Opticians Handbook

SUN, Protect · Prescribe · Present, is a three-part educational series, from the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Opticians Association of America (OAA), supported by an educational grant from Luxottica and by the Vision Council. Visit us  at www.sunpresent.com).

This project defines the critical need for Outdoor Eyewear that can protect and prevent damage to the eye caused by ultraviolet (UV) and high-energy visible (HEV) radiation. At 20/20 Magazine and the Opticianry Study Center we invite you to join us to make SUN a definitive program that unites the professions to actively prescribe and present the products that protect American eyes outdoors. As RW Young PhD suggests, "a20-year delay (in the effects of UV and HEV) would practically eliminate these diseases as significant causes of visual impairment in the United States." RW Young PhD, titled "Sunlight and Age-Related Eye Disease, Journal of the National Medical Association, 1992, 84:353-358)

OVERVIEW

In a series of print, online and live events, the SUN Initiative will deliver three continuing education courses within the themes Protect · Prescribe · Present.

Protect, Part 1, debuted in the recent Mar 15^th issue of 20/20 Magazine. It describes the eye problems and health issues encountered by Americans as a result of UV and HEV exposure. Protect delivers a set of actionable steps for the doctor, optician and staff to ensure that all patients can understand the issues and the importance of quality outdoor eyewear. In addition, this part clearly defines the required components of quality outdoor eyewear products i.e., frames (by design) and lenses (by material and treatment) that deliver the best protection. Protect is also like a tonic for the practice i.e., the increased use of quality sunwear can improve and protect the health of every office.

Read the AOA newsletter for a description of the OD program. See 20/20 Magazine for the print versions of each of the three ABO approved courses. Later this month, visit AOA.org and OAA.org for the online versions of the courses.

Want to know more, visit the SUNWEAR folder and wander through the variety of materials to know best efforts to protect patients/customers from the effects of UV and HEV radiation. 

Mark