About the Academy
The OAA was founded in 2002 by a group of concerned educators, researchers,
and clinicians based in the United States. These lay and professional men and
women foresaw the need to have an unbiased organization that was not accountable
to any one group or special interest. The academy at its conception was to represent
the US community of eyecare professionals. However, as the news of the academy
quickly spread worldwide the organization grew to encompass members in over
twenty countries.
In its mission statement adopted at its incorporation, the academy set forth its goals for itself and the field of orthokeratology. One part of that mission was to present an open forum allowing our members to learn, interact with other members, and find a safe environment from which this specialty could grow. Today the entire eyecare community is reaping the benefits of that open forum advocated by our founders.
The OAA has grown in scope since it was formed at the first Global Orthokeratology Symposium. In the last few years with the launch of the fellowship program and our landmark education symposia, the academy has completed one part of its mission in educating the eyecare community and the public about orthokeratology. Membership in the OAA is open to any licensed professional who has an interest in the specialty of orthokeratology. This may include doctors of Optometry or Ophthalmology, researchers, educators or opticians.
Today the OAA, joined by its vendor members representing the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries; looks forward to the furthering of its mission as it reaches out to the public and private sectors in ways only a independent and non-biased organization can. The future is now for the OAA, as the specialty of orthokeratology and the vision set forth by its founders is carried to completion.
Cary M. Herzberg O.D.
President
Orthokeratology Academy of America
2853 East New York Ave. Suite B
Aurora, IL 60502
866-851-9922
What does your $250 Membership fee buy?
| Member discounts to OAA sponsored events such as our Annual Education Meeting |
| Orthokeratology Practice Management and Marketing tools including the best DVD explanation of Ortho-k available today, customizable business cards, office specific Ortho-k brochures, and Ortho-k media packs for TV, Internet, and Radii |
| Access to Mentors who are Fellows in the Academy |
| First access to new technologies such as homeopathic drops and gels developed exclusively for the OAA |
| The opportunity to test for Fellowship status |
| Networking with other Orthokeratologists |
| Free listing on the OAA website Dr. Search tool |
| Free listing on the ortho-k.net website Dr. Search too |
| Access to our Doctor's Forum and "The Corrected View", our on-line journal |
| Investment in the science of Ortho-k and THE ONLY ORGANIZATION THAT FULLY SUPPORTS ORTHO-K IN THE U.S. |
The Fellow as the Mentor
Remember back to your first few Orthokeratology cases? You probably worried just a little bit if this was the right technique for your practice or if you yourself knew the right techniques. There are still plenty of new Orthokeratologists who now need your help.
This is where the OAA Mentoring Program comes in (it's also one of the ways to maintain your Fellowship status). If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact the OAA at and let us know if you want to help new fitters with:
Your name will have a special tag on the OAA website as both a Fellow and a Mentor (and only Fellows can be Mentors in the Academy) and once again you will be able to tell your patients why your Ortho-k practice is so special, while helping out someone who was once like yourself.
The Tools of the Trade
Hardly a day goes by when we don't hear about, read about, or think about "Standards of Care". Often it's not even a conscious thought; it's just something we do.
Orthokeratology is the Art and Science of Corneal Reshaping. In order to maintain the requisite monitoring of corneal health, two pieces of equipment are mandatory if one is to be considered as practicing within the Standards of Care in this specialty:
In order to be assigned a Mentor by the Academy, these two items must be a part of your Ortho-k practice. The OAA does not endorse any particular brand or manufacturer of this equipment; only that it is in your office and being used.
Orthokeratology Management
The practice of Ortho-k is singularly unique in that through a non-surgical, non-invasive, and fully reversible means we seek to alter the shape of our patient's cornea. The first few times we attempt to explain this technique to our patients, it sounds like voodoo to everyone in the room. As we see the results of the first few cases, the science of Orthokeratology becomes more and more miraculous.
As a member of the OAA you are exposed to the very latest developments in this
field and entitled to both learn from and participate in its expansion. Along
the way, practice management tools will be made available to you to further
patient education. We encourage our membership to share their successes with
other Orthokeratologists as that is what Fellowship is all about.