a lifetime ofpromoting healthy sightbegins in the classroom.Transitions is honored tosponsor these scholarships toassist the best and brightestfuture healthy sight coun-selors as they prepare for their

careers in the field of optome-try.”

All students currentlyenrolled in an accreditedoptometry program in theU.S. or Canada are eligible toapply for the program.

Interested students arerequired to complete a projectbased on this year’s theme:Healthy Sight Counseling.

Healthy SightCounseling is a patient-cen-tered, integrated approach toeye care that encourages cus-tomized vision correction,maintenance and preventiveeye care, and increased pro-fessional and patient aware-ness through education.

Students applying for theprogram are free to submitprojects of any length in anyformat: research paper, pres-entation, video, poster, com-munity outreach, etc.

Project submissions willbe judged by a committee ofeye care and optometryexperts on the basis of howwell they explore or expandupon the Healthy SightCounseling theme.

Projects should be sub-mitted to education@transitions.com or via mail toOptometry Scholarship c/oEuro RSCG Magnet, 110Fifth Ave, NYC 10022, byOct. 11 (World Sight Day).Scholarships will beannounced by December2007.

Transitions sponsorsscholarship program

Amy Sacks Eyewear and Accessories recentlyannounced that portions of proceeds from itsfashionable reading glasses, reading sunglass-es, sunglasses, optical frames and accessorieswill be donated to its non-profit Pixie Project,which is dedicated to animal adoption andspay and neuter services for pets in low-incomefamilies. Shown is style Cindy in blush. Visitwww.amysacks.com for more information.

AAtt SSiiggnneett AArrmmoorrlliittee,, iitt’’ss ssttiillll oouurr mmiissssiioonn:: ssuuppppoorrttpprriivvaattee pprraaccttiiccee ooppttoommeettrryyBy Edward P. DeRosa, Signet Armorlite Vice President,Marketing

The steady growth of our company in recent yearscoincided with our commitment to private practice optom-etry. Focusing our resources on the needs of optometrywas good strategy five years ago, and it’s still goodtoday. You’re stronger; we’re stronger.

We believe that the whole optical industry needsstrong, independent optometry. Because significant chal-lenges to optometry still remain, we believe our support ofstate and national optometry is more important than ever.OOuurr pprroodduuccttss ffiitt nniicceellyy wwiitthh pprriivvaattee pprraaccttiiccee ooppttoommeettrryy..

You’re at the center of our dedication to eye carebecause you provide comprehensive eye care. That’swhere we come in. By developing innovative products tosuit your special needs, we benefit, too.

One such product is the new Kodak UniqueProgressive, a back-surface design that’s customized to fitthe patient’s frame selection. It’s already a huge success,and growing faster all the time.RR&&DD iiss aann iimmppoorrttaanntt ffooccuuss aass wweellll..

We’ve just introduced Kodak Precise Short™, theshort corridor progressive that brings excellent optical pre-cision to small frames.

Vision First Design™ is the name of the technologyrevolution behind our new progressive lenses–– KodakUnique and Kodak Precise Short Lenses, and beforethose, Kodak Precise® Lens. Each product providessmooth gradation of power, gentle binocular balance andguaranteed visual performance.

Kodak CleAR™ Anti-Reflective Coating was devel-oped to improve visual acuity while fighting off oilysmudges and dirt. It’s also extremely durable to stand upto wear and tear.

We continue to research new lens designs, materialsand coatings to meet the needs of the optical industry.WWee rreemmaaiinn ccoommmmiitttteedd ttoo ooppttoommeettrryy..

We remain the single largest contributor, on a per-centage basis, to optometry. Unlike companies thatdevote their resources to consumer advertising, SignetArmorlite devotes energy and funding where theybelong—in doctors’ offices.

We’ve been platinum-level AOA sponsors. We’vesponsored the Optometry’s Meeting™ PresidentialCelebration the last five years. We’re a participant of theAOA Ophthalmic Council. We sponsored the HealthyEyes Healthy People™ program and the AOA video“What’s In It For Me.”WWee’’rree hheellppiinngg pprraaccttiicceess ggrrooww tthhrroouugghh PPrraaccttiicceePPlluuss..

Since 1998, we have provided more than $22 mil-lion to over 4,000 PracticePlus® members. As a member,you can use those funds any way you see fit to promote astrong practice.

There’s another reason to join PracticePlus. Our Non-Dues Revenue Funding Program allows participating stateoptometric associations to receive substantial financial sup-port when their members dispense and redeem KodakProgressives through PracticePlus.

We’re fortunate to have long-standing, rewardingrelationships within the optometric community. We remain,as ever, unwavering in our support of optometry.

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:41 PM Page 16

September 3, 2007 17

INDUSTRY NEWS

The Vision CareInstituteTM, LLC, aJohnson & Johnson

company, announced it willoffer the new state-of-the-artAchieveVision™ Program toOlympic athletes and hope-fuls.

The program will assessand help optimize athletes’visual skills in preparationfor the upcoming Beijing2008 Olympic Games.

Members of the men’sand women’s U.S. archeryand soccer teams will be thefirst to use theAchieveVision™ Program.

Research suggests astrong correlation betweenpeak performance and excel-lent visual skills, making ath-letes’ eyesight among themost important pieces ofequipment they have, accord-ing to the Vision CareInstitute.

A survey conductedwith the United StatesOlympic Committee (USOC)found that less than half ofcurrent Olympic athletes andhopefuls received an eyeexam within the last year, yet87 percent believe vision

plays an important role inbeing successful in theirsport.

“What many people donot know is that vision ismore than 20/20 – it includesvisual skills that can beimproved,” said Daniel Laby,M.D., assistant professor ofophthalmology at HarvardMedical School. “As evi-dence grows supporting theconnection between opti-mized vision and peak per-formance, especially for eliteathletes, training programsfor Olympic hopefuls arebeginning to place moreimportance on the role ofvision. The AchieveVisionProgram will help athletesimprove their vision by finetuning their visual skills, par-ticularly those most relevantto their sport.”

The first step in improv-ing vision is regular eyeexams, which are critical foreveryone – not only elite ath-letes.

The AchieveVisionProgram is a customizedvisual skills assessment andimprovement programdesigned to maximize each

individual’s vision for his orher specific sport andlifestyle.

The AchieveVisionProgram was developed withinput from a council ofexperts, includingoptometrists, ophthalmolo-gists, coaches, sports trainersand academics.

Not only does the pro-gram assess maximum visualacuity, but it also evaluatesand helps optimize dynamicvisual skills such as hand-eyecoordination, peripheralvision and reaction time.

“In archery, my target is70 meters away, and I needto use the target’s colors toguide my aim,” said VicWunderle, U.S. Olympicarcher and silver medalist.“If I am slightly off in myaim, it can mean losing incompetition, so clear visionand contrast sensitivity arekey in being successful inthis sport. I always thoughtmy vision was strong, buthad never gone through com-prehensive visual testing.The AchieveVision Programhelped identify areas of myvision that I could train and

optimize, which will benefitmy performance both on andoff the field.”

There are several testsused to determine an individ-ual’s visual skills.

The tests span fromcomputer-based systems toassessments that can cause a

person to work up a sweat. In addition to the

AchieveVision Program,the Vision Care Institutewill work with athletes andtheir eye doctors to pro-vide the vision correctionand contact lens fittingsthey may need.

Howard Purcell, O.D., senior director of NewProgram Development at Johnson & JohnsonVision Care, tests Olympic Silver Medalist VicWunderle's visual skills as part of theAchieveVisionTM Program at the Vision CareInstitute in Jacksonville, FL.

Vision Care Institute to offer program for Olympic athletes

WaveTouchTechnologiesannounced the

completion of certification ofthe Marco 3D Wave™Analyzer as an in-office aber-rometer that can provide thenecessary patient informationfor the production of fullyindividualized WaveTouch™soft contact lenses.

“We are delighted thatMarco 3D Wave Analyzerhas been programmed andcertified as providing thepatient information necessaryto manufacture these innova-tive contact lenses,” saidVincent S. Zuccaro, O.D.,chairman of WaveTouchTechnologies. “As such, U.S.practitioners owning a Marco

3D Wave will be among thefirst that will be able to dis-pense WaveTouch contactlenses when they are rolledout into the marketplace laterthis year.”

“As the leader in visiondiagnostics, Marco is alwayslooking for ways to expandthe applications of the 3DWave system,” said DavidMarco, president and CEO ofMarco Ophthalmic, Inc.

“Working withWaveTouch soft contact lens-es further increases the longlist of exciting options wave-front aberrometry can pro-vide your practice. The accu-racy of the Marco 3D Wavegives a great starting point,which is vital to getting a

good fit and optimum VA,”he said.

WaveTouch soft contactlenses are made from patientinformation gathered fromin-office aberrometry read-ings that measure both lowerand higher order aberrations.

Once the initial aber-rometry assessment is com-plete, the measurements areretaken over a speciallydesigned acquisition lens,which yields lens positioningand refractive data for thatpatient. The data is thentransferred to WaveTouchTechnologies, where thepatient’s individualized lens-es are manufactured and sentback to the practitioner with-in a few days.

In-office aberrometer allows ODs to dispense individualized CLs

Optos received the 2007 Queen’s Award forEnterprise under the category of international trade. The award was presented by Her Majesty QueenElizabeth II to Optos Chief Executive Officer Thomas W.Butts at Buckingham Palace on July 18.

“We know that the standards required to win thisaward are extremely high, and it exemplifies the excellentwork being carried out by our employees,” said Butts. “Italso reflects the confidence our customers around the worldhave in our technology for helping them deliver a higherstandard of health care.”

The Award is made each year by Her Majesty QueenElizabeth on the advice of the British prime minister.

Optos receives Queen’sAward for Enterprise

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:42 PM Page 17

18 AOA NEWS

SeptemberTHE ART & SCIENCE OFOPTOMETRIC CARE—ABEHAVIORAL PERSPECTIVE, 2007Sept. 6-10Grand Rapids, Michigan. Presentedby OEP CLINICAL CURRICULUM.Contact: Theresa Krejci, 800/447-0370 or visit www.babousa.org

OPTOMETRIC EXTENSIONPROGRAMFOUNDATION 38TH ANNUALCOLORADO VISION TRAININGCONFERENCESept. 7-9, 2007YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park,ColoradoGeorge Hertneky, O.D.970/842-5166hertnekyg@mac.com.

FALL CONFERENCEVERMONT OPTOMETRICASSOCIATIONSept. 7-9, 2007Stoweflake Resort and ConferenceCenter, Stowe, VermontLisa Martin Eriksson, O.D.802/434-4866Eriksson@gmavt.net

SOUTHERN COLLEGE OFOPTOMETRYSCO ALUMNI HOMECOMINGAND CONTINUING EDUCATIONWEEKENDSept. 13-16, 2007Memphis, TennesseeKristin Anderson, O.D.901/722-3356 or901/722-3234ce@sco.eduwww.sco.edu

MAINE OPTOMETRICASSOCIATIONSEPTEMBER “FALL” CONFERENCESept. 14-16, 2007, The SamosetResort, Rockport, MEJoann Gagne207/626-9920Moa.office@maineeyedoctors.comwww.maineeyedoctors.com

PSS 2007: FORUM ONOPTOMETRYSept. 14-16, 2007Mystic Marriott, Groton, Connecticut203/415-3087education@psseyecare.comwww.psseyecare.com

PENNSYLVANIA OPTOMETRICASSOCIATIONCOMPREHENSIVE GLAUCOMAUPDATE & CLINICAL CARE ANDCODINGSeptember 15, 2007Blair County Convention Center,Altoona, PennsylvaniaIlene Sauertieg717/233-6455Ilene@poaeyes.orgwww.poaeyes.org

MINNESOTA OPTOMETRICASSOCIATION FALL MEETINGSept. 21-22, 2007St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud, Jessica E. Miller

952/841-1122Jessica@mneyedocs.orgwww.minnesotaoptometrists.org

NEW MEXICO OPTOMETRICASSOCIATIONNEW MEXICO OPTOMETRICASSOCIATION MID-YEARCONVENTIONSeptember 21-22, 2007Albuquerque, NMRichard Montoya505/751-7242FAX: 505/751-7243fleece@laplaza.org

ILLINOIS OPTOMETRICASSOCIATIONANNUAL CONVENTIONSept. 27-30, 2007Itasca, IL Charlene Marsh800/933-7289 or 217/525-8012ioabb@ioaweb.orgwww.ioaweb.org

NSU COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRYAND THE FLORIDA OPTOMETRICASSOCIATION2007 LEAGUES UNDER THE CESept. 27-30, 2007Atlantis Hotel and Casino, ParadiseIsland, Nassau, BahamasLorena Lizausaba954/262-4224oceaa@nsu.nova.eduhttp://optometry.nova.edu/ce/leagues/index.html

KOA FALL CONFERENCEKENTUCKY OPTOMETRICASSOCIATIONSept. 28-30, 2007Radisson Hotel, Covington, Kentuckysarah@kyeyes.org

VIRGINIA OPTOMETRICASSOCIATION2007 FALL CONFERENCESept. 29-30, 2007Ritz-Carlson Hotel, Tysons Corner, VABruce B. Keeney, Sr.804/643-0309voaeyedocs@aol.comwww.voaeyedocs.org

AEA CRUISE SEMINAR –Canada/New EnglandSept. 29-Oct. 6, 2007888/638-6009aeacruises.aol.comoptometriccruiseseminars.com

NEW ENGLAND PROFESSIONALCONFERENCESNATIONAL CORNEA ANDANTERIOR SEGMENT SOCIETYREGIONAL MEETINGSept. 30, 2007Holiday Inn-Plainview Long Island,Plainview, NYJanet Swartz978/470-3500 or 877-825-2020FAX: 978/470-4520nepc@comcast.netwww.neconferences.com

AEA CRUISE SEMINAR –MEDITERRANEAN COLLECTIONSept. 29-Oct. 11, 2007Royal Princess888/638-6009aeacruises.aol.comoptometriccruiseseminars.com

OctoberIOA FALL SEMINARINDIANA OPTOMETRICASSOCIATIONOct. 3-4, 2007Whittenberger Auditorium,Bloomington, Indianawww.ioa.org

OPTOMETRIC EXTENSIONPROGRAMVT/LEARNING RELATED VISUALPROBLEMS (OEP CLINICALCURRICULUM)October 3-7, 2007Phoenix, ArizonaTheresa Krejci800 447 0370www.babousa.org

VISION EXPO WESTOct. 4-6, 2007Las Vegas, NVwww.visionexpowest.com

EAST/WEST EYE CONFERENCEOct. 4-7, 2007Cleveland, OHwww.eastwesteye.org

MISSOURI OPTOMETRICASSOCIATIONANNUAL CONVENTIONOct. 4-7, 2007Ritz-Carlson, St. Louis, MissouriJoyce Baker573/635-6151www.moeyecare.org

CHILDREN’S VISION ANDLEARNING CONFERENCEWichita Airport Hilton, Wichita, KS Oct. 5, 2007

KANSAS OPTOMETRICASSOCIATIONFALL EYECARE CONFERENCEOct. 5-7, 2007Airport Hilton, Wichita, KSinfo@kansasoptometric.orgwww.kansasoptometric.org

FALL OPTOMETRIC EDUCATIONCONFERENCEGEORGIA OPTOMETRICASSOCIATIONOct. 6-8, 2007University of Georgia, Athens,Georgia800/949-0060www.goaeyes.com

NEW ENGLAND PROFESSIONALCONFERENCESNATIONAL GLAUCOMA SOCIETYREGIONAL MEETINGOct. 7, 2007Desmond Hotel and ConferenceCenter, Malvern, PennsylvaniaJanet Swartz978/470-3500 or 877/825-2020nepc@comcast.netwww.neconferences.com

39TH ANNUAL CONTACT LENS &PRIMARY CARE SYMPOSIUMMichigan Optometric AssociationLansing Center, Lansing, MichiganOct. 10-11, 2007www.themoa.org

NORTH DAKOTA OPTOMETRICASSOCIATIONANNUAL CONGRESSOctober 11-13, 2007Ramada Plaza Suites, Fargo, NorthDakotaNancy Kopp701/258-6766FAX: 701/258-9005ndoa@btinet.netwww.ndeyecare.info

GREAT WESTERN COUNCIL OFOPTOMETRY GWCO Congress 2007Oct. 11-14, 2007Oregon Convention Center andDoubleTree Lloyd Center, Portland,OregonMartin L. Wangen, CAE406/443-1160FAX: 406/443-4614mwangen@rmsmanagement.comwww.gwco.org

HUDSON VALLEY OPTOMETRICSOCIETY FALL SEMINARHUDSON VALLEY OPTOMETRICSOCIETYOct. 12, 2007Hotel Thayer at West Point, NYDr. Daniel Lack845/336-6124dlack@hvc.rr.com

OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATION OFOPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANSPIONEERS IN OPTOMETRYREGIONAL CONFERENCEOct. 13-15, 2006Renaissance Hotel, Tulsa, OKwww.pioneersinoptometry.com

NEBRASKA OPTOMETRICASSOCIATION FALLCONVENTIONOct. 19-21, 2007Holiday Inn, Kearney, NEKathi Schildt402/474-7716noa@assocoffice.net

NEW ENGLAND PROFESSIONALCONFERENCESNATIONAL CORNEA ANDANTERIOR SEGMENT SOCIETYREGIONAL MEETINGOct. 14, 2007Holiday Inn, Marlborough,MassachusettsJanet Swartz978/470-3500 or 877/825-2020nepc@comcast.netwww.neconferences.com

COVD 37TH ANNUAL MEETINGwww.covd.org.Renaissance Vinoy Resort and GolfClub, St. Petersburg, FLOct. 16 - Oct. 20, 2007 Jackie Cencer

888/268-3770330/995-0718 jcencer@covd.org

NOVA SOUTHEASTERNUNIVERSITY COLLEGE OFOPTOMETRYINTERDISCIPLINARYMANAGEMENT OF THE DIABETESPATIENTOct. 20-21, 2007Ft. Lauderdale, FloridaLorena Lizausaba954/262-4224oceaa@nsu.nova.eduhttp://optometry.nova.edu/ce/dia-betes/index.html

AMERICAN ACADEMY OFOPTOMETRYOct. 24-27, 2007Tampa, FLwww.aaopt.org

OPTOMETRY ASSOCIATION OFLOUISIANAFALL GUMBO CEOct. 27, 2007Holiday Inn Convention Center,Alexandria, LouisianaDr. Jim Sandefur318/335-0675FAX: 318/335-0677optla@bellsouth.netwww.optla.org

NovemberARKANSAS OPTOMETRICASSOCIATION ARKANSAS FALLMEETING November 1-4, 2007 Rogers, ARVicki Farmer501/661.7675FAX: 501/72.0233aropt@swbell.netVicki@arkansasoptometric.org

NEW ENGLAND PROFESSIONALCONFERENCESNATIONAL GLAUCOMA SOCIETYREGIONAL MEETINGNov. 4, 2007Highlander Hotel, Manchester, NewHampshireJanet Swartz978/470-3500 or 877/825-2020FAX: 978/470-4520nepc@comcast.netwww.neconferences.com

BRAIN VISION AND LEARNINGCONFERENCEUM-St. Louis College of OptometryNov. 7 and Dec. 5, 2007314/516-5655www.umsl.edu/~conted/bvLC

To submit an item for the meetings calendar, send a note to eventcalendar@aoa.org

MEETINGS

sept 3.qxp 8/23/2007 3:42 PM Page 18

September 3, 2007 19

SHOWCASE

Position: Optometric Physician for medical and surgical referral practice

Location(s): Seattle and North Puget Sound area – Smokey Point, Mount Vernon, & Bellingham (Whatcom Eye Surgeons)

Education/Experience: Strong clinical and co-management skills required.

Northwest Eye Surgeons is a multi-specialty ophthalmology practice seeking a highly motivated optometric physician tojoin our team. Washington State optometry license is required.

Responsibilities include: provide excellent patient care, emphasis on treatment and management of patients with oculardisease and peri-surgical care (pre & post operative); coordination of consultation services between NWES/WES andreferring doctors; and initiation and direction of professional education/CE for the optometry and medical communities.

Northwest Eye Surgeons offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits package including 401K, andcontinuing education opportunities. Come join our team!

Please forward resume and cover letter to:Human Resources

Northwest Eye Surgeons10330 Meridian Ave N, Suite 370

Seattle, WA 98133Fax: 206-522-1479

Email: HR@nweyes.comVisit our website at www.nweyes.com

Showcase_Sept_3_07.qxp 8/21/07 4:50 PM Page 19

20 AOA NEWS

SHOWCASE

Association Executive Director

The Georgia Optometric Association (GOA) is seeking an experienced Executive Director. The Search Committee of theMorrow based Georgia Optometric Association is acceptingapplications for the position of Executive Director. This positionserves as chief executive of the association which includes management of the administrative office and staff as well as facilitating board directives and policies.

Candidate must have the ability to manage multiple prioritieswhich include but are not limited to financial management,membership relations and meetings, publications, legislativeand governmental affairs, association political action and management of the Association’s Foundation. Applicants musthave excellent written and communication skills, general knowledge of association law and be detail oriented.Experience with a not-for-profit organization and/or healthrelated organization is desirable. Excellent benefits.

Qualified applicants please forward your resume with salary history and three letters of reference plus cover letter to:

Bob McCullough, O.D., Chairperson Search Committee

1000 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 240Morrow, GA 30260

Applications accepted until October 31, 2007.

68 ODcredit hours offered;

24 credits attainable

28 Para/Opticiancredit hours offered;

24 credits attainable

CPO and CPOA

exams offered

State Association

Leadership Training

Breakfast seminars

returning

One-day registration

fees available

GreatiWesterniCounciliofiOptometry

GWCOCONGRESS2007

October 11–14, 2007

Portland, Oregon

Register on-line

www.gwco.org

e-mail questions

mwangen@rmsmanagement.com

phone 406.443.1160fax 406.443.4614

Great Western Council of Optometry36 S. Last Chance Gulch, Suite A, Helena, MT 59601

The optometry meeting that gives back

Value Enhancement ServicesAppraisalsPractice Sales & FinancingEmployment & Partnership Agreements

Are you buying or selling a practice?Whether buying or selling, let BlackwellConsulting help facilitate a smooth transaction.We are accredited business appraisers and solution oriented advisors.

Marilee Blackwell, MBA, AIBAmblackwell.com

Call us today at 800.588.9636 to learn what we can do for you.

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Showcase_Sept_3_07.qxp 8/21/07 4:50 PM Page 20

September 3, 2007 21

SHOWCASE

Residency position in Ocular Disease

We are now accepting applications for 2008-2009 academic year. The 13-month program

is fully accredited by the ACOE and affiliated with NOVA Southeastern University

College of Optometry.

Aran Eye Associates is a multi-subspecialty tertiary-care referral center with 5 locations

throughout Southeast Florida. We specialize in diagnosis and management of ocular

disease. Resident will work with specialists in the areas of cornea/cataract, glaucoma,

retina and oculoplastics. Other activities will include participation in local didactic

education and supervision of optometry externs.

For further information, please contact Dr. Emilio Balius at ebalius@araneye.com

www.araneyeassociates.com

Residency position in Ocular Disease

The Department of Ophthalmology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is seeking an Optometrist with exceptional clinical skills in the areas of pediatric optometry and binocular vision to join the practice. The Department of Ophthalmology has 31 members who cover all subspecialty areas of ophthalmology and optometry and is nationally recognized for the excellence of its primary and subspecialty staff.

Candidates must have postdoctoral training in pediatric optometry and binocular vision. Candidates must have academic interest in clinical and/or laboratory research and would participate fully in clinical practice, education, and research.

Mayo Clinic is a non-profi t, physician-led clinical practice integrated with education and research in a unifi ed multi-campus system. Mayo Clinic in Rochester is a 1,650-physician integrated group practice with 100,000 patient visits annually in the Department of Ophthalmology. To learn more about Mayo Clinic and Rochester, visit www.mayoclinic.org.

Salary will be determined by experience. There is an attractive benefi ts package. Applicants should submit a CV and letter of interest to:

Jonathan M. Holmes, M.D.Professor and Chair, Department of OphthalmologyMayo Clinic200 First Street SWRochester, MN 55905

Mayo Foundation is an affi rmative action and equal opportunity educator and employer. Post-offer/pre-employment drug screening is required.

Pediatric OptometristRochester, Minnesota

100% Financing For

Refinancing to Fixed RatesPartnership Buy-insDebt ConsolidationReal Estate

Practice Acquisition

Low Rates. Fast Approvals.

Practice Loans

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22 AOA NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS

Professional Opportunities

ALL STATES – PRACTICESFOR SALE and 100% FINANC-ING plus working capital.Largest database of Sellers/Buyers. Confidentiality main-tained. Buyers are prequalified.Seller receives free valuation,free internet advertising.Successful transition is guidedby 30 yrs. of professional experi-ence. Visit our website for cur-rent listings. Call ProMedFinancial, Inc. 888/277-6633.www.promed-financial.com

BUYING or SELLING? A NEWVISION IN PRACTICE SALES.Practice Concepts specializes inpractice sales for eyecare pro-fessionals. Led by Alissa Wald,O.D. and Scott Daniels, ournationwide team combines over75 yrs experience in finance,management and hands onpractice ownership. We’re inpractice to advance your prac-tice™. For more information andcurrent listings visit www.practiceconcepts.com or call877-778-2020.

CLEARWATER AREA, FLORIDA -Modern office/optical with 3exam lanes, diagnostic equip-ment, computerized and wellestablished. Gross 380K on 41/2 days per week. Asking250K. Come live near thebeach. Please reply to email atopticalls@yahoo.com.

Colorado - Practice for SaleExceptional private practiceopportunity available in affluentMetro Denver, Colorado. Recentlyrenovated with complete opticaland onsite-finishing lab. Locatedin a busy retail area. Asking 70K. Motivated seller. Contactcontact@coffeyowens.com or303-316-0331.

EAST CENTRAL CONNECTICUT-Great independent practiceopportunity. Appraised value$238,625.00. Contact PracticeBroker: Richard S. Kattouf, O.D.,D.O.S., #800-745-3937.

HAWAII - Optmetric practice forsale in Honolulu. Located near thebusy Ala Moana Shop-ping Center. Great opportunity.Call L. Miyamoto, O.D. at 808 949-7098

Indiana residency trained or expe-rienced consultative O.D. withleadership skills for high intensityoptometric/surgical team. Resumeto Jim Hunter, O.D., 317-738-5544.

MISSOURI – Eastern. Two prac-tices – Total Fair Market Value$300,000.00. CONTACT PRAC-TICE BROKER, DR. RICHARD S. KATTOUF, O.D., D.O.S. 800/745-3937.

MONTANA - Second generationpractice for sale. Situated on theLower Yellowstone River.Excellent schools, communitycollege, golf course, fishing, andhunting. Thriving solo practicewith satellite. Contact Dr KenZuroff, Box 1369, Glendive, MT59330. e-mail zuroffk@midrivers.com 406-377-6021

NE OHIO Private Practice forSale – Very established Metro area550K Gross. WESTCHESTERCounty NEW YORK – Dr. retiring1.3M Gross. FLORIDA Westcoast 450K Gross - Relocationnecessary. Practices availablethroughout the US. ContactSandra Kennedy at NationalPractice Brokers (800) 201-3585.

New Mexico: Excellent practicefor SALE in Carlsbad, NewMexico Gross = 620 k Contact:Dr. Reber Call (505) 392-8880

OPTOMETRISTS & CENTERDIRECTORS NEEDED LasikPlushas excellent opportunities forhighly motivated and committedprofessionals seeking to enhancetheir career! We’re currently look-ing for Optometrists and CenterDirectors in the following loca-tions: 1. Fresno, CA 2. Green Bay,WI 3. Nashville, TN 4. Savannah,GA 5. Traveling OD (call for details)6. Other locations Nationwide. Weoffer a competitive salary and benefits package. To become partof our exciting team please replyto: www.lasikplus.com Email:employment@lca.com PHONE:1-866-763-3030 FAX: 513-792-5626

Optometrist - ConnecticutHealthDrive has a great opportu-nity for a caring optometrist look-ing to work 4 or 5 days a week inthe Fairfield County area. Weoffer excellent compensation,including Malpractice, Health,Life, Dental, 401k, CEU, mileage,LT & ST Disability, an establishedpatient base and a family friendlyflexible schedule. If interested,please call MARIA (toll free) at 877-724-4410 or fax your CV(toll free) to 866-657-5400 email:caring@healthdrive.com

Optometrist - New Jersey -HealthDrive has a great opportu-nity for a caring optometrist look-ing to work 4 days a week in theTrenton/Mercerville area. Weoffer excellent compensation,including Malpractice, Health,Life, Dental, 401k, CEU, mileage,LT & ST Disability, an establishedpatient base and a family friendlyflexible schedule. If interested,please call MARIA (toll free) at 877-724-4410 or fax your CV(toll free) to 866-657-5400 email:caring@healthdrive.com

Pharma Sales Established phar-ma/device co. seeks independentreps for territories throughout theU.S. Non-competing lines ok.Excellent commission and leadreferrals. Trade show travel andexpenses paid. Consult www.ocu-soft.com Send resumes in confi-dence to: Mary Harris; email:mharris@ocusoft.com.

PRACTICES FOR SALE.Nationwide listings including: AZ,CA, FL, GA, KY, ND and NY. Plusmany pocket listings. PracticeConcepts 877-778-2020 orwww.practiceconcepts.com.

Private Northampton, MAoptometry practice in beautiful 5college area seeks AssociateOptometrist. Initially 3 days/week, grow with our practice!Current instrumentation, 3 lanes, 3licensed opticians, pleasant staffand work environment. ContactMary 413.584.6616.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BusyRefractive Practice seeking apersonal, outgoing Optometrist towork in our surgery centers.PT/FT positions available inOrange County, Inland Empire andLos Angeles County. Please faxresume to 626-963-2544 aten:Luz Morales

Southwest Illinois - Opto-metric Practice Fair Market Value $183,000.00. CONTACTPRACTICE BROKER: RICHARD S. KATTOUF, O.D., D.O.S. 800-745-3937.

VIRGINIA- Beautiful ShenandoahValley. FT/PT optometrist neededfor a fast growing, upscale, primary eye care practice. New, state-of-the-art equipmentand facility. Employee and partner-ship opportunities. www.marrowfamilyeyecare.com or540.442.7742.

WASHINGTON – Rainier ValleyOptometric is seeking an opt-ometrist full-time. Our office islocated within an underservedcommunity of southeast Seattle,which is composed of a predomi-nantly Asian population. Candidatemust: 1) be licensed in the state ofWashington with full therapeuticprivileges; 2) possess a minimumof three years experience in thera-peutic, contact lens and low visioncare; 3) be comfortable workingwith a diverse ethnic population,especially working within theAsian community; 4) be fluent intwo of the following languages:Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarinand/or Taiwanese. Interestedapplicants should fax a resumeand cover letter to (206) 722-2211Attn: Wilbur Susilasate, O.D.

Washington State – CentralSuccessful, well established prac-tice with state of the art instru-ments and professional buildingfor sale. Located in growing areawith diverse economy includinghigh tech companies. Manyrecreational opportunities. Email:eyecare_2020@hotmail.com

Miscellaneous

AMAZING - FINANCING -100%- Acquisition, Debt Consolidation,Equipment, Real Estate, WorkingCapital. Fast Approvals, LowRates, Terms~15 Years. ProMedFinancial, Inc.~ 888-277-6633 oremail info@promed-financial.com

DO YOU WANT TO HELP CHILDREN? 1 out of 4 childrenstruggle with vision problemsthat interfere with reading andlearning. Detection and treatmentof these vision problems could beyour niche. Learn more aboutmaking vision therapy a profitableservice in your practice. Call todayto schedule a free consultationwith Toni Bristol at ExpansionConsultants, Inc., specializing inVision Therapy practice manage-ment and marketing since 1988.Toll free 877/248-3823.

Hands-on Clinical Training inVision Therapy is available fromOEP for you and your staff at fourUS sites. Call now for informa-tion 800 447 0370

I NEED FRAMES, temples,bridges stamped 1/10th 12kG.F.(gold filled). New, old stock, orUsed. Full, Semi, or Rimlessstyles. Contact GF Specialties,Ltd. 800/351-6926.

Equipment for Sale

Monocular Indirect substitueLed handle, uses (3 aaa batteries)plus free 15 dioptor BIO lens$139.95 plus $7.95 shipping.Supply limited, satisfaction guaranteed. Call Dr. Dunn 806-745-2222

MONOCULAR INDIRECT OPH-THALMOSCOPE light source.This LED light is brighter andmore brilliant then the originallight source by far! It is poweredby 3 AA batteries. My supplies arenot limited. Cost $100 plus $6.95for shipping. Call 503 292 5221.

Palm Desert, CA: Optical (com-plete) with display units & risers,reception desk, dispensingtables. Equip that 2nd office inexpensively call Karen @760-578-5034

Classified Advertising InformationEffective the October 9, 2006 issue onwards, Classified advertising rates are are as follows: 1 column inch = $50 (40 words maximum) 2 column inches - $100 (80 words maximum) 3 column inches = $150 (120 words maximum). This includes the placement of your advertisement in the classified section of the AOA Member Web site for two weeks. An AOA box number charge is $30.00 and includes mailing of responses. The envelope will be forwarded, unopened, to the party who placed the advertisement. Classifieds are not commissionable. All advertising copy must be received by e-mail at k.spurlock@elsevier.com or by fax at 212.633.3820 attention Keida Spurlock, Classified Advertising. You can also mail the ads to Elsevier, 360 Park Avenue South, 9th floor, New York, NY 10010.

Advertisements may not be placed by telephone. Advertisements must be submitted at least 30 days preceding the publication. All ad placements must be confirmed by the AOA – do not assume your ad is running unless it has been confirmed. Cancellations and/or changes MUST be made prior to the closing date and must be made in writing and confirmed by the AOA. No phone cancellations will be accepted. Advertisements of a “personal” nature are not accepted. The AOA NEWS publishes 18 times per year(one issue only in January, June, July, August, November, and December, all other months, two issues.) and posting on the Web site will coincide with the AOA NEWS publication dates. Call Keida Spurlock - Elsevier ad sales contact - at 212.633.3986 for advertising rates for all classifieds and showcase ads.

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