Good question. The AOA has done a lot of work for optometry especially the political aspect of it. Where would optometry be today if they didn't push for therapeutics?
You have a valid point in mentioning that the AOA has helped optometry's mission in the past. I don't think anyone would argue otherwise. The problem is not a lack of recognition for what they have done, it's the strong opposition by most ODs to what the AOA is doing
now. The AOA leadership has steered itself, on behalf of optometry, down a road that is way off the path we should be on. The profession is becoming further and further divided. If you take the time to really investigate the problem, looking at both sides of the issue objectively, I don't see how any rational person could come to anything other than the conclusion that the AOA is backing corporate optometry. The logos plastered all over their site tell a quiet, but clear story. The AOA is padding its wallet with corporate money and they're having to scratch the backs of those who are scratching theirs. It is unreasonable to expect practicing ODs to give their hard-earned money to an organization that is not acting in their best interest. I don't want to see the AOA dissolved, I'd like to see it find new leadership - leadership that can actually steer the profession back on course. That means away from nonsense BC issues. It also means finding some legal way to curb the rampant cancerous growth of new schools and more ODs. I'm sick and tired of hearing the excuse "Well, our hands are tied due to anti-trust issues...." The AOCLE has the authority to set higher standards for optometric education - effectively squashing new programs before they could even start. Has the AOA/AOCELE done that? Nope. My money is going to the AOS until the AOA pulls their heads out of their collective arses.
What's worse? An AOA that wants to test ODs for competency and slow to adapt to the oversupply of ODs OR no AOA at all with physician assistants/opticians/nurses start doing eye examinations. Target/Walmart/Lenscrafters will terminate all you corporate ODs leases because they don't need you anymore!!
This will almost certainly never happen. Refracting opticians are far more likely to move in and take over those leases once they get refracting privilages, and they will. No PA in their right mind would take a lease at a box store since the income they will generate there will almost certainly be less than what they could make at an employed position. I'm not worried about PAs - they have much better things to do than optometry.
Please don't tell me the AOS can do what the AOA can do. As much as I want the AOS to succeed, they just don't have the groundwork. Even the AOS has recommended all its members still be part of the AOA.
My decision to join the AOS and quit the AOA is more of a protest than anything else. I agree that the AOS does not have the infrastructure that the AOA has. Perhaps the AOA will get the message when their membership is surpassed by the tiny AOS. If you just keep dumping your money into the AOA pipeline because you fear what will happen without them, you're just feeding the beast. Starve it, make it change, and maybe things will get better.
You get what you ask for. Countdown to the AOA's bankruptcy aka you need a new job.
Right now, the actions of the AOA are making harder for ODs to get hired, not easier. Everything they're doing is placing another obstacle in front of practicing ODs. When they decide to change direction, I'll be back, but not before they admit their mistakes, change leadership, and start looking out for all of us.
