News from the AOA's Blog

Christian Casanova, Ph.D., was announced to succeeded the outgoing Jacques Gresset in the directorship of the School of Optometry at the University of Montreal (U of M). The term of office is for four years.

Dr. Casanova is a professor at the School of Optometry and an associate professor in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke. Read the rest of this entry ?

Surescripts, the nation’s largest e-prescribing network, announced Sept. 12 that it now supports electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS).

The company also announced “limited deployment” of its controlled substance e-prescribing capability by certified pharmacies and prescriber software vendors. Read the rest of this entry ?

Many health care practitioners need information on the basics of the Medicare system, the U.S. Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) notes.

The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) now offers a series of Web-based training courses to teach health care professionals the fundamentals of the Medicare Program. Read the rest of this entry ?

Eric C. McPeak, O.D., on Aug. 22, became the first health care practitioner to exchange clinical data through the new Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN).

“Because optometry is an integral part of the overall health care delivery system, I really like the idea that I can securely communicate with my patients’ other health care providers about diabetes and other systemic conditions so we can work together to have the best possible outcomes for the patient,” said Dr. McPeak. Read the rest of this entry ?

The American Public Health Association (APHA) Vision Care Section will honor APHA President-Elect Melvin D. Shipp, O.D., Dr.P.H., MPH, with a special Dessert Reception and Champagne Toast on Oct. 31 during the association’s 139th Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C. 

Dr. Shipp, dean of The Ohio State University College of Optometry and a longtime, active AOA member, is the first optometrist ever elected to lead the world’s oldest, largest, and most diverse organization of public health professionals. Read the rest of this entry ?

Longtime Salus University President Thomas L. Lewis, O.D., Ph.D., whose leadership of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) resulted in unprecedented growth that led to the establishment of Salus University, has announced he is stepping down effective June 30, 2012.

“Tom Lewis’ vision has had an extraordinary impact on this institution,” said Jo Surpin, chair of the university’s Board of Trustees. “Always with a focus on students, the results of his leadership are seen in the university’s programs and clinical facilities and its ability to implement new initiatives at a time when some institutions have postponed their plans.” Read the rest of this entry ?

The first Physician Assistant (PA) program in Orange County will be started by the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO), via a two-year graduate degree. 

The program, approved by the college’s Board of Trustees, will fill a critical need in the delivery of health care.

The new PA program is targeted to begin as early as the fall of 2014. Read the rest of this entry ?

The Koetting family optometrists are shown. From left, James Koetting, O.D., Felix Koetting, O.D., and Robert Koetting, O.D.

Long regarded as a central figure in the introduction of the contact lens to eye and vision care, Robert A. Koetting, O.D., is also being remembered a practice management innovator, inventor, writer, editor, lecturer, volunteer, and a supporter of optometric education and the arts.

Dr. Koetting, the AOA’s 1999 Optometrist of the Year, passed away Aug. 7 in the Dallas, Texas, area where he had resided for the past three years to be near his daughter.

During his more than 50 years in eye and vision care, Dr. Koetting and his suburban St. Louis practice, The Koetting Associates, became virtually synonymous with contact lenses. He helped introduce the lenses to the U.S. market and established himself as an internationally recognized contact lens expert. Read the rest of this entry ?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has reaffirmed its 2005 recommendation that all newborns should receive topical eye medication for the prevention of gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum within 24 hours of birth. This is a Grade A recommendation.

The USPSTF concluded that there was no evidence of harms associated with the treatment, and the evidence showed a clear benefit to offering the preventive measure to all newborns. Read the rest of this entry ?

Patients with dry eye might have Sjögren’s syndrome. Dry eye is a leading symptom of this prevalent autoimmune disease that affects 4 million Americans.
 As symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome mimic other conditions and diseases, Sjögren’s can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed.

On average, it takes nearly seven years to receive a diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome. Read the rest of this entry ?