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  the way i see it

The ABCs of Optometry

Must we abbreviate everything?

MARC R. BLOOMENSTEIN, O.D., F.A.A.O.

What’s old is new again. It’s true. We seem to see trends that just keep repeating themselves with Sisyphean results.

The latest craze in mobile phones is a great example. Back in the ’90s, when that brick with a non-retractable antenna was considered state of the art, the millennium said, “We want smaller.”(Think Will Ferrell’s tiny phone on SNL.) Yet, just last month, Apple introduced the new iPhone 6 . . . with a bigger screen. I guess big is back (again).

Is smaller better?

However, there is still a place where we continue to strive to make things smaller. Hashtags, text messages and, for some reason, the crazy need to create acronyms and abbreviate everything. It’s all nonsense that has me SMH (shaking me head). Honestly, I cannot keep up with the lingo and, at times, I just nod in agreement when I don’t even know what is being said.

For example, in our industry, “SiHy” has been tossed around for quite a while. Honestly, I thought it was a website for those who enjoy Cosplay (look it up). My ignorance as to the definitive nature of the abbreviation creates a feeling of insecurity that, frankly, I don’t like. In fact, not that long ago, I was talking with my colleague, “KR,” and I was reading about “UPP.” KR must have seen my tiny brain milling and asked, “Don’t you know what UPP means?” Well, I do now.

Mass confusion

This shortening of words and phrases can be confusing, especially when we speak about the ORA. Oh, yes; now you are the one with the look of befuddlement. For me, the ORA (Ocular Response Analyzer) is that product that Reichert brought to market to measure corneal hysteresis. However, it also is the name WaveTec (Alcon) adopted for its in vitro cataract surgical measuring device. Yet, not to be outdone, it is also the name of the award that I want the AOA — never to be confused or associated with the AADO or TOS — to bestow upon me sooner rather than later.

This alphabet soup gets even murkier when we throw in associations, such as the OCRT, OSG, OSSO, TFOS, ONS, TOA, etc. But we don’t stop there! Our cognitive limits are tested with other industry acronyms. We abbreviate tests, such as HRT and OCT, what they measure (the ON or the ILM) and what we are looking for (CME, VMT, PPRD or ERM). And if we’re confused, how do you think patients feel? “Mr. Smith, your IOP is high because you have NAG. So, let’s get on a PGA. No, you should not start golfing — it’s a drop.”

Cut it out

All of this gives me a headache, in which case I feel that I should go lie down or take an NSAID.

I really don’t think that the founding fathers thought a thesaurus would be necessary to practice when they designed the optometric profession. So, IMO (in my opinion), maybe we should ease up on the abbreviations and spell — and sound — things out. Then again, #LTD. OM

DR. BLOOMENSTEIN CURRENTLY PRACTICES AT SCHWARTZ LASER EYE CENTER IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. HE IS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE OPTOMETRIC COUNCIL ON REFRACTIVE TECHNOLOGY. E-MAIL HIM AT MBLOOMESTEIN@GMAIL.COM.