Dr. James E. Sheedy, O.D. PhD speech and paper at OAA 1998 leadership Conference

[MVEYES]

Dr Sheedy said under the subtopic Education and the Definition of an "optician" :

Most, if not all, professions have a formal education requirement - this is not the case for opticianry. There are 2 year programs in opticianry, typically at community colleges, which lead to an associate degree. However matriculation in one of these programs is not required to become an optician. .... There are 24 such opticianry programs accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation and several others not accredited. An OAA survey indicated that only 17% of opticians practicing in the United States have attended one of these 2-year programs(3).

The American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) are well recognized as certifying boards for individual opticians. There are approximately 28,000 ABO certified opticians and about 8000 certified by NCLE, but because of considerable dual certification there are about 31,000 with one or the other certification (4). However, it is estimated that there are 65,000 opticians in the US, clearly many who claim status as an optician have neither educational nor accreditation credentials.

The lack of a required educational background is the greatest shortcoming of opticianry, as discussed by Lamperelli and Grube (5). Opticianry will be defined, in either the legislative or the health care environment, by the lowest common denominator or requirement to become an optician. If the future is as a member of the health care team, then it almost certainly must have an educational basis as do other health care professions.

3. Opticians Association of America, Fairfax, VA.
4. American Board of Opticianry, National Contact Lens Examiners, Fairfax VA
5.Lamperelli K, Grube L. Has opticianry education failed opticianry? EyeWear, 59-65, Februrary, 1998



What do you think about these statements?



Jerry

[Mud Slide Slim]

From my standpoint, it seems to be a very accurate statement on the state of opticianary. Unless an individual is in a licensed state, or has the ABO or NCLE accreditation, there is no requirement to practice. And that only hurts us all and the profession. The opticianary programs mentioned are a great way to learn the theorys and up to date processes. Also, because you wear a lab coat and hold a pd rule, does not make you an optician. But with optical becoming retail-RETAIL with almost every chain getting into it , there is not enough QUALIFIED individuals trained to carry on the REAL aspects of what an optician is. Also with technology as it is, being able to train someone off the street in a couple of days to surface or edge, is the norm. In a earlier post the question was asked, "What is your definition of an optician?" My serious answer is one who can take a prescription from a patient, and not only PROPERLY educate, but also fit, surface,finish and dispense a pair of glasses that the patient can use, without problems. 100% accurate to the prescription.
The answer to the problem of the shortage of qualified opticians is certainly thru education, as in opticianary programs, or a nationwide licensing procedure, which would never happen as long as there is resistance from chains, independent OD's or MD's.

[MVEYES]

You are absolutely right. A further quote from Dr. Sheedy:

Opticianry does not have organizational synergy. There are probably too many organizations and they do not always work well together. Opticianry would benefit by paring organizations, combining where possible, and streamlining the functions of organizations to avoid overlap. Optometry's organization could serve as a model.

A few examples: The OAA and the National Academy of Opticianry (NAO) have numerous overlapping functions - yet remain on a path of competition rather than cooperatio. The National Federation of Opticianry Schools (NFOS) does not require that member institutions be accredited by the COA. Neither NAO or OAA require ABO certification for membership. The stat OAA organization have considerable autonomy from the directions established by the national leaders - resulting in fragmentation at the state levels.

Unfortunately, the several opticianry organizations each see checkmated by the others. Stagnation is caused by lack of common goals and perspectives among the organizations. Although it would be best to establish consensus and cooperation among organizations, I am not convinced that this can be readily accomplished. Opticianry needs a benevolent dictator. Someone or some organization needs to take charge. This does not mean "take charge" of all elements of opticianry, but "take charge" of the directions and make sure that the components work smoothly.

I think this hits a core problem with our associations.


Jerry

[Mud Slide Slim]

:) Amen......where do I sign up?

[MVEYES]

We need to work on these folks in joining forces as one organization. I know it will be a hard sell but the executive boards in these organizations need to get together and work out a merger. Then we need to focus state to state on licensure and formal education as a unified profession under one strong organization.



:idea: :cheers: Jerry

[stephanie]

Well Jerry, I will tell you...I have worked with some of the most unqualified people in my life who call themselves "opticians". I have also worked with a few great ones as well. It is like my friend (who I learned a great deal from) said to me several times. Anyone can throw together a pair of gls...it takes a pro to fabricate a pair of gls. It is true. You have to love the job to be good at it as well. Anyone can go in and get lucky and pass the ABO...but can the fit a progressive??? Do they know how to troubleshoot??? Do they care??? Ummm....some do some don't. It is so unfortunate that the pts don't have knowledge of some of the things we know. Shouldn't there be a way to weed out these bad seeds? It would take a lot and all the organizations would have to work as a team effort to do it.
Just my two cents worth....

Steph

[MVEYES]

Let's keep working at it. Perserverance will prevail. We just need to open some doors and get people to understand the logic behind quality dispensing and professional Opticians.



:D :cheers: Jerry

[Jackie L]

Hey there...I remember the speech that he gave during the luncheon at OAA Leadership. 90% of the people in that room agreed with Dr. Sheedy's summation. The 10% that did not, are blinded by the big picture. (In my opinion). It was well received.

[MVEYES]

Any thoughts on how to put the solutions into action? Do we need an arbitrator between our National associations to try to work out an equitable merger?



:) Jerry

[CuriousCat]

Jerry,
I don't see that merger happening, nor should we waste a great deal of time, money and energy towards that end. We would be better served with a combined ABO/NCLE exam with a post-secondary degree in Opticianry from an accredited Opticianry program as a pre-requisite.

Neither Optometry nor Ophthalmology is represented to the public by only one organization. In fact there are many organizations to which Ophthalmic professionals can belong.

Opticians seem to see membership in their professional organizations as an "either/or" situation. Membership in OAA supercedes state association membership; NAO supercedes OAA and so forth. The conferees in Charleston have made the commitment of time, talent and money to effect positive change in the OAA. They deserve the fiscal and physical support of everyone who calls him or herself an Optician.

However, Opticians as a group of professionals need to change the way they view themselves. If you are licensed with no degree, get one. If you are ABO and/or NCLE certified become a Master and get a degree. It is amazing how much that piece of paper can change your perception of yourself and your profession. And, most importantly, become an active member of every organization that is pertinent to your chosen field.

[MVEYES]

You have strong arguments that I agree with whole heartedly. I still feel that there needs to be a means of cooperation and understanding between these groups. Possibly having representatives from each organization on each board.
You have brought up some very important issues concerning the involvement of the individual who wants to be called an Optician. I feel that certification is a first step after a formal education is achieved. Higher levels of testing and education should distinguish the credentials of one Optician from another.
I don't think our national organizations should look at their goals as profit centers but should focus on the essential criteria you have stated and cooperate with the other organizations in achieving these goals. Division in efforts does not create a strong outcome in the results we all feel should be instituted.


:cheers: Jerry

[Jo]

If there was one national organization would it have more members than the seperate organizations combined and therefore more money going into furthering Opticianry? I am just wondering if folks, especially younger Opticians, are faced with so many options, each wanting a good chunck of change, that they give up and decide not to join any.

[CuriousCat]

If that were the case, there would be only one organization representing Optometry and one representing Ophthalmology. My reality is that it just won't happen.

I'm going to refer back to Homer's thread on "beer can economics" from some months ago. As Opticians, we need to set our priorities and get busy.

[MVEYES]

I am having a hard time giving up on this issue. I still think with some compromise in both autonomy and monetary that we could have a unified organization with sub groups supporting and independent. Business corporations due this all the time and are sucessful with the concept. We need to start thinking of this unity as a business. Create a plan with purpose and direction for each of the members of the unified group and work out the problems diplomatically. You are right that there are other organizations within Optometry and Ophthalmology that function with different missions but they all support the profession and are ancillary to the parent organization in that they share membership. Our organizational structure is so factioned that we can't achieve the goals we are seeking due to lack of resources in money and manpower.

:) :cheers: Jerry

[CuriousCat]

Jerry,
I don't believe that they are unified under one parent organization. They have separate conferences and publications, separate dues and administrative staffs.

I understand your reluctance to give up on this idea, but our time, talent and cash need to focus on the task at hand, and I believe that task is to re-organize OAA and move the profession forward legislatively and in the eyes and minds of the consumer.

[MVEYES]

You're right but don't you think we could get support at least monetarily from, lets say NAO or CLSA on education legislation that OAA is fighting for? NAO seems to be less willing to even work with state associations in providing education assistance. I found that CLSA was very helpful in securing speakers and possibly getting grant money for our convention education program.



:) Jerry

[CuriousCat]

In my opinion, one of the fiercest battles that OAA will need to fight is it's past arrogance. They did not play well with others and, unfortunately what goes around comes around.
Other organizations are slow to help, if at all, with any projects that should be handled by OAA. We need to help OAA stand on it's own two feet, before any organization is willing to make a significant financial commitment. These other organization cannot afford a weak partner.

[MVEYES]

I am somewhat ignorant about the controlling bodies on these boards. I do know some of the people and know that they belong to some of the other respective organizations. Could those in the membership of multiple organizations put pressure on these boards to act in a unified manner? I'm not trying to take the focus off of OAA and its restructuring but I am wandering if we can work coincidentally on other issues like degrees of unification between these organizations.


Jerry

[CuriousCat]

Why can't we all just get along? Well, because we're Opticians and to our everlasting disgrace, we often behave like crabs in a bucket...crawling all over each other to get to the top.

OAA is getting significant help from the ABO/NCLE, however, no one else is going to help us get out of the hole we dug. We have to do that ourselves. I didn't help dig the hole, but I'm sure not going to sit at the bottom and wait for help. A significant group of state leaders in Charleston showed that they were willing and ready to work and they deserve the full support of the profession they work to advance.

But, the fact remains, we're going to have to do this ourselves!

[Jo]

I know we have had quite a few threads about needing a strong national optician's association. Regardless of what it sounds like at times, the general concensus is that the OAA should be and will be that organization. Some of us feel there is still work to be done before the OAA can assume that role but the only way to get that work done is if Opticians join the OAA. In light of some of the comments that have been posted here, it is probably a good time to let folks know where they can find info about OAA membership.

• OAA Home Page
• Join the OAA
• OAA Benefits
• About the OAA

Unfortunately, as some of my fellow OptiBoarders can verify, I have no reason to be biased in favor of the OAA. These are just my opinions and I will be following my own advice as soon as possible. Promise. :)

[Cindy Hamlin]

"An OAA survey indicated that only 17% of opticians practicing in the United States have attended one of these 2-year programs."


It is amazing to me with the number of licensed states in the US that there are only 17% that have attended 2-year programs. Is that only the associates degree or does it include apprenticeship programs, Jerry?

[MVEYES]

I believe it was the 2 year associate programs from the refrence prior to the statement. Licensure in our state mandates 2 year apprenticeship or 2 year associate program and then passing the ABO/NCLE. The apprenticeship must be under the supervision of a licensed Optician or Optometrist or Ophthalmologist.


:D Jerry