News from the AOA's Blog

As lens designs and the manufacturing processes improve, keeping up with the latest technologies can be daunting. Although freeform technology has been out for some time, evaluating the options on the market today can be confusing. The AOA Paraoptometric Section’s newest education module, Introduction to Freeform®, is designed to outline elements in lens design and manufacture, as well as review the fitting and verification techniques, and how to best position and present designs to personalize patient’s visual needs. Read the rest of this entry ?

While your office has purchased the Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) study guide and flash cards, your paraoptometric staff have studied hard and feel they have a grip on the material covered on the CPO certification examination, it’s normal for them to feel nervous and anxious before taking a test. Most everyone does. A touch of nervous anticipation can be beneficial to help keep one at peak performance while taking the examination.  Read the rest of this entry ?

The office opens in a half hour, the appointment schedule is filled to the max, and two employees have called in sick. This could be an office manager’s nightmare, or an opportunity for staff to unite and utilize all their abilities. Office managers need to prepare for times when planned or unexpected “under staffing” may occur.   Read the rest of this entry ?

The Paraoptometric Section of the AOA is seeking nominations for the 2012 Community Service Award. The award is given to the paraoptometric who demonstrates a commitment to helping improve his or her community and a dedication to the profession of paraoptometry. Read the rest of this entry ?

We live in a world that is ever-changing. According to futurist Faith Popcorn, change will continue to accelerate as much in the next 10 years as it has in the last 50, and as much again in the five years after that. According to this theory, if one lives another 15 years, he or she will actually live through 100 years of change. Are practitioners and staff prepared to handle such rapid changes? Read the rest of this entry ?

 The AOA’s Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC) announced the appointment of Darlene Leuschke, CPC administrator, to the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) as an administrative reviewer.

She will be responsible for reviewing NCCA accreditation applications from certifying organizations for their certification program(s) against NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. Read the rest of this entry ?

The AOA Paraoptometric Section is seeking nominations for the Paraoptometric of the Year Award (POY).

The award is given annually to the optometric assistant or technician who has made outstanding and worthwhile contributions to the profession of optometry, paraoptometry, and the general public. Read the rest of this entry ?

Optometric practices may not realize it yet, but baby boomers are coming to optometric practices; and they are coming in the millions.

According to M. Thornhill’s, “The Boomer Project,” every day, almost 11,000 boomers turn 50—that’s one every eight seconds. Boomer Marketing News reports that by 2030, there will be more than 70 million Americans over age 65, and baby boomers will be reshaping the health care system for generations to come.  Read the rest of this entry ?

By Tom Annunziato, O.D.

Have you ever stopped and asked your staff how they view their various roles in your office? You may be surprised by their responses.

Recently, six questions were presented to two paraoptometrics in an optometric office. The questions covered specific topics relating to the staff’s interactions with an industry representative who visited the office. Read the rest of this entry ?

Those who grew up with siblings can probably remember a time when someone went to mom or dad and complained that “she’s looking at me” or “he took my toy.”  Conflict is a part of life. But when serving as office managers, dealing with employee conflict can be very frustrating and time-consuming, particularly if they are not equipped to deal with it.  A recent survey of 1,000 managers revealed an average of 18 percent of their time is spent managing employee conflicts.  That equates to nearly one day every week. Read the rest of this entry ?