A look back and forward over the last 60 years
What was it like to be an optometrist 60 years ago? While I wasn’t there to experience it firsthand, I can imagine that the profession was vastly different. Limitations of the Past Back then, optometry was more labor intensive, with ODs relying primarily on tools, such as the phoropter. Remember: advanced technologies, such as retinal cameras, optical coherence tomography, and detailed visual field machines, were not yet available.
Additionally, scope of practice was more limited. Specifically, many optometrists were not permitted to dilate patients, or authorized to identify or treat conditions, such as glaucoma or basic eye emergencies, such as a corneal abrasion. Consequently, conditions, such as dry eye disease, were largely undiagnosed and unrecognized. Despite these limitations, a constant has remained unchanged: the optometrist’s pro-found joy from helping people see clearly. The ability to determine a patient’s prescription accurately and provide the needed glasses continues to be a true privilege.
60 Years Later Fast forward to 2025 and being an OD is more rewarding than ever. We have access to cutting-edge technology and evidence-based clinical research that guides our diagnosis and treatment decisions. These advancements allow us to spend more meaningful time with our patients, ensuring they enjoy excellent vision and eye health throughout their lives.
We are also empowered to educate patients on the importance of early detection and intervention,.
With all the progress made over the past 6 decades, I wonder how many practitioners still operate as if it’s the mid 1960s? How many are missing the opportunity to embrace technology, engage patients in holistic care, and emphasize prevention through nutrition and annual eye health evaluations? How many are failing to capitalize on practical practice management tips to ensure a successful practice?
Having practiced optometry for 30 years, I am continually inspired by the profession’s ability to detect a wide range of systemic diseases through ocular examinations. Technology enables us not only to provide reassurance but also to develop proactive care plans for our patients’ futures. I am deeply grateful to our industry partners who relentlessly innovate—from diagnostics and contact lenses, to frames, lenses, and pharmaceuticals—helping us halt the progression of sight-threatening diseases. Thank you, Optometric Management (OM) I also want to express my appreciation for this magazine. For 60 years, it has been instrumental in keeping ODs informed on business, politics, research, and practice management. Thank you to those who have shared their knowledge through OM, helping me to enhance the care I provide and build a successful practice.
Here’s to continuing the legacy of excellence—OM, keep up the fantastic work! OM
