News from the AOA's Blog

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 ?

Kevin Sharp volunteers by helping at Opening Eyes 2011 in Michigan.

Americans have discovered a penchant for volunteering. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 60 million Americans volunteer annually. Volunteer-ing makes people feel good about themselves and their contributions to their communities.

In recent years, an increasing number of employing organizations have begun encouraging and supporting employees in their volunteer efforts. The organization and the individual stand to gain numerous benefits from employer supported volunteerism.  

The benefits of volunteering for an individual are many.  Volunteerism matches an individual with a need in the community. It offers the volunteer an opportunity to make a meaningful and long-term difference within the community — an experience that is often very rewarding and sometimes life-changing.  Read the rest of this entry ?

Does your practice delegate tasks and responsibilities to optometric staff as part of your strategic plan for revenue growth? This is a question worth consideration by upper management when looking at means to increase productivity.

When it comes to delegating job responsibilities to paraoptometrics, management must consider the benefits of delegation that will add value to their staff and practice. 

Delegation means assigning authority and/or responsibility over to someone to complete a task, function or reach a goal.

Entrusting paraoptometric staff to complete tasks normally performed by the optometrist may require a shift in thinking.  Read the rest of this entry ?

The AOA Paraoptometric Section honored the recipients of its annual awards at Optometry’s Meeting® in Salt Lake City last month. The recipients were recognized for their service and dedication to the paraoptometric profession at the 32nd Paraoptometric Section Awards Luncheon sponsored by CIBA Vision.     

Shoni M. Sharp, CPOT, of Olivet, Mich., received the Paraoptometric of the Year (POY) award. MeLissa Olson of Gaylord, Mich., received the Community Service Award, and the Mississippi Paraoptometric Association was recognized for its membership effort with the Bridgeway Award. Read the rest of this entry ?

In times when every expense should bring a high return on the investment, what are the benefits to the practice for sending paraoptometric staff to state, regional or national meetings? Attendance at meetings will help staff discover and implement new ideas that deliver results.

Exposure to new ideas and challenges trains the mind to search for innovative solutions. Attendance will provide opportunities to make valuable connections with other optometric professionals and suppliers who have solutions the practice may need and provide opportunities for building staff loyalty. Read the rest of this entry ?

Advance your practice by providing your paraoptometric staff with the latest Freeform® lens design technology available today.

Freeform lens technology can be challenging, and differentiating the designs in today’s market can be demanding. That’s why the AOA Paraoptometric Section is bringing you a new information-packed education module titled “An Introduction to Freeform.” Read the rest of this entry ?

For the fifth year, the AOA Paraoptometric Section will present an award for affiliates, honoring the work done on the state level to increase awareness of the paraoptometric profession at the state and national levels.

Affiliate optometric and paraoptometric associations who strive to increase awareness of paraoptometric resources and recognition of the porofession both locally and nationally will not want to miss participating in this exciting award.

The state with the most accumulated criteria points each year will win a gift basket of education materials ($600 value) to be used as a lending library for their members.

Do you know a paraoptometric who serves patients and is active in the community? The Paraoptometric Section of the AOA is seeking nominations for the 2011 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.  Individuals may nominate themselves for this award or can be nominated by other professionals.

Criteria for judging include the individual’s involvement in community service within the optometric practice, within the community (including community service sponsored by the employer’s practice), the personal goals of community service, and the professional goals of community service.

The recipient will be presented a plaque of recognition, a $100 personal cash award, and a $100 award to the charity of the recipient’s choice during the Paraoptometric Section Awards Luncheon being held Thursday, June 16, 2011 during the 114th Annual AOA Congress & 41st Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting® in Salt Lake City, Utah. The AOA Paraoptometric Section Awards Luncheon is sponsored by CIBA Vision.

To download a nomination form, go to www.aoa.org/x4979.xml. Completed nomination forms should be submitted via e-mail with attachments to Joan Abney at JVAbney@aoa.org, or faxed to 314-991-4101 by March 31, 2011.