Continuing Education in Eye Care: Why Bother?
So you’ve graduated, passed your boards, and you’re now a fully qualified optometrist—congrats! But hang on a sec, the learning isn’t over. Not by a long shot.
Why? Because in the world of Eye Care, standing still is moving backward. This article is all about why you absolutely should care about continuing education.
Significance of Continuing Education in Optometry
Healthcare isn’t static, it’s a living and breathing field. New eye conditions crop up, innovative treatments get discovered, and cool gadgets make diagnoses a breeze. Continuing education keeps you in the loop and at the top of your game.
And staying up to date is a must in Eye Care, not a maybe. Remember that fancy OPTOS or OCT your clinic just bought? You’ll need to know how to use it. And no, winging it isn’t an option. New tech demands new skills. Continuing education is how you get them.
And let’s not forget about license renewals. You want to keep practicing, right? Those required educational credits aren’t going to earn themselves. Ignore them, and you’ll be dusting off your resumé sooner than you’d like.
So continuing education is not only your ticket to better patient care, cool tech know-how but even job security in a field that’s always changing and just keeps getting better.
Now you’re probably convinced that you need to apply to that new course you’re thinking about or exhibit you’ve been putting off to a later date.
Let’s talk about the different types of continuing education for Optometrists.
Types of Continuing Education for Optometrists
You don’t have to sit through stuffy lectures to get your continuing education credits. There are a ton of options, and there’s something for every learning style. We’re talking workshops, online courses, and even glitzy conferences in far-flung locations (hello, tax-deductible vacation!).
Take your pick!
Join Workshops
Hands-on, and straight to the point. Workshops are your go-to if you want to dive deep into a specific topic. Want to master the latest glaucoma treatment? There’s a workshop for that. What about learning new patient management software? Yup, workshops cover that too.
You can view different workshops at the American Academy of Optometry or the Optometry Center for Vision Therapy.
Apply to Online Courses
If you want something more convenient, imagine being in your PJs with a cup of coffee in hand—does education get any better than that? Online courses offer flexibility, allowing you to fit learning around your busy schedule. Whether it’s a short module on lens fitting or a detailed course on retina health, the Internet has got you covered.
You can start looking into online courses at American Optometric Association (AOA) or search around Facebook Optometry groups that offer it.
Go to Conferences
Ah, the grand stage of them all! Conferences are where you get to hear the latest buzz directly from industry leaders. You’ll learn, you’ll network, and let’s be honest, you’ll also enjoy the free swag from various booths. It’s like a work-party combo!
Still a few months away from 2024, here’s a 2023 Optometry Events Calendar from Review of Optometry. AOA and World of Optometry also have upcoming events you can view on their page.
Accreditation and Licensing
So you might be asking, “How many CE credits do I actually need?” Good question. The answer varies by state, but you can generally expect to need somewhere between 15 to 50 hours of continuing education every one to two years to renew your license. These aren’t just any random hours; they need to be approved courses that meet certain standards.
To find out the specifics, you’ll need to check your state’s Optometry board website. They’ll list out everything you need to know, from the number of credits required to what types of courses are eligible. Trust me, you don’t want to find out last minute that the course you took doesn’t count.
So, are all credits created equal?
Let’s clear the air first, are all credits created equal?
Not quite. Some states require a portion of your credits to be in specific areas like pharmacology or glaucoma management. Others may require you to take live courses instead of online ones for certain credits. In other words, not all credits are interchangeable, so make sure to check which you need to pivot to where you want your career to be.
But who makes the rules?
You’ve probably seen those long acronyms next to courses like “ABO-approved” or “ACOE-certified.” They’re not just alphabet soup; they mean something. Here’s a quick rundown:
- ABO (American Board of Optometry): These are the big kahunas who certify optometrists. If you see a course with their stamp of approval, you can bet it’s high-quality.
- ACOE (Accreditation Council on Optometric Education): Another heavy-hitter, ACOE accredits optometric educational institutions and programs. A nod from them means the course you’re eyeing (pun intended) is worth your time.
Make sure to look for these stamps of approval when you’re shopping for courses. They’re your guarantee that the course will not only boost your skills but also keep you in the clear when it’s time to renew your license.
Finding Quality Continuing Education Opportunities
If you’re decided to take more extra CE credits but don’t know where to start looking, here are some gold-standard programs you can look through the internet. They’re trusted corners specifically for Optometrists.
- Optometry’s Meeting®: An annual event offering a plethora of CE opportunities.
- EyeWire+: Not just for news—this platform regularly features upcoming accredited CE events.
- AAOAcademy: Known to many as the top meeting for high-quality CE. They offer symposia, posters, workshops and more
- Optometric Education: A resource hub loaded with CE opportunities. If it’s happening in the Optometry world, you’ll find it here.
- American Optometric Association (AOA): They’re more than an association; they’re a beacon for continuing education. Check out their events calendar.
- State Optometric Associations: Don’t forget local associations; they often have a pulse on state-specific requirements.
- ARVO: Known to be where the latest and greatest in eye and vision research is presented. They cater to both Ophthalmology and Optometry meeting, usually every spring.
Continuing Education Requirements for Optometrists By State
To save you the trouble of searching endlessly on the internet, here’s the ARBO Website Listing CE Requirements link you can use to see the CE requirements for most regulatory boards not just in the US but also in Canada.
Not sure what CE to Prioritize?
Ever find yourself scrolling through a sea of CE courses, completely overwhelmed? You’re not alone. With so many options, how do you even begin to decide what’s crucial for your career? Whether you’re a fresh graduate or a seasoned pro considering a specialty change, figuring out which CE courses to take can feel like solving a Rubik’s Cube (unless you’re good at that, well I’m not.)
Or maybe you’re eyeing for a raise, who doesn’t like a bigger paycheck, right? If you’re looking to negotiate a raise, the right CE courses can give you the leverage you need.
To save you the heavy thinking and guess work, we offer free consultation for the long game.
We can help you identify courses that not only boost your skill set but also your market value. From plotting your CE path for the next few years to helping you stay ahead of industry trends, we provide a comprehensive consultation to set you up for long-term success.
While we’re at it, we can even match you with an employer of your dreams. Sounds fun?
