Important Optometric Milestones
Hall of Fame Inductees Voice Their Opinions

The National Optometry Hall of Fame celebrated the work of its 2004 inductees in a ceremony held during the EastWest Eye Conference in Cleveland. The inductees � Jimmy Barlett, O.D., D.O.S., Sc.D.; Anthony J. Adams, O.D., Ph.D.; Irving Bennett, O.D.; Melvin D. Wolfberg, O.D.; Joan Exford, O.D. and Frank Brazelton, O.D. (inducted posthumously) � were acknowledged not only for past accomplishments but for their foresight and abilities as leaders in a continually evolving field.

OM caught up with the to see what they consider the most significant development in optometry during their careers. Here�s what they had to say:

�The most significant development in optometry during my 30+ years in the field has been the profession�s embracing the concept of �primary eye care,�� says Jimmy D. Bartlett, O.D. �When I entered the profession in 1970, optometry was essentially a �drugless� profession (and quite proud of it)! Now, in 2004, optometrists in every state use medications to both diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions and disease of the eye.� According to Dr. Bartlett, the optometrist in many healthcare plans today is truly the �gatekeeper� and provides definitive eye and vision care for the vast majority of his patients. He adds that, �In the early 1970s, the philosophy in optometry regarding ocular disease was to �detect and refer� it to the ophthalmologist. Today, the philosophy is to �diagnose and treat� it.�

Says Anthony J. Adams, O.D., Ph.D., professor and dean emeritus at the University of California Berkeley School of Optometry, �In the last 40 years, optometry has expanded its scope from vision function and optics, without the aid of diagnostic or treatment drugs or invasive procedures, to become the primary eye/vision care source for the vast majority of society.� He says that optometry recognizes that its impressive history is inspirational to new generations of optometrists and that recognizing exceptional individual contributions also inspires. �The National Hall of Fame reflects this,� he adds. �I am most honored to be elected to it.�

Irving Bennett, O.D., professor of Business Practice Management at The Pennsylvania College of Optometry considers this topic complicated to answer because �there is no most significant development; instead there are a multitude of changes in optometry�s rapid maturation process.� He believes that many optometrists (and others) have tangibly contributed to the maturation of the profession of optometry. �It�s kind that some are singled out for recognition of their contributions and accomplishments,� he says. �That being said, the Hall of Fame is a giant step in the right direction to acknowledge for history the deeds and achievements of those who had the vision to convert an organized trade to a full member of the healthcare community.�

The question is easy to answer, however, for Melvin D. Wolfberg, O.D. �From my perspective, the most significant development is namely the dramatic and revolutionary change in the way we practice optometry and the manner in which optometry delivers services to the public as an important and vital member of the health delivery system in the United States.� He comments that as long as optometry enhances and expands the services it provides to the public it serves, he has no trepidation about the future of his profession.

For Joan M. Exford, O.D., F.A.A.O., the most significant development has been the change in the scope of practice with the introduction first of diagnostic pharmaceutical agents and then therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, resulting in optometry becoming a primary care profession. �This change was critical to the vitality and viability of the profession,� she says. �It has allowed us to participate in the remarkable advances in technology over the past two decades and has allowed us to be recognized as comprehensive managed care providers.�

According to Dr. Exford, the challenge that optometry faces is to continue its traditional role of excellence in vision science research and the providing of vision care, while embracing the total scope of primary care. �Recognizing the [National Optometry Hall of Fame] inductees provides an historical perspective to the profession and encouragement for today�s optometrists by providing models for emulation and highlighting accomplishments across the varied spectrum of optometric opportunities. I am very honored to have become a member of the National Optometry Hall of Fame,� she says.