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August 12th 2010 -
It may be hard to believe, given how hot it is these days, but soon the weather will shift, the leaves will change, and the city of Bloomington will play host to the largest annual gathering of Indiana optometrists.
That's right! The 2010 Indiana Optometric Association Fall Seminar is just around the corner. Hosted on October 6th & 7th at the Indiana Memorial Union, within the bustling campus of Indiana University, this event will offer 14 COPE-qualified C.E. hours, a student-run exhibition hall, and the opportunity to experience the beguiling autumn vistas of Bloomington, Indiana.
The IOA will be offering 3 registration choices to attendees,Wednesday-Only, Thursday-Only, and full registration for both days. Choose whatever best fits your schedule.
*Hotel accomodations will be handled by the Indiana Memorial Union. You must reserve your room by September 4th. The group code is "70-10".
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August 7th 2010 - The long wait is over! The IOA Electronic Medical Records Manual, Optometric Electronic Medical Records: A Step by Step Guide to Implementation, is now available in book form in the IOA store.
This is a book written FOR OPTOMETRISTS, BY OPTOMETRISTS. Click on the image of the book below to learn more about how this book can help your optometric practice rise to the challenge of implementing a new EMR software system.
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July 27th 2010 - Many experts believe that approximately 80% of learning comes through vision. Therefore, one of the most important things a parent can do to help their children succeed in school this year is to take them to an optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam.
Vision
screenings, which some kids have through the school nurse or their family doctors,
are helpful, but they are not diagnostic, and they typically identify only a
small portion of the vision problems in children. Comprehensive eye exams are
necessary to detect problems that a simple screening can miss, such as eye
coordination, lazy eye, and near and farsightedness.
One in four students has a visual impairment,
therefore, millions of children will start school this year with a vision
problem that may inhibit their ability to learn and ultimately affect the rest
of their lives. These problems can affect comprehension performance in
reading, writing and concentration. Studies indicate that 60 percent of
children identified as “problem learners” actually suffer from undetected
vision problems and in some cases have been inaccurately diagnosed with
attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD).
However, parents can also play an important role in looking out for
certain behaviors and warning signs that could indicate an eye problem. Warning signs parents should watch for include:
- Loses place while reading
- Avoids close work
- Tends to rub eyes
- Has headaches
- Turns or tilts head
- Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing
- Uses finger to maintain place when reading
- Omits or confuses small words when reading
- Consistently performs below potential
- Struggles to complete homework
- Squints while reading or watching television
- Has behavioral problems
- Holds
reading material closer than normal
If parents notice any of those symptoms, they should schedule an
appointment for their child to see an optometrist. Typically, optometric exams are covered by insurance policies, so
we encourage you to check with your insurance provider. In addition, the AOA has relationships
with organizations like the Lions Club and special AOA programs such as VISION
USA, which offer exams and care at discounted rates.
For more information on these programs, parents can visit www.aoa.org.
The
easiest way to find an optometrist and to set an appointment is by accessing
the doctor locator on the Indiana Optometric Association’s website at www.ioa.org. The AOA’s Doctor Locator
allows users to type in their zip code and to find an optometrist in their
area.
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May 31st 2010 - WASHINGTON, D.C.--
Facing mounting pressure from AOA and others, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced today that it will once again postpone enforcement of the Red Flags Rule, this time:: continue »
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May 6th 2010 - INDIANAPOLIS - Donors and volunteers who have contributed to excellence in a school or program at IUPUI were honored at the 21st annual IUPUI Spirit of Philanthropy Luncheon and Awards ceremony.
In honoring:: continue »
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AOA WINS HISTORIC PATIENT ACCESS VICTORY FOR OPTOMETRY IN NATIONAL HEALTH CARE BATTLE
Final Bill Includes First Federal Provider Non-Discrimination Standard to Target Exclusionary:: continue »
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Consumers should not buy decorative contact lenses without a doctor’s prescription and fitting
The American Optometric Association (AOA) and Indiana Optometric Association (IOA) are warning consumers:: continue »
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SURETY BOND UPDATE FROM THE AOA:
Despite strong objections by AOA, on Oct. 2 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reiterated its questionable position that a physician who supplies eyeglasses:: continue »
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Elections were held to determine IOA's leadership on April 17, 2009 during IOA's Annual Convention. The officers listed below will serve until April 2010. IOA Trustess, also listed below, serve two-year terms.
IOA’s 2010-2011 Officers:
| President: |
Linnea Robbins-Winters, OD, New Carlisle |
| President-Elect: |
Jennifer Bailey, OD, New Castle |
| Vice President: |
Polly Hendricks, OD. Bordon |
| Secretary-Treasurer: |
James Stewart, OD, FAAO, Muncie |
| Immediate Past President: |
Richard Schamerloh, OD, FAAO, Bluffton |
IOA’s 2010-2011 Trustees:
| Northeastern |
Karon Nowakowski, OD, Muncie |
| Northwestern |
Darren Minnich, OD, Nappanee |
| North Central |
Andrew Burkhart, OD, Kokomo |
| Central |
Brad Sutton, OD, Indianapolis |
| Southeastern |
Aaron Cunningham, OD, Martinsville |
| Western |
Todd Niemeier, OD, Evansville |
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Doctors on the Frontline of Eye & Vision Care
^ Click on the arrow above to play video
Click here to find an optometrist in your community!
Doctors of optometry (ODs) are primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.
- Doctors of optometry prescribe medications, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and perform certain procedures.
- Optometrists counsel their patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options that meet their visual needs related to their occupations, avocations, and lifestyle.
- An optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree.
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Some optometrists complete an optional residency in a specific area of practice.
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Optometrists are eye health care professionals licensed to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system.
As primary eye care providers, doctors of optometry are an integral part of the health care team, earning their doctoral degree just as dentists, podiatrists and other doctors do. Prior to admittance into optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Required undergraduate coursework for pre-optometry students is extensive and covers a wide variety of advanced health, science and mathematics courses.
Optometry school consists of four years of post-graduate, doctoral level study focusing on the eye, vision and associated systemic diseases. In addition to profession-specific courses, optometrists are required to take systemic health courses that focus on a patient’s overall medical condition as it relates to the eyes.
Upon completion of optometry school, candidates graduate from their accredited college of optometry and hold the doctor of optometry (OD) degree. Optometrists must pass a rigorous national examination administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). The three-part exam includes basic science, clinical science and patient care. (The structure and format of the NBEO exams are subject to change beginning in 2008.) Some optometrists go on to complete residencies with advanced training in a specific sub-specialty. These specialties can include pediatric care, children’s vision, geriatric care, pre- and post-surgery care, specialty contact lens (for keratoconus patients or other corneal dystrophies) and many others. All optometrists are required to participate in ongoing continuing education courses to stay current on the latest standards of care.
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Have you updated your U.S. Dept. of Labor and OSHA posters? Do you want to know what's happening at the Indiana State House that could impact optometry? Do you need to find a new associate or the email address of a colleague? Sign onto the members-only side of this site today and take advantage of its many on-line resources!
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SAVE THE DATES
IOA's upcoming
educational events
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IOA Fall Seminar, IU Memorial Union,
Bloomington |
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APRIL 29-MAY 1, 2011 |
IOA Annual Convention, Hyatt Regency,
Indianapolis |
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Watch this website for information on all future events.
Sponsorship opportunities available.
(317) 237-3561
If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor or sponsoring one of IOA's events, please call
317-237-3561.
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