A PARAOPTOMETRIC VIEW: Paraoptometry has a history of vision

摘要

The recognition of competent staff in the optometric office has been one of the goals of the American Optometric Association (AOA). The current paraoptometric certification program through the AOA Commission on Paraoptometric Certification is the result of almost 30 years of efforts to reach that goal. The road that led the "girl at the front desk" to the optometric assistant to the certified paraoptometric, certified paraoptometric assistant, and certified paraoptometric technician has a long history that established a credible program with standards to recognize the paraoptometric's knowledge and skill level. In 1972, the AOA established the AOA Registry which is assigned the responsibility of education, instruction, and evaluation for the optometric assistant to the employing AOA member optometrist. The doctor was required to verify the employment of an optometric assistant as well as the proficiency of the Registry applicant in at least 4 of the 7 categories, which included: 1. Receptionist, office, and secretarial work; 2. Optometric laboratory activities, such as frame adjustments; 3. Visual training and/or orthoptics; 4. Dispensing; 5. Contact lens instruction or modification; 6. Visual field testing and recording; 7. Visual skills recording.