Volume 7, Issue 01│January 06, 2023
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Future Optometric Doctors Program
Dr. Connor Robbs hosted Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley High School at the Illinois College of Optometry for his Future Optometric Doctors Program.
"We are giving students an opportunity to show them how important medical optometry is and the vital role optometrist's play in patients' overall systemic health," Dr. Robbs said.
These students took retinal photos, shadowed in clinic, and saw how medical optometry plays a significant role in a patient’s overall health.
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ICO Student and "EP native co-writes children’s book about diversity"
Proceeds from the sale of 'The Way We Play' will be donated to a non-profit organization that supports child literacy in Ethiopia.
Hugh Burke and Kylie Donohue recently co-wrote a children’s book called “The Way We Play.” The 30-page book follows a group of students on a normal afternoon during school playtime as they learn to work together and appreciate their own strengths and differences. Submitted photos
Eden Prairie native Hugh Burke and his girlfriend Kylie Donohue teamed up to write a children’s book that teaches kids about diversity.
Burke, a second-year medical student training to be a pediatric psychiatrist at the University of Minnesota, and Donohue, a second-year student at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, aimed to create a story that would entertain young readers and impart important lessons about working together and recognizing one’s strengths.
“I don’t think a lot of boyfriends and girlfriends get to experience (writing a book together),” Burke said. “We felt like we were working toward something that we really cared about and both wanted to come to life.”
The result is “The Way We Play,” a book that follows a group of students during their school playtime. While playing games together, the “classmates come to recognize their own strengths and appreciate the differences that make them all unique,” according to the book’s synopsis on the Barnes & Noble and Amazon websites.
Burke said he hopes the book will empower adults to recognize children’s inherent power and capabilities. For kids, Burke said, it preaches an open-mindedness and encourages social interaction with a diversity of perspectives and experiences.
According to Burke, “The Way We Play” is intended for readers in the age range of pre-kindergarten to first or second grade.
“Through the different perspectives and activities you can become more well-rounded in the end,” he said of the book’s underlying theme. “Become a better human.”
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Following our big community care win at VA (which recognizes private practice ODs to provide laser and other surgical care under their scope to Veterans), the Academy of Ophthalmology lashed out. There was an op-ed in Medpage a few weeks ago that argued against allowing ODs to provide surgical services at VAs where their state's scope allowed it. This same op-ed has surfaced in other states. In December, Richard Castillo, OD, DO, and Michael Mittelman, OD, MPH, MBA, wrote an op-ed that appeared in Medpage urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to hold strong on its updated care guidelines.
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Call for Abstracts: ePoster Submissions Portal Opens Today
The AOA invites you to participate in the ePoster Sessions prior to and during Optometry’s Meeting® 2023 by submitting your abstract online, now through Feb. 13.
Click here to submit your ePoster abstract entry (first-time users must create an account).
The ePoster Session will be conducted virtually on the AOA EyeLearn Professional Development Hub, June 13-14, 2023, to facilitate greater participation among colleagues nationwide. The top five abstracts will then be selected for an interactive education session at Optometry’s Meeting, June 24, from 1-3 p.m., with each presenter receiving a $350 honorarium to participate in a 15-to-20-minute presentation. These abstracts will also be featured in the AOA Focus magazine.
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Advocating For Doctors and Protecting Reimbursement
In October it was reported to AOA that Elevance was denying CPT 83516 for the InflammaDry test. AOA had an opportunity to meet with the Elevance team. The health plan investigated the matter and found that they had an incorrect provider restriction in place for doctors of optometry. AOA is working with the plan to ensure any doctors who received inappropriate denials have that issue rectified. Contact Kara Webb at kcwebb@aoa.org if you’ve experienced denials of this code with Elevance.
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Paraoptometric Certification Exam Update
The CPC has published its 2023 calendar of registration deadlines and exam dates which can be found on the Paraoptometric Certification & Renewal page of the AOA website. These exams were updated in 2021, and the updated exam preparatory materials can be found in EyeLearn. The printable resources are comprehensive and align with the updated CPC exam outlines; these resources are available for member and non-member paraoptometrics. Please take the opportunity to remind doctors that the exam was updated in 2021 to stay relevant with best practices. Any questions can be directed to the AOA Education Center at educationcenter@aoa.org.
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We want to hear your memories of the IOA! In celebration of our 125th anniversary in 2023, the IOA is collecting your stories about the organization.
Please share your thoughts on the importance of IOA membership, favorite memories from IOA, or your thoughts on the history of the IOA.
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IOA/AOA Membership Renewal Update
2023 membership invoices have been mailed out, so members should begin receiving invoices soon! Those on a recurring monthly or quarterly payment do not need to respond as your payment schedule will be automatically renewed.
On September 30, 2022, the IOA Board of Directors voted to keep IOA membership dues at the same rate as 2022. Likewise, the AOA Board of Directors did not issue a dues increase, so IOA/AOA membership fees will remain the same in 2023.
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2023 Dues Contest - Time is Running Out
Pay membership dues in full by 1/31/2023 and be entered into a drawing to win FREE registration to the 2023 IOA Annual Meeting in Schaumburg, Illinois! This includes your registration for the meeting and all CE testing fees associated with your registration but does not include hotel reservations.
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Report illegal and unsafe contact lens sales to the FDA & FTC
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1/25/2023: South Suburban Optometric Society CE (details & registration coming soon!)
2/8/2023: Fox Valley Optometric Society CE (details coming soon!)
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Check out the newest IOA classifieds here!
Full Time Position in the Chicago Suburbs ( Read more)
Fill in OD maternity coverage between March 26th and May 8th (Read more)
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Use Quality Visuals
Investing in high-quality visual content for your site and social media is a must. It gives people a reason to follow, like, comment, and eventually patronize your business. Users rely on images to decide which posts to engage with and whom to follow. Consider including photos or videos of your products, services, facilities, or staff.
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Latex Gloves are No Longer Allowed in Illinois Food Service, Next is Health Care in 2024
St. Louis Public Radio | By Will Bauer
Published January 4, 2023 at 9:47 AM CST
Healthcare providers and workers in Illinois will have to end their use of latex gloves by 2024 because of a new law designed to protect workers and customers who may be allergic to latex.
Metro East food service providers are now barred from using latex gloves as a new state law takes effect.
The Illinois General Assembly passed the Latex Glove Ban Act this year, which Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law in June. The goal of the new law is to protect workers and customers who may be allergic to latex.
The law does carve out exceptions, but they must be “due to a crisis that interrupts a food service establishment’s ability to source nonlatex gloves.” If latex gloves are used, a sign must be prominently displayed.
Glenn Beaubien, who owns State Street Market in Alton, is one of the restaurant owners who’s made the switch from latex.
The fine dining restaurant in the city’s downtown got notice of the change from the Illinois Department of Public Health about one month ago, Beaubien said. The restaurant has since switched to vinyl.
“Latex (gloves) are more expensive than vinyl gloves. So from a cost perspective, that's a better win for us,” he said. “The vinyl gloves aren't as tight fitting, so they're a tad bit more cumbersome to use, but it still is a vehicle to ensure that we’re working cleanly.”
Beaubien said he was a little surprised to read about the change in a letter.
In his eyes, kitchens with a good handwashing culture are just as effective. He said he’s worked in states where gloves aren’t required.
“It worked very well,” he said. “We had a timer set. When the timer went off, everyone, for the most part, would stop doing what they were doing, and they would line up at the hand sink.”
That’s not to say gloves aren’t as safe, he said.
Starting in 2024, the latex ban will also apply to health care settings — many of which have already made the switch.
In health care, people who have repeated exposures to latex, generally, are the most likely to develop an allergy, said Maya Jerath, the clinical director of Washington University’s Division of Allergy and Immunology.
“That could be health care workers, or, for example, children who have been in the health care system a lot because they're born with some kind of a chronic condition that requires them to have multiple surgeries,” Jerath said.
While she doesn’t have experience in the food service industry, she said it would be safe to assume the same could be true: The employees who’ve worn latex regularly would likely be the most at risk to develop an allergy.
Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said the new law fits the direction the food service industry is heading.
“For the most part, most of these are restaurants, providers, they've already moved away from latex gloves,” Toia said.
Food service is one of the most regulated industries, Toia said, so restaurants are naturally sensitive to their customers' allergies, prompting a move by many away from latex.
He said he was happy to see state lawmakers include the provision that allows latex to be used in a bind.
“We’d always rather be at the table than on the menu,” he said.
At least seven other states have similar latex bans: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Ohio, Oregon and Rhode Island.
Whether this is something that should be legislated by state lawmakers is another issue, Jerath said. The scientific evidence to move away from latex is there, however.
“If you can move away from it, that only benefits that population and possibly sensitizes less people as well,” she said.
Most dental offices, she said, have moved away from latex and opt for Nitrile or vinyl gloves. Wash U’s clinics have also moved away from latex.
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Carle Health Finalizes Agreement with Aetna
Urbana, Ill. – Carle Health and Aetna have finalized the Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO agreement, as planned, effective January 1, 2023, which includes Carle hospitals and provider offices in Champaign, Urbana, Hoopeston, Danville, Mattoon, Charleston, Olney and surrounding communities. This agreement enables the continuity of care for many long-time Carle patients and area residents, including State of Illinois retirees, beginning January 1, 2023.
The updated contract expands the in-network status to include the Carle Health East Central Illinois (Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Physician Group and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center) and Southern Illinois (Carle Richland Memorial Hospital) regions. It will take a few weeks for both Aetna and Carle to update their systems, but services covered under the Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO plan will be considered in-network by both parties on the contract effective date.
“This contract was very important to our patients and the Carle Health system,” Dennis Hesch, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial, Strategy Officer, at Carle Health says. “Now, state retirees who have come to know and trust Carle can continue to count on Carle for their healthcare needs in 2023 without interruption.”
“Aetna is dedicated to providing our members with access to affordable, local, convenient care that helps them achieve better health,” said Rick Frommeyer, Senior Vice President, Aetna Group Retiree Solutions. “We are pleased to join with Carle Health in finalizing an agreement that will enable us to work together to serve the care needs of retired Illinois state employees.”
Carle hospitals and provider offices in Bloomington, Normal, Eureka, and their surrounding communities are already in-network with Aetna for its Medicare Advantage PPO product. The signing of the contract expands the locations that accept patients with this plan.
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Prevent Blindness Issues Call for Nominations for the 2023 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health, and Rising Visionary Award
Wed, January 4, 2023
Recipients to be presented awards at the 12th Annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit, July 12 and 13
A volunteer committee will review all nominations and select the award recipients. The submission deadline for both awards is Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at noon ET. The recipients or representatives (if a group or organization) must be available to present (virtually) at the 2023 Focus on Eye Health National Summit.
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ASCO Launches Voices of Diversity Project
ROCKVILLE, Md.—The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) launched its Voices of Diversity project, a key addition to the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging Eye on Diversity initiative, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision. The Voices of Diversity videos feature first-person accounts from doctors of optometry, optometric educators, and optometry students who share their stories about the impact race and prejudice has had on them both personally and professionally. Filmed during the July 2022 Annual Conference of the National Optometric Association, the videos describe instances of microaggressions, sexism, misogyny, bigotry, and prejudice. They also include examples of supportive mentorship, collaboration, helpful guidance, and allyship.
“The Voices of Diversity project is an important component to ASCO’s Eye on Diversity initiative,” said Dr. Charissa Lee, Johnson & Johnson Vision’s head of North America professional affairs. “We are pleased to be a part of this and to offer these testimonials to the broader community. My hope is that these videos will help all of us become more empathetic healthcare providers as well as more compassionate people in our everyday lives.”
“This important project could not have been possible without the incredible support of Johnson & Johnson Vision. These personal accounts of what some of our colleagues have experienced are painful to accept but we must validate these experiences and resolve to do better going forward,” said ASCO president, Dr. Melissa Trego. “I sincerely hope everyone in the optometric profession, as well as other health care providers, take the time to view everyone’s story. They are real, valid and important.”
The Video of Diversity project, in its entirety, is about 1 hour and 30 minutes and can be seen on ASCO’s YouTube channel here.
● First Some History Makers
● Why is DEI Important?
● What Does Inclusion Look Like?
● Everyone Has A Story
● Words to Live By
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Bausch + Lomb, Glaucoma Research Foundation Announce Launch of New Campaign
January 4, 2023
The 'Screen, Protect, Cure' campaign aims to education individuals who may be at risk for glaucoma, while raising funding for glaucoma research during Glaucoma Awareness Month.
In recognition of Glaucoma Awareness Month, Bausch + Lomb Corporation and Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) recently announced the U.S. launch of ‘Screen, Protect, Cure,’ a campaign designed to provide educational resources and raise awareness of glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, during Glaucoma Awareness Month.1
“We are proud to collaborate with Glaucoma Research Foundation to provide critical information about this serious eye disease and underline the negative toll it can have if left untreated,” said Christina Ackermann, president, Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals, Bausch + Lomb.
“Glaucoma can affect individuals of all ages and only half of those affected are aware they have it, so it’s important that we share risk factors, how to get tested and what treatment options are available. Through ‘Screen, Protect, Cure,’ we hope to help support patients in every step of their treatment journey.”1
During the month of January, Glaucoma Awareness Month, Bausch + Lomb and GRF will share educational resources to educate individuals who may be at risk for glaucoma and empower them to take an informed and active role in their eye health. The campaign also features a fundraising challenge that will match every dollar raised up to $20,000 in support of GRF research for a potential cure for glaucoma.
“Glaucoma Awareness Month provides a great opportunity to share information about this sight-threatening disease and remind people there are steps they can take to help preserve their vision,” said Thomas M. Brunner, president & CEO, GRF.
“Visiting an eye care provider on an annual basis and paying attention to visual function are the best things someone can do to avoid the irreversible damage from glaucoma. Although there is currently no cure, our fight to prevent visual disability is ongoing, and we are grateful for the collaboration of organizations, such as Bausch + Lomb, who share this commitment with us.”
People interested in participating in the fundraising challenge or testing their knowledge about glaucoma can take an interactive quiz and learn more here.
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NIH Launches Home Test to Treat, a Pilot COVID-19 Telehealth Program
Berks County, Pennsylvania, is first community to join partnership with local public health departments.
The National Institutes of Health, in collaboration with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has launched the Home Test to Treat program, an entirely virtual community health intervention that will provide free COVID-19 health services—at-home rapid tests, telehealth sessions and at-home treatments—in selected communities. The program, first announced by the White House.
in September 2022, will make antiviral treatment available for eligible individuals who receive a positive test result, which could prevent severe illness, hospitalization or death.
“At-home testing for COVID-19 is now widely available in the United States, as are antiviral treatments, and this program combines easy home access to both,” said Bruce Tromberg, Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at the National Institutes of Health and leader of the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx®) Tech program. “The Home Test to Treat program allows those who are sick an alternative to venturing out for testing or treatment, potentially reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.”
Later this month, local and state officials in Berks County, Pennsylvania, will be the first to pilot the Home Test to Treat program. Up to 8,000 eligible residents are anticipated to participate in the program.
Program organizers will gather information from participants to identify best practices and make improvements to the Home Test to Treat model that can be used to implement the program on a larger scale. Additional communities across the country will be selected to participate based on level of community need, access to healthcare treatment, expected COVID-19 infection rates and socio-economic factors. Through collaborations with local health departments, Home Test to Treat aims to offer services to approximately 100,000 people across the United States in the coming year.
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THANK YOU TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS! |
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