SOCIAL

  THE WAY I SEE IT

LOOK TO YOUR LEGACY

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO SHAPE THE PROFESSION’S FUTURE

MARC BLOOMENSTEIN

THIS IS is going to sound somewhat morbid - or a little depressing - but have you given any thought to what your epitaph will read? More to the point, have you thought about how you want to be remembered? If you haven't given it much thought, let me share some quips from Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), of "Parks and Recreation." Ron once said, "Honor: If you need it defined, you don't have it." Also, "I believe luck is a concept created by the weak to explain their failures." I actually practice by some of this character's wisdom. For example: "Before I do anything I ask myself, 'would an idiot do that?' and if the answer is yes, I don't do it."

COMRADES

In the first half of 2016, we lost some very inspiring individuals. What they stood for and their lead-by-example attitudes define their legacies. I can say "Ali" or "Prince" and you would know exactly who I was referring to. These names conjure ideas of individualism, creativity, mastery and humanitarianism. The ideals they lived by are recorded and will be remembered. Not for a millisecond am I stating that I have the aptitude - or an ounce of the talent - these two shared. However, I am a proud member of a profession that is shaping its own legacy. I, as are you, am a cog in this wheel that turns optometry and, more importantly, defines what and who we are.

Larry Alexander was a great example. A man who pushed our limits, was never content with the status quo and was always willing to help us (O.D.s) reinvent ourselves. Larry will be missed, and yet, I know his legacy will not be forgotten. Optometry owes it to him and other pioneers to carry on this legacy, one that does not simply define us as glorified refractionists.

SHAPING OUR LEGACY

Technology is changing the landscape of optometry. There is a double edge to these advancements. Today, we have real time, accurate measurements; topographies; integrated instruments; digital pictures; and refractions within a tenth of a diopter - all in the snap of a finger. This is great, and yet, as Einstein noted, "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." There are now automated lanes that can provide examinations, derive refractions, test phorias, measure pressure and image the posterior pole, but - at least for now - it still takes a Homo sapien present to interpret the data.

This is not going to slow down. And we are just as likely to look to advancements, such as driverless cars, while also lamenting when it seems to infringe on our profession. We can weep all we want. Yet, I take something Steve Jobs said to heart: "Technology is nothing. What's important is that you have a faith in the people, that they're basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they'll do wonderful things with them."

We are the people of our profession. Each and every time you walk into a lane to have a patient encounter, you are contributing to the future of "us," optometry and our legacy. Evolution is our greatest professional strength; we have adapted like the Peppered Moth, changing our colors and never ceasing to exist.

Our legacy needs to continue evolving. So, define, diagnose, treat, be proactive, be preventive and interact on a human level that is beyond the capabilities of automated machines. Don't fight the technology; embrace the advancements and enhance your skills managing ocular conditions. And listen to the words of pioneers, such as Ron Swanson, "Never half a** two things, whole a** one thing." So, go whole a** that thing we do: optometry. 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. Email him at mbloomenstein@gmail.com, or visit tinyurl.com/OMcomment to comment on this article.