News from the AOA's Blog

Dr. Thau examines an infant in her Manhattan practice.

Her father’s love of optometry inspired Andrea Thau, O.D., to pursue what was to become a lifelong passion. Now, as the owner of her five-women practice in Manhattan, N.Y., Dr. Thau continues in her father’s footsteps as a provider of vision care for patients and an advocate for the profession.
 
Q: What is it about the profession that makes you so passionate about it? In other words, what motivates you?

A: Some have said that I was destined to be an optometrist. After all, my first word was light! My decision to become an optometrist crystallized after winning second place in my school’s science fair in 7th grade for my project titled “The Eye and How It Functions.” As part of the project, I dissected a cow’s eye on the kitchen table with my father’s help. Obtaining a cow’s eye was not easy, but my father was able to obtain one from my cousin who was a butcher. My father brought home surgical instruments from the hospital. I thought it was really cool, but my mother didn’t stay in the kitchen while my Dad and I conducted our surgical experiment.  In 8th grade, I conducted a science project comparing the visual memory of students in the most advanced class to the students in the least advanced class. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in my father’s office from time to time as I was going through school. Observing him was an invaluable experience. He was truly a primary care optometrist who examined patients from babies to seniors.

Andrea Thau, O.D., dances with her father, Edwin C. Thau, O.D., on her wedding day in 1984.

Q: On the flip side, what is it about the profession that gives you cause for concern?

A: I am sad about the apathy that some of our colleagues exhibit. Many of them do not feel the need to join the AOA. Even worse, others try to sabotage AOA’s great work. As I was growing up, I watched my father and his colleagues advocate on behalf of our profession. Thanks to their efforts, I inherited a much stronger profession, and a much broader scope of practice. He loved our profession with all of his heart, as I do too. We are an optometric family and we need to stay united to advance our profession and better serve our patients.

Q: Can you share more information about the specifics of your practice and how you go about fulfilling your goal of providing quality vision care for your patients.

A: I own a five-women private practice on Park Avenue in Manhattan. We provide full-scope care for patients of all ages. We are especially known for our work with children, including special needs children. We provide vision therapy, fit contact lenses and treat ocular disease. Being involved in organized optometry has provided the satisfaction of knowing that I am helping to advance our beloved profession. 

Q: What goals are you hoping to accomplish with your practice (or actually realizing now within the practice)?

A: We have tried to establish ourselves as one of the premier private practices in the country. We are nationally recognized lecturers. Our doctors are faculty members, residency-trained, and published. We establish long-term relationships with our patients, some of whom travel from other countries to see us. We try to provide the finest care, while also demonstrating compassion and concern for our patients of all ages.

Q: Since you have been a member of the AOA, what has changed within the AOA organization and what has remained the same?

A: AOA has become stronger and stronger. Our Washington office, under the leadership of the talented Jon Hymes, does an outstanding job of representing us on the Hill and making sure that optometry has access to our patients. Dr. Barry Barresi has revamped and streamlined operations at AOA, helping to make us more efficient and financially sound.

Q: Could you elaborate a little more on why it is important that younger ODs become members of AOA and get involved?

A: Optometry is our profession. If we are not for ourselves, who will be for us? Our youngest colleagues are joining our profession during a golden age, having inherited many rights and privileges thanks to those ODs who have come before them and volunteered their time, talent and energy to bring optometry to where it is today. I feel an obligation to “pay it forward” and I hope the young ODs will too. As a way of showing gratitude to those AOA members whose efforts brought our profession to where we stand today, so too must we donate our time and energy to advance the profession for the next generation. Being a member of AOA is your professional insurance. It protects your right to practice. Just as you would never consider practicing without your malpractice or business insurance, no OD should practice without his or her professional insurance, AOA membership. Those ODs who are involved develop lifelong friendships, build successful practices and are very happy professionally.

Q: What do you hope for the future of optometry?

A: I hope that optometrists will be widely recognized as the go-to experts in eye and vision care. I also hope that all children undergo an InfantSEE® exam in the first year of life, and then undergo regular, comprehensive eye examinations throughout life. Finally, I hope that we will have access to our patients and be able to provide the finest eye and vision care for all.