The below conference recordings are available to watch and to receive 6 credits by registering at the link below.
OANJ Fall Virtual Conference 2022
AGENDA
The Dark Side of Contact Lenses – William Velardi Jr., OD
Our patients are under the misconception that wearing contact lenses is like wearing shoes, you slip them on and off you go, and replaces them when they wear out. For the vast majority of our patients it is just like that, effortless carefree and worry free. But for those few that do not “play-by-the-rules” and adhere to the correct wearing schedule or cleaning regimen, they become not only a big worry but a possible detriment to their vision. In this hour we will discuss the care and feeding of the basic contact lens, try and determine who, or what, is a fault when something does go wrong and what the potential consequences are when it does. While there are not very many things that can go wrong, if you have ever had a red eye while wearing contact lenses or seen anyone else with a contact lens related red eye, you know how painful and sight threatening some of these conditions can be.
The ABC’s of Fitting of Soft Contact Lenses – William Underwood, PhD, ABOM
This course will provide an overview of the soft contact lens fitting process from pre-fit evaluation to follow up care. Methods of selecting lens type and lens parameter s based on pre-fit findings and patient needs will be discussed. Videos of lens fit evaluation and troubleshooting will be presented
More Screen Time, More Protection, Less Reflection – Samantha Toth
Increased screen time means patients are affected by irritating blue-purple reflections of blue light blocking lenses when they see themselves on the screen during virtual meetings. Patients seek a clear lens alternative that offers a balance of protection, clarity and aesthetics to mitigate the potential challenges of digital light sources. This course discusses two sub-bands of blue light, its negative and positive impacts on our eyes & training on two types of blue blocking products available. It clarifies how each product works and how to properly educate patients on UV and blue light protection at important points of the patient journey.
Best Practices for VSP – EyeMed – DME Medicare Claims- Pamela Fritz
This two-hour seminar will discuss the insurance claims ins and outs for licensed Opticians in practices with and without physician oversight. Patient eligibility, plan coverage, benefit calculation, filing claims and avoiding an insurance audit will be covered in this course.
2022 OANJ Spring Conference
The below conference recordings are available to watch and to receive 6 credits by registering at the link below.
REGISTER HERE
Binocular Harmonization Technology
Presenter: Michael Gatti
This course teaches a new technology that manages the way that the two eyes work together in progressives. Called Binocular Harmonization Technology, it optimizes the design of both lenses, no matter the distance Rx, so that the eyes receive equal accommodative support. HOYA believes that this is the 1st lens technology that addresses the anisometropic prescription with a binocular solution.
It All Becomes Clear: The Self-Tinting Lens Opportunity
Presenter: Samantha Toth
Attendees will learn the fundamentals of how self-tinting lenses work, and learn how the latest generation self-tinting lens technology, as presented by PhotoFusion by Zeiss provides superior performance. Learners will also understand the effects of UV radiation on the eye, and the factors by which UV intensity in the atmosphere varies.
Advancements in Photochromic Technology: Solutions for Today's World Powered by Light – The Science Behind the Lens
Presented by: Herb Fletcher
Most people understand the basic functionality of photochromic lenses. What many people do not realize is that photochromic chemistry is a complex balance. New, more complex photochromic molecules and measurement methodologies are enabling new performance characteristics and advancements. This course will explore the chemistry that makes photochromics work; why consumers need and want light adaptive lenses; and technology breakthroughs which enabled new product offerings that appeal to all types of wearers.
Polarized Lenses-The Technology and Benefits
Presenter: Lis Quinn
This one hour seminar will discuss the nature and harmful effects of polarized light, how to protect your eyes by using polarized lenses, and how to recognize the innovative technologies that make the most advanced and intelligently designed polarized lenses. It will also go over the current state of the polarized lens market in the optical industry, and how you can increase your practice/store’s income by making polarized sunwear a more important part of your business.
Defy the Glare – NEW Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses
Presenter: Herb Fletcher
Different types of light create challenges to our vision. In very demanding light situations, such as very bright light or reflective glare, our vision can be compromised creating a poor experience. Exposure to these types of light situations can also amplify daily eye fatigue, contributing to associated symptoms such as dry eyes, itchy eyes, headache and eye strain. In the long term, repetitive exposure to intense light can create a cumulative effect and could have an impact on eye health. Transitions® XTRActive® Polarized™ lenses are uniquely designed to provide extra light protection for eyeglass wearers who are frequently exposed to bright light and reflective glare.
DRIVEWEAR: Accelerate your Sun Lens Business
Presented by: Herb Fletcher
Transitions Drivewear Sun Lenses: the only combination of photochromic and polarized technologies yielding a unique sun lens that allows the optimum light intensity to reach the eye, while blocking glare. Understand the benefits along with demographics. See how adding Drivewear sun lenses to your offerings will benefit the Practice.
13:33-1.43 New Jersey Continuing Education Requirements
The following is an excerpt from the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians statutes and regulations book. The complete text can be found online, but the online version is not entirely up to date. It should be noted that the minimum of three credits in contact lenses is only the minimum, you may acquire more then the three minimum contact lens credits during the biennial period and utilize them towards your twelve credit requirement.
You should also be aware that the Board can at any time request from any licensee verification of completion of this requirement and rumors have it that they will randomly be doing so on a regular basis.
Remember that only face to face classroom style courses are accepted. No internet or correspondence courses are allowed.
Always check with the Board to make certain the courses you are taking are approved. There have been reports that some of the courses that have been given by educators other then from the OANJ, which NJ Licensees have been attending have not been approved by the Board.
You, the licensee are responsible for knowing the validity of the course being taken.
If you are asked to submit your credits to the Board, only New Jersey credits will be accepted. ABO, NCLE, New York, Florida, etc. credits are not acceptable. Although in many cases New Jersey courses are accepted by these other Boards the reverse is not always true.
You may have noticed a wallet sized version of your license attached with your renewal certificate. Do not lose it or throw it away. This pocket sized certificate is said to become the new manditory identification tag, replacing all other various identification/name tags currently being used by licensees in the state.
Maintenance of Continuing Education Credits is Mandatory for All New Jersey Licensed Opticians
(a) An ophthalmic dispenser shall indicate on the license renewal form that he or she has completed the continuing education requirements as outlined in (b) below. Ophthalmic dispensers applying for their first biennial renewal are exempt from this mandatory continuing education requirement.
(b) Each ophthalmic dispenser licensed by the Board shall successfully complete 12 credits per biennial period of approved continuing education course work, of which three such credits shall be in the dispensing of contact lensesin compliance with N.J.A.C. 13:33-3.2. One credit shall equal one hour of attendance at an approved course. Two credits may be carried over into a succeeding biennial period only if earned during the last six months of the preceding biennial period.
(c) The ophthalmic dispenser shall maintain sponsor verifications that he or she has completed the continuing education courses as part of his or her records for a period of four years. Falsification of sponsor verifications may result in an appearance before the Board, penalties and/or disciplinary action. The Board may request a review of an ophthalmic dispenser's continuing education records at any time. Any ophthalmic dispenser who isunable to verify that he or she has completed the continuing education requirements shall be subject to disciplinary action.
(d) The Board may waive the requirements of this section on an individual basis in cases of certified illness or undue hardship.
(e) The Board shall approve only such continuing educational programs as are available on a reasonable non-discriminatory basis to all persons practicing ophthalmic dispensing in the State. The Board shall maintain a list of all approved courses and lecturers at the Board offices and shall furnish this information to licensees upon request. Courses to be approved for the continuing education requirement shall be in areas of ophthalmic science, study related to the human eye and its care, or such other areas of opticianry education as the Board shall designate. Speakers, lecturers and others participating in the presentation of programs shall be recognized as possessing requisite qualifications and being of recognized repute in their area of instruction.
(f) Any person desiring approval as a sponsor of a continuing education course, seminar or program shall:
1. Complete and submit the written application form provided by the Board. The application form will elicit descriptive information concerning the course offering, such as:
i. The name and address of sponsoring organization and the name of individual filing application;
ii. The title and a complete description of course offering;
iii. The date, time (beginning and end) and place of course offering;
iv. Curriculum vitae of each speaker; and
v. The mechanism to be used to assess program value.
2. Secure Board approval prior to offering any continuing education course, seminar or program and prior to representing that any course, seminar or program fulfills the requirements of this section;
3. Notify all licensees of the time, place and date of the course being offered; and
4. Monitor the attendance at each approved course and furnish to each enrollee a verification of attendance.
(g) An ophthalmic dispenser on inactive status who seeks to reactivate his or her license shall submit proof to the Board of successful completion of 12 credits of approved continuing education course work, three of which shall be in the dispensing of contact lenses, for each biennial period of approved inactive status.
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