For the third year, the American Optometric Association has conducted the American Eye-Q(r) survey to assess public knowledge and understanding of a wide range of issues related to eye and visual health. And this year, the survey found that too many Americans are not paying enough attention to their vision and overall eye health. This is especially distressing given that the majority of Americans (81%) wear contact lenses, and/or eye glasses and should be practicing good eye health habits. Also, with the growing aging “Baby Boomers” population, more Americans are at the stage in life when vision problems often begin and when early diagnosis and treatment are essential. In this interview opportunity, the AOA’s Eye Health Expert, Dr. James Kirchner, will discuss the results of the American Eye-Q(r) survey with your listeners and offer helpful advice on how we can all improve our Eye-Q! About Dr. Jim Kirchner: Dr. James K. Kirchner is the founder of EyeCare Specialties, a multi-doctor, multi-office optometric practice in Lincoln and Beatrice, Neb., where he concentrates on primary eye care with an emphasis on contact lenses and the treatment of eye diseases. Dr. Kirchner has taken a very active role in state, regional and national Optometric Associations. He is the past-president of the Nebraska Optometric Association and currently serves as the American Optometric Association’s Communications Group Executive Chair. Dr. Kirchner has extensive media experience and is an optometric lecturer and author, having more than 10 articles published in national trade journals. About the American Eye-Q(r) survey: The third annual American Eye-Q(r) survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB). From May 17-19, 2008, using an online methodology, PSB interviewed 1,001 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of U.S. general population. (Margin of error at 95 percent confidence level.) About the American Optometric Association (AOA): The American Optometric Association represents approximately 36,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Optometrists serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country, and in 3,500 of those communities are the only eye doctors. Doctors of optometry provide two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.aoa.org www.aoa.org http://www.eyecarespecialties.com www.eyecarespecialties.com
