Volume 9, Issue 7│February 21, 2025 | |
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2025 Winter CE Series
There is still time to register for Winter CE! Please note: All registrations that were received after Wednesday, February 19 are considered on-site and will incur a $25 on-site registration fee.
Online registration closes at 3pm CT today Friday, February 21. On-site registration will be available Sunday morning. Registration will open at 8am. Please arrive early to register on-site.
All courses are 6 hours TQ (test included in registration).
Courses run from 9am - 4pm CT.
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February 23, 2025
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip // Alsip, IL
Speaker: Chris Borgman, OD
Course: "Unlocking Diagnostic Challenges: A Journey Through Vision Loss, Retinal Brainteasers, Pituitary Insights, and OCT Rounds"
March 2, 2025
Location: Westin Chicago North Shore // Wheeling, IL
Speaker: Mile Brujic, OD
Course: "Anterior Segment Assault: Updates and New Strategies for Patient Management"
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Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Requirements Back in Effect 📢
On Feb. 18, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ruled in favor of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, effectively putting beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) back into effect. For the vast majority of small businesses, including independent optometry practices, the new deadline to file a BOI report is March 21, 2025.
Congress enacted the CTA, which originally took effect in 2024, to make it easier for the federal government to crack down on shell companies used for illegal activities. Although optometry practices are not involved in such activities, many would be required to report information about their ownership to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a Treasury Department agency, or face penalties.
The AOA continues to advocate for relief from this administrative burden. Meanwhile, the AOA will continue to provide CTA updates and resources, including a FAQ, compliance guide and informational webinar available on AOA EyeLearn.
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Congratulations to the Newest State Board Member!
IOA Member Kristen Buskirk, OD was recently added to the IDFPR's Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board. Congratulations Dr. Buskirk!
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We want to hear from YOU!
Do you have a business question or a dilemma we can answer for you? Others may have the same inquiry. Ask away! We will answer your question in an upcoming issue.
(Don't worry, we won't include your name.)
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Report illegal and unsafe contact lens sales to the FDA & FTC
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MEMBER BENEFIT: Free On-Demand CE!
Courses for the 2024-2026 licensing cycle are now available on the On-Demand CE platform. ODs can take all 18 regular hours of CE online through the On-Demand CE Series. As an Illinois licensed CE provider, all courses taken through IOA will count for an Illinois license renewal.
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Eyes on Tomorrow Fund
The Eyes on Tomorrow Fund, previously known as the Legislative Equity Fund, is a dedicated resource created by and for optometrists to support the Illinois Optometric Association’s (IOA) state-level advocacy efforts. This fund directly empowers optometry’s fight for scope expansion, the regulation of Vision Benefits Managers (VBMs), and other legislative battles crucial to protecting the profession and ensuring patient care. Unlike political action committees (PACs), this fund is not used to support candidates but instead provides critical resources for advancing optometry in Illinois.
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Report Vision Plan Abuses to the IOA
The IOA recognizes that Vision Care Plan Regulation Act constitutes a significant stride forward for optometry. However, it doesn't signal the conclusion of our efforts to champion fair contracting with vision plans. In the next few years, our members will be renewing and amending their contracts to reflect the changes in the new law. Throughout this process, we will gain valuable insight directly from our members regarding instances of vision plan abuses.
If you encounter vision plan abuses, we ask that you fill out the form below to report abuse. The IOA will collect this information to prevent further vision plan abuses on behalf of our members.
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Gov. Pritzker Proposes Seventh Balanced Budget
State of Illinois Office of Management and Budget
February 19, 2025
Prioritizing fiscal responsibility, the FY26 budget invests in
core programs that deliver for Illinois’ working families
SPRINGFIELD – Today, Governor Pritzker unveiled his seventh balanced budget
proposal he budget centered around strong fiscal responsibility, affordability for
working families, and setting Illinois up for the future. The budget preserves
progress Illinois made over the last six years, focusing on the long-term fiscal
health of the state while maintaining investments in core priorities such as
education, health and human services, and economic development.
Please see below for links to the proposed FY26 budget as well as the
Governor's remarks as prepared for delivery:
Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget
Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Budget
Fiscal Year 2026 Budget in Brief
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Illinois Democrats Raise Concerns Over Potential Cuts to Medicaid, Safety Net Programs
Health News Illinois | By Ryan Voyles
February 19, 2025
A coalition of Illinois Congressional Democrats is raising concerns about the potential impact of cuts to Medicaid, Society Security and other safety net programs.
The group, which included Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and nine House Democrats, met Monday at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago to also push back on proposed funding cuts at the National Institutes for Health and staffing cuts across federal agencies that they said would endanger Americans.
“We are at a proverbial fork in the road and we have to choose to fight back,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg.
Lawmakers also focused their ire on potential changes to the Medicaid program.
The Republican-led Congress is weighing billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, with the Associated Press reporting work requirements and paying a fixed rate to states are among the ideas being discussed.
“Little things like (work requirements) make a big difference not only in the budgeting process but in the morale of the people,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. “Work is good for you. You find dignity in work.”
Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, said they will fight to prevent any harm from coming to Illinois families.
“We will not allow families to suffer so corporations and billionaires can benefit,” she said.
Department of Healthcare and Family Services acting Director Elizabeth Whitehorn told stakeholders earlier this month that they are focused on how Congressional action may impact the state’s Medicaid program.
Specifically, she said they were concerned about a potential implementation of a per capita cap to limit federal Medicaid funding to states and repealing the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion.
Roughly 770,000 Illinoisans could be affected by the repeal of the expansion, Whitehorn said, with the state receiving $7.4 billion to provide coverage for them.
Illinois is one of nine states to have a so-called trigger law on the books that would remove that population from the rolls if the federal government reduces the level of federal match to anything under 90 percent.
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Barrington Hills Trustee to Fill McConchie's Seat representing Illinois' 26th Senate District
Barrington Hills | By Madhu Krishnamurthy
February 14, 2025
A Barrington Hills village trustee has been tapped as the new state senator for Illinois’ 26th Senate District.
Darby Hills replaces Republican state Sen. Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods, who resigned Feb. 2 to lead a new nonprofit advocacy group for people with disabilities.
McConchie, the Senate’s Republican leader from 2021 to 2023, left to become CEO of the Accessibility Policy Institute, which will address needs at the local, state and federal levels.
As his successor, Hills will finish McConchie’s term and can run for election in 2026.
The founder of Barrington Children’s Charity, Hills has been an advocate for children and families for years, according to a news release.
“I am honored to serve as the next state Senator for the 26th District,” she said in the release.
“This isn’t just about policy for me — it’s personal. I know firsthand the impact a little support can have on a child’s future, and I’m eager to bring that perspective to Springfield.
“Whether it’s fighting for families, keeping taxes low, or ensuring government remains accountable, I will work every day to make a real difference,” Hills added. “This community has given me so much, and I’m committed to being a strong voice for it in Springfield.”
In 2010, Hills and her husband, Thomas, co-founded Barrington Children’s Charities. Through it, Hills has led a volunteer effort to provide meals to 525 children weekly across Barrington-area school districts. She grew up in a low-income household with a single mother, receiving the same kind of help, according to the release.
Hills’ background includes experience as an arbitrator, mediator and Cook County assistant state’s attorney, focusing her efforts on child welfare. She also worked as a labor and employment attorney at Jackson Lewis LLP on behalf of corporations.
“Darby’s dedication to children and families, along with her experience as a prosecutor and local leader, make her an invaluable addition to our team,” said Senate Republican Leader John Curran of Downers Grove. “She brings a deeply personal perspective to the fight for Illinois’ most vulnerable children — one that will drive real change in Springfield.”
As a village trustee, Hills has advocated for keeping taxes low, responsible budgeting, and accountable government. In Springfield, she will work to create a pro-business environment that supports local job creators and strengthens Illinois’ economy, according to the release.
Hills will be sworn in to represent the 26th District in the coming days.
The district encompasses much of southern, central and western Lake County; a portion of northwest Cook County; and smaller parts of Kane and McHenry counties.
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Top Three Reasons Targeting the Elusive “Passive Seeker” Should Be Part of Your Hiring Strategy
When hiring a new optometrist for your practice, casting a wide net to attract top talent is crucial. One group that’s often overlooked by hiring practice owners is passive job seekers – ODs who are not actively searching job boards but might be open to a new opportunity if the right one comes along. Here are three compelling reasons why targeting passive seekers should be included in your hiring strategy.
- Massive Untapped Market – Studies show that 70-75% of the global workforce is made up of passive candidates who are not actively searching for a job. Engaging with this segment can put your opening in front of hard-to-reach, highly skilled ODs.
- Reduced Competition – Passive job seekers aren’t actively pursuing new opportunities, which means they’re not engaging in multiple interviews or weighing offers from other employers. This reduces your competition and allows you to engage with potential hires who might otherwise fly under the radar.
- Dedication – While passive job seekers aren’t actively job-hunting, they are open to change for the right opportunity. If a passive job seeker expresses interest in your position, it’s often because they see it as a significant career move. This can, in turn, result in a highly motivated, committed hire for your practice.
Targeting passive job seekers can help you find an OD who is a perfect fit for your practice – someone you might not have reached through traditional job postings. The AOAExcel Career Center has resources available to help you position your listing in front of passive seekers, including the monthly Spotlight e-newsletter, which delivers featured job listings directly to the inboxes of our carefully curated database of working ODs.
AOAExcel Career Center experts are available to guide you in creating a compelling listing and devising a strategic hiring plan. Plus, AOA members receive up to 50% off on job listings. To learn more about the AOAExcel Career Center and how to get your listing in front of passive seekers, visit aoa.org/career-center/employers.
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AOA Independent Practice Institute — New in 2025!
The AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute is a 10-month member benefit program designed to engage and equip the upcoming generation of doctors with the business basics of running an independent practice. Through a combination of virtual and in-person training, focus groups, and networking opportunities, participants will obtain the skillset and confidence necessary to start or step in to an independent practice leadership role.
Developed by the AOA Center for Independent Practice, the AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute is open to active AOA member students and doctors of optometry, particularly those who are early in their careers. Participants get free registration—a combined value of more than $750—to Optometry’s Meeting®, June 25-28, 2025, and AOA on Capitol Hill on March 15-17, 2026. Applications are due by Friday, February 28.
Learn more and apply now for the inaugural 2025-26 Independent Practice Institute here.
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AOA, WCO Open Call for Abstracts for 2025 Poster Sessions: Deadline extended!
The AOA and WCO invite you to participate in our Poster Sessions for Optometry's Meeting® 2025!
The Poster Session creates a national forum for clinicians, students and faculty to communicate interesting cases and unique research to their colleagues. Abstracts based on unique clinical cases featuring any and all aspects of optometric research will be reviewed and the submissions meeting the required criteria will be accepted for Poster presentation. All case reports and research must be complete and unpublished at the time of submission. Poster abstracts must be submitted electronically and be received by Feb. 21, 2025.
Important dates
- Submission deadline: Feb. 21, 2025
- Notification of acceptance: Mid-March 2025
- Poster Session Recordings Available: Beginning May 23, 2025
- Rapid-fire CE Course feat. Top 5 Poster Presenters: June 27, 2025
- Optometry's Meeting: June 25-28, 2025
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When to Consider Referring for Low-Vision Rehabilitation
AOA | By David Simpson, O.D., and Sherry Day, O.D., members of the AOA’s Vision Rehabilitation Committee
February 13, 2025
This Low Vision Awareness Month—and year-round—know when to refer, how to find the right provider and other considerations to help patients maintain their quality of life.
“I’m having trouble reading.”
For any optometrist, this is a common concern to hear from patients. Often, this leads to a straight-forward treatment: new glasses, contact lenses or maybe a referral for cataract surgery. But what happens when you have tried those options and the concern persists? When do you consider referring to a low-vision rehabilitation optometrist?
Does your patient need to be referred?
The need for rehabilitation is dependent on the patient’s visual goals. With their current best corrected vision, can they read? Prepare food? Recognize faces? Drive? Whether the patient needs to be referred to help them meet their goals also depends on your own comfort level and your office. Do you have enough exam time? Do you have appropriate tests available, such as continuous text acuity cards? Do you have a range of devices available to evaluate? If the answer is no, then it may be time to make a referral.
Who to refer to?
Beyond word of mouth, there are several resources where you can find a low-vision rehabilitation optometrist. The AOA’s member directory lists members who provide vision rehabilitation. Some state associations also have vision rehabilitation committees with a list of providers. If you live near an optometry school, they are likely to have a low-vision rehabilitation clinic. If your patient is a veteran, they may qualify for low-vision services through the Veteran’s Administration.
What does the low-vision rehabilitation optometrist need from the referring optometrist?
A copy of your most recent comprehensive visual exam, including diagnosis and visual acuity, is helpful to include with a referral, but check with their office to find out what is needed. Inform your patient regarding what to expect at the low-vision appointment. Many patients arrive for low-vision rehabilitation evaluations thinking they will get a pair of glasses that will bring their vision back. This wrong expectation sets the patient up for disappointment and reduces their willingness to use any prescribed devices. It can be helpful to explain to the patient that the low-vision evaluation and devices are to enhance the vision they currently have, rather than return what has been lost.
Encourage the patient to come to their appointment with vision-related goals. If there is a specific task they would like to perform (e.g., read music, perform a craft), have them bring a sample to the evaluation. Consider holding off on finalizing a new spectacle prescription prior to the referral, but have the patient wear their best correction to the exam, whether glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, a new higher add power or lens design may be prescribed. If you have an optical, the patient should be able to return with their new prescription.
What to expect after the initial evaluation
Your patient will continue to see you after they have been referred for low-vision rehabilitation. While some patients may require multiple low-vision sessions, success for a low-vision rehabilitation provider is often when a patient no longer needs them. That means they still need their primary eye doctor to monitor and treat the cause of their vision loss, along with any comorbid conditions, such as dry eye. You should receive a report or copy of exam notes back from the low-vision provider that includes recommendations and a care plan.
Other considerations
A common question asked by our primary eye care colleagues is: what does the patient’s visual acuity (VA) need to be to refer? While a best-corrected VA of worse than 20/40 provides a guideline, focusing solely on VA can overlook the patient’s needs. The best time to refer a patient is as soon as they start having vision-related functional issues that cannot be addressed in your office. Even at near-normal VA, scotomas and contrast sensitivity impairment can create challenges for your patients. On the other hand, a lack of functional vision (i.e., hand motion or worse) also may limit optical device options for your patient. While low-vision optometrists can still often review resources and sight substitution options, it may be more helpful to refer these patients to blind rehabilitation services in your area.
Early referral is key
A sentiment that many patients express following a low-vision rehabilitation evaluation is: why didn’t I know about you sooner? Co-managing with a low-vision rehabilitation optometrist is one way OD-to-OD referrals can improve outcomes for your patients. Early referral is key for your patient to maintain their quality of life.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article represents the opinion of the author and not the AOA. These are not clinical practice guidelines, nor has the evidence been peer-reviewed. There are additional aspects to this topic that may not be presented, or considered, based on the specifics of the case.
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Sudden, Severe Vision Loss in Eight Children Linked to Fevers
— Most patients recovered, but the cause still remains murky
MedPage Today | By Randy Dotinga
February 17, 2025
Researchers have linked eight cases of sudden and severe bilateral vision loss in young children in China to a novel type of retinal dysfunction that seems to follow cold-related fever.
At a mean of 16.1 days after fever onset, patients experienced initial symptoms including sudden vision loss, visual field constriction, nyctalopia, and dyschromatopsia, reported Xiaoyan Ding, MD, PhD, of the Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases in China, and colleagues in JAMA Ophthalmology.
"Despite severe initial impairment, most patients achieved substantial central vision recovery, with many reaching visual acuity of 20/40 or better," they wrote. "These findings suggest this may be a distinct, underrecognized disease, which we propose to name hyperacute outer retinal dysfunction."
In an accompanying commentary, Timothy M. Boyce, MD, and Ian C. Han, MD, both of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, wrote that "the pathogenesis of [hyperacute outer retinal dysfunction] is unknown, but the viral prodrome in all patients raises suspicion for an inflammatory mechanism, and the delayed onset (about 2 weeks) implicates an antibody-mediated response rather than primary viral retinitis."
They theorized that "perhaps akin to autoimmune encephalitis, viral infection may ignite an antibody-mediated, hyperinflammatory response ... which initially kindles in the outer retina, and once ablaze, results in diffuse photoreceptor destruction."
The eight patients (six boys and two girls, mean age 5.1 years) had no ocular concerns until they developed sudden vision loss in 2022 and 2023. "All children, or their parents or guardians, reported a sudden, severe, and symmetric decrease in vision affecting both eyes," Ding and team wrote. "Specifically, symptoms such as difficulty navigating stairs, reading difficulties, stumbling, failure in grasping objects, or falling while walking outside were commonly reported."
All patients had visual field loss, half had nyctalopia, and 25% had color vision anomalies.
Within 6 to 48 hours after symptom onset, 14 of 16 eyes had visual acuity (VA) of counting fingers or worse, and the other two eyes worsened over the next few days. Soon, VA in all eyes was hand motion (56.3%) or light perception (43.7%).
Intraocular pressure was normal for all patients. However, examinations revealed loss of outer retinal layers, "substantial photoreceptor loss, extensive peripheral field constriction, and extinguished rod and cone responses."
The patients were all treated with oral or intravenous corticosteroids and, in some cases, methotrexate, intravenous immunoglobulin, and (in one patient) plasma exchange.
"While there was gradual recovery in the macula, the peripheral photoreceptor cells did not recover, ultimately resulting in macular sparing that was associated with maintained central vision," Ding and colleagues reported.
VA improved in six patients at 3 weeks to 1 month. At 1-year follow-up, seven patients reached a VA of 20/40, and four reached 20/25. All eyes had attenuated vessels, and 62.5% (five children) had peripheral pigmentary abnormalities.
The researchers said that they believe the condition is novel. "A key finding was the initial dramatic loss of the outer retinal layers, followed by a gradual recovery in the macular region. This progression ultimately was associated with a macula-sparing outer layer deficiency in the later stages of the disease, resembling features seen in RP [retinitis pigmentosa] or AIR [autoimmune retinopathy]."
The researchers noted two similar cases, also connected to fevers, that were reported in 2018 in Iran and in 2023 in India.
In regard to cause, Ding and team implicated the fevers that the patients experienced, reaching 100.4 to 104° F, mostly for 2 to 3 days (up to 10 days in one case). All patients took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and two also took the antihistamine chlorpheniramine maleate.
They noted that the effectiveness of therapies like steroids is unclear. "We observed that visual recovery began approximately 3 to 4 weeks after onset in most patients, regardless of treatment timing, possibly indicating that recovery may not directly correlate with treatment initiation."
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The Corporate Transparency Act Is Back On
— FinCEN has extended the deadline for most companies to file ownership information to March 21 in light of the latest ruling
Wall Street Journal |By Mengqi Sun
February 19, 2025
The implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act, which requires millions of companies to disclose their true ownership to the government, is back on after a federal judge in Texas reversed an injunction he issued last month.
The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which oversees the enforcement of the law, on Tuesday issued a notice that extended the filing deadline for most companies to March 21. FinCEN said it recognized that companies may need additional time to comply.
Judge Jeremy Kernodle of the Eastern District of Texas, in a ruling this week, granted the U.S. government’s request to stay a national injunction issued on Jan. 7. Kernodle cited a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Treasury issued in January by Justice Samuel Alito, which overturned a lower court order that was blocking enforcement of the CTA in another case challenging the constitutionality of the law.
Justice Alito, who issued the ruling in the case brought by plaintiffs including small business Texas Top Cop Shop, said the universal injunction was lifted pending the appeal of the case in the Fifth circuit court. Justice Neil Gorsuch concurred with the ruling, adding that it means a district court may not issue universal injunctions.
But the enforcement of the CTA was still blocked for nearly a month because of the universal injunction issued by Kernodle. The roller-coaster run of rulings in recent months added to the confusion already felt by many companies.
The Corporate Transparency Act, a bipartisan effort passed in 2021 to curtail the use of anonymous shell companies and help track flows of illicit money, mandates millions of companies and trusts to file beneficial ownership information with the Treasury’s FinCEN or face the possibility of penalties such as fines and jail time. The law covers an estimated 32 million small businesses nationwide.
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Merchant Advocate Saves You Money – WITHOUT SWITCHING PROCESSORS!
Merchant Advocate is an expert in navigating the processing industry, saving you money by exposing hidden fees, reducing rates, and optimizing setup. Whether advising on virtual payment costs, software integration challenges, or in the handling of sensitive patient data, Merchant Advocate helps eye care practices, and the Illinois Optometric Association, save without switching processors.
They operate on a success-based model with no upfront cost, sharing in achieved savings—directly boosting your bottom line.
Check out this video featuring IOA member, Dr. Jara, speaking about his experience working with Merchant Advocate.
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THANK YOU TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS! | |
Illinois Optometric Association
217-525-8012
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