Optometry Groups Meet to Discuss Industry-Wide Issues

IOCCC Group photo

by Amanda Howarth, ASCO Intern

On February 18-19, 2017, the Inter-Organizational Communications and Cooperation Committee (IOCCC) met in Dallas, Texas. The following five IOCCC organizations sent representatives to the event: the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), the American Optometric Association (AOA), the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO), and the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). ASCO was represented by President Dr. Karla Zadnik, President-Elect Dr. David Damari, and Executive Director Dawn Mancuso.

Topics discussed included:

  • the appropriate use and development of telemedicine
  • profession-wide implications of practice advancement
  • the growing practice of utilizing Physician Assistants and technicians in performing eye exams in place of Doctors of Optometry
  • continuing efforts to build a stronger applicant pool for optometry institutions
  • possible responses to the report, Public Health Approaches to Reduce Vision Impairment and Promote Eye Health, which was conducted by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)
  • The Sub-specialties in Optometry Working Group (SSOWG) selected Low Vision Rehabilitation as the first test specialty to develop criteria, and assigned a special working group to explore how a sub-specialty in low vision rehabilitation might work. This low-vision focused working group provided an update on their progress
  • An AOA-ARBO task force is negotiating the final details of the governance process for a continuing education accreditation program
  • A Joint Communication Advisory Working Group (JCAWG) composed of communications staff at the five organizations is continuing to discuss the best methods for a coordinated awareness campaign

The next IOCCC meeting will occur September 8-9, 2017.