History of Optometry Flashcards
True or False:
Optometrists are considered physicians
True
In the 13th century, what did the Italians do that had to do with optometry?
They started manufacturing lenses. They perfected glass making.
When did optometry begin?
Just over 100 years ago
Who started selling glasses in America for profit in Philadelphia and when? What did this represent?
In 1783, John Mcallister bought a bushel basket of glasses and started selling them. This represented the first time. This represented the first time optometry was seen in America.
Where were most of the lenses made before 1812?
Most lenses were made in Europe.
Why is the war of 1812 important for optometry?
Eyeglasses were not allowed to be shipped to the US from Europe, so WE STARTED MAKING OUR OWN.
When people bought glasses around the time of 1812, did they pay for your services? What exactly did the people pay for?
They paid for the materials, not the service. It was more of a trade.
What was the evolution of names from dispensing opticians to optometrists?
Dispensing optician, refracting optician, optometrists/ optometric optician
Who was James Prentice?
Was an immigrant who came in 1847. Father of Charles Prentice (father of optometry).
Why is Charles Prentice important? (8)
He is considered The Father of Modern Optometry.
- Organized the NY Optical Society
- Developed static and dynamic retinoscopy
- Prentice’s Rule
- Schematic Eye
- 16 laws related to cylindrical lenses
- First to measure the dioptric power of lenses
- Published Ophthalmic Lenses in 1886
In 1895, what happened to Charles Prentice?
He was threatened with jail time because he was charging money for his professional service.
In 1897, what did Charles Prentice do? Where did this take place?
He introduced the first bill to define optometry as refracting, dispensing, and related services. This took place in Pennslyvania.
What happened in 1901?
In 1901, Minnesota passed the first licensure law. This defined the scope of practice of Optometrists.
Who invented the opthalmoscope? When?
Von Helmholtz invented the ophthalmoscope in 1851
Who invented optotypes tests (visual acuity)? When?
Hermann Snellen in 1862
Who invented the retinoscope? When? What did this allow?
Cuignet, in 1873. This allowed optometrists to start to refract and examine patients.
Who was Andrew Cross? What did he believe?
Lived at the same time as Charles Prentice.
He believed that education was the key to the advancement of the profession, not legislation.
Who believed that education was the key to the advance of the profession, not legislation?
Andrew Cross
Who is the Father of Behavioral Optometry and said “Vision is a learned behavior”?
AM Skeffington
What did Irvin Borish do?
Irvin Borish defined the sequence of refraction wrote Clinical Refraction, and played a significant role in founding the Indiana University School of Optometry in 1951.
First university that provided coursework in optometry
Columbia University
What happened in 1915 that was important to optometry?
Pennslyvania Supreme Court ruled “optometry is a separate calling from medicine” and “not a minor branch of medicine”. Saying optometry is separated from medicine and is its own thing in healthcare.
This was a landmark ruling.
Who was Dr. Charles Sheard? What did he believe?
Father of the Four-Year Degree (not doctoral level)
Believed that the 4-year program would elevate optometry to a true profession.
He launched the program at THE Ohio State University.
What happened in 1922?
American Academy of Optometry was organized to encourage research and to improve the ethical scientific standing of optometry
What happened in 1923?
Pennsylvania College of Optometry awarded the first Doctor of Optometry degree
What was written in 1937?
“Optometry on Trial” published in Reader’s Digest
What was bill was introduced to Pennslyvania in 1940?
Bill introduced in PA to define scope as “that taught in optometry schools”. Did not pass
What happened during the time period between 1941 and 1960 that has to do with the development of optometry?
Optometry expanded growth in the profession by getting involved with the military.
Professional Advancement, military service/commissions, ethics and inter-professional relations
US Naval Reserves - commissions 1st optometrist as an officer
What was the first branch to commission optometrists as an officer?
US Naval Reserves
What branch of the military was the second branch to adopt optometrists as an officer? When?
Army; 1947
What bill was introduced in 1944? When did it pass and by who? What happened to the bill after that?
“Optometry Corps” bill; passed in 1945 by the House/Senate.
The bill was VETOED by President Truman
When was the National Board of Examiners in Optometry created? What was their goal?
1951; Their goal was to make sure that all doctors have certain MINIMAL competence regardless of school attended.
What happened during the time frame between 1961-1970?
Optometrists had a new role in health care.
-Bill was authorized to let optometrists do diagnostic pharmaceuticals.
What was introduced to Pennslyvania in 1961? Did it pass?
A bill that authorizes diagnostic pharmaceuticals. It did NOT PASS
When Medicare and Medicaid were enacted in 1965, what did that do for optometrists?
Nothing. Optometrists were discriminated against.
Optometrists could not be paid but ophthalmologists could.
Who is Dr. Norman Haffner and why is he important?
He organized a conference in 1968 called “The Laguardia Conference”. At the conference, he made a plan to shift from optometry being a refractive profession to a therapeutic profession. He laid the foundation for modern primacy care optometry
What was the first state to be able to use DPAs (dilating drops)? When?
In 1971, RHODE ISLAND was the first state to use dilating drops
What state first introduced TPA laws? When?
North Carolina in 1973.
What was the first state to pass TPA laws? When? (Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents)
West Virginia in 1976
What two events happened in 1976 for optometry?
- West Virginia first used Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents (TPA)
- Congress established the VA Optometry Service
What did US supreme court allow professionals to utilize in 1977?
“truthful advertising”—Bates v. Arizona State Bar
When did US Congress recognize optometric coverage under Medicare for aphakic patients?
1981
What happened in 1986? ***
US Government (Medicare + Medicaid) recognized optometrists as a physician and allowed for bill parity. - Optometrists were reimbursed the same amount as ophthalmologists from the insurance.
WE BECAME FULLY A PART OF MEDICARE SERVICES.
What was the first state to create a law authorizing the use of lasers by ODs? When?
Oklahoma in 1998
What is the order of states that allow optometrists to use lasers and when did each state become laser certified? (7)
Oklahoma; 1998 Kentucky; 2011 Louisiana; 2014 Alaska; 2017 Arkansas; 2019 Mississippi; 2021 Wyoming; 2021
When was the American Board of Optometry (ABO) created?
2009
When was first notation of optometry as a Primary Health Care discipline by a branch of the Federal Government
2010
When and why was the ACA important for optometry?
2010;
Optometry was now listed as one of the PRIMARY health care professions.
- Allows optometrists to funds used for primary care services.
- Primary health centers now have funds to hire optometrists, unlike before.
What is Harkin amendment?
first federal provider non-discrimination standards
