Irving Bennett, former publisher and editor of OM, was a force in optometry

Irving Bennett, O.D., was a driving force in optometry and Optometric Management. His 45 years of practice were a model for private practitioners. He will be remembered for his untiring spirit and many contributions to optometry, including pioneering efforts in practice management awareness and education, efforts that he began in the 1960s. At the time, it was conventional wisdom “that doing business was something professionals did not do!” Dr. Bennett recounted in OM’s September 2015 (50th anniversary) issue.

As editor of Optometry-Journal of American Optometric Association, Dr. Bennett wrote an editorial suggesting that optometric college curricula change to include courses on practice and business management. This editorial became the inspiration for OM, which was founded in 1965. Through his leadership, Dr. Bennett ensured OM kept its fingers on the pulse of the profession and elevated the role of business education in optometry.

Highlights of his accomplishments, spanning from optometry to politics, to family, can be found in “Leading Off” (p.10), and online at bit.ly/3hJEYBs . His passion for the profession, where he advocated for a greater role for optometry within health care, and his willingness to help others continue to be an inspiration. As his son, Dr. Donald Bennett writes, “He was an amazing man, husband and father.”

PRACTICING MEDICAL OPTOMETRY

In the October issue of OM we present “Practicing Medical Optometry: Diabetes,” our final PMO section of 2020. In the introduction (p.17), Chris Wroten, O.D., provides the “why” for the PMO: “There is likely no greater opportunity. . . to have such a profound impact on patient morbidity and mortality than with diabetes.”

One of the easiest ways to become involved is to examine diabetic patients for signs of diabetic eye disease, writes Zachary S. McCarty, O.D. In addition to diagnostic tools, Dr. McCarty discusses criteria for diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, beginning on p.20. Interpreting diagnostic data, timely referrals, patient education and staying up-to-date on treatments are all ways to play a significant role in patient care, write Drs. Mohammed Rafieetary and Jessica Haynes (p.26).

Peter J. Cass, O.D., concludes the PMO section (p.30) with a discussion of five steps optometrists can take that can ultimately benefit patients who have diabetes and one’s practice. OM