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 Useful Consumer Links Importance of Regular Eye Exams Vision Conditions Infant Vision Preschool Vision School-Age Children Toys, Games and Your Child's Vision Resources for Low-Income Families    |
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of Their Most Valued Sense: Eyesight General Consumer InformationWhat Does a Doctor of Optometry Do?What Qualifications Do Doctors Of Optometry Have? Who Oversees or Regulates Optometrists In Nebraska? NOA's Contact Lens Prescription Release Policy NOA Policy Statement On School Vision Evaluations Nebraska's State Law Requiring Vision Evaluations for Students Entering School What Does a Doctor of Optometry Do?A Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) in Nebraska is licensed to provide a broad range of primary eye care services.Optometrists examine the internal and external structure of the eye to diagnose eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal disorders; systemic diseases like hypertension and diabetes; and vision conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Optometrists test to determine the patient's ability to focus and coordinate the eyes and to judge depth and see colors accurately. Optometrists prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, low vision aids, and vision therapy. Optometrists prescribe medications to treat eye diseases, including oral and topical pharmaceutical agents that relieve pain, reduce swelling, and treat infections. As primary eye care providers, optometrists are an integral part of the patient's health care team and serve as an entry point into the health care system for many people. They are skilled in the co-management of care that affects eye health and vision and serve as an excellent source of referral to other health care providers. Top of Page What Qualifications Do Doctors Of Optometry Have?A Doctor of Optometry must complete four years of specialized, post-college graduate education and training at an accredited College of Optometry and must pass a standardized licensing examination approved by the State of Nebraska. The four-year post-graduate curriculum is concentrated solely on eye and vision health with a rigorous combination of classroom and clinical experience. Students receive a thorough understanding of the human health system and its inter-relationships with the eyes, including the systemic interactions and implications of pharmaceutical agents used in the practice of optometry.After licensure, optometrists must complete a minimum of 16 hours of approved continuing education each year in order to maintain their license. This continuing education assures that ODs are always current on the latest, most effective, and safest ways to care for their patients. Top of Page Who Oversees or Regulates Optometrists In Nebraska?Nebraska optometrists are regulated by the State Board of Optometry. Members of the Board of Optometry are appointed by the Governor. More information about the Board is available from:Nebraska Health & Human Services System Vonda Apking Credentialing Coordinator Regulation & Licensure Division Board of Optometry P. O. Box 94986 Lincoln, NE 68509-4986 Phone: 402/471-4929 Fax: 402/471-3577 Email: vonda.apking@hhss.state.ne.us Top of Page NOA's Contact Lens Prescription Release PolicyIt is the policy of the Nebraska Optometric Association that doctors should comply with existing state and federal laws and in so doing should offer a contact lens prescription to patients upon completion of the fitting process and payment for services, or upon patient request. Doctors should verify valid prescriptions when requested to do so by companies who are acting on behalf of patients, and are encouraged to seek written verification that the patient has authorized the company to request the information. In the interests of public health and patient safety, doctors should not release, authorize or validate prescriptions which are expired or otherwise invalid, but should respond in a timely manner to acknowledge the non-verification of prescriptions.Top of Page NOA Policy Statement On School Vision EvaluationsThe Nebraska Optometric Association fully endorses and supports the state's statutory requirement for children to receive a visual evaluation before entry into the beginner grade (Nebraska Revised Statute 79-214). This required evaluation consists of testing for amblyopia, strabismus, internal and external eye health, and testing sufficient to determine visual acuity. The Association understands that the intent of the law is to provide a more comprehensive visual evaluation than most children had previously been receiving.Although the statute allows parents or guardians to sign a written waiver of the required evaluation, the Association encourages and recommends that all children are tested, including those who may need to take advantage of resources for free or reduced-cost services. Optometrists--through their clinical education, training, experience, and broad geographic distribution--are the best option for providing effective primary eye and vision services to children in Nebraska. The Association encourages optometrists to follow the Optometric Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination when conducting the vision evaluations required by Nebraska law. The guidelines describe appropriate examination procedures for evaluation of the eye health and vision status of children to reduce the risk of vision loss and facilitate normal visual development. They contain recommendations for timely diagnosis, intervention, and, when necessary, consultation or referral for treatment by another health care provider. The Optometric Clinical Practice Guidelines outline examinations that include patient history and testing for visual acuity, refraction, binocular and accommodative function, ocular health. Professional judgment of the optometrist, patient history, symptoms, and findings may have significant impact on the nature and course of the examinations. Top of Page Nebraska's State Law Requiring Vision Evaluations for Students Entering SchoolLB 114School Vision Evaluation Resources for Low Income Families Sample Article for School Newsletters Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska's New Law Vision Report Card - Instructions Vision Report Card Professional Vision Report Top of Page NFCV Radio Ads"Their Best" Radio Ad - 60 Second (2007)"Through The Eyes" Radio Ad - 30 Second (2007) |
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Phone 402.474.7716 
Email: noa@assocoffice.net