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Paraoptometric Resources and Certification Information
Upcoming AOA EyeLearn event -
Wednesday, Feb. 28, for Review of Dry Eye Disease, presented by Rodolfo Rodriguez, O.D.
Dry Eye Disease (DED) is one of the most common conditions that presents to an optometric practice. This lecture aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this condition, including its cause, symptoms, diagnosis and medical management options. The lecture will also:
- Review the anatomy and physiology of the tear film and the lacrimal functional unit
- Consider the various factors that contribute to DED, such as age, systemic conditions and medications
- Delve into the symptoms
- Discuss the different diagnostic techniques and tools used to evaluated DED
- Explore the multifaceted management approaches, concentrating on medical management, including new medications
By the end of the lecture, paraoptometric participants will have a comprehensive understanding of DED, enabling them to aid the optometrist to provide relief to patients suffering from DED and improve patients’ quality of life.
ENROLL NOW to add this webinar session to your Upcoming Webinars in AOA EyeLearn.
The NJSOP celebrates paraoptometric teams, our valuable allied health professionals who assist doctors of optometry in providing their highest level of vision care to patients. Front office procedures, chair-side assistance, pre-testing, contact lens instruction, frame styling and fitting, billing/coding, office management and vision therapy are just a few of the many duties paraoptometrics perform while working directly with an optometric physician.
Click the What is a Paraoptometric? flyer to learn more.
Click here to learn more about the AOA Education Center .
Click here to learn more about the AOA Optometric Surgical Assisting for the Paraoptometric Technician - Workshop.
Click here to learn about the AOA Para Surgical Assisting Program Overview (Micro-Credential).
September is Paraoptometric Appreciation Month
Mark your calendar each year!
AOA Certification
Paraoptometric certification is a program developed by a respected panel of American Optometric Association (AOA) certified paraoptometrics and doctors of optometry, created to encourage continuing education and knowledge as the field of optometric assisting grows. Click here to read more about certification and renewal.
Becoming a member of the AOA Paraoptometric Section
AOA member doctors can enroll their paraoptometric staff in the AOA's Paraoptometric Resource Center (PRC) as an AOA associate member. This is a free member benefit for all of your para staff members.
This membership allows Para staff access to all current PRC member benefits and services. Again, this program comes at no cost to the paraoptometric and no cost to the AOA member doctor. Membership is renewed automatically every year, as long as the Para is still with the AOA doctor.
To enroll paraoptometric staff as AOA Associate members, just follow these simple steps:
- Make sure you have the legal name of the staff member (as it appears on their driver's license), their date of birth, and an email address unique to each staff person;
- Head to http://www.aoa.org and hover over the 'Optometrists' tab at the top of the page and click on the 'My Profile/My AOA' selection;
- Click the 'Manage Staff' tab;
- Enter information for each non-optometrist staff member you wish to enroll.
Once you've enrolled your staff as AOA Paraoptometric Resource Members they will automatically be registered as NJSOP paraoptometric members!
AOA Paraoptometric Resources
Want to Learn More?
If you have questions, please reach out to our NJSOP Paraoptometric leaders Dr. Maria Richman or Mrs. Erlinda Rodriguez, CPO.
The NJSOP is thrilled to share that Mrs. Rodriguez was a 2023 winner of the AOA Paraoptometric Lifetime Achievement Award!
The NJSOP is fortunate to possess a membership that passionately advocates for paraoptometric education, actively participates in paraoptometric member recruitment, and provides valuable paraoptometric resources here in New Jersey!
