Optometry’s expertise on pediatric health and screen time dangers featured in U.S. Surgeon General’s policymaking symposium | |
Children's vision is increasingly becoming part of the national conversation about children's overall health, development and well-being.
That message reached a federal stage Sept. 1 when David Cockrell, O.D., past president of the AOA and chair of the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (HCAPS), joined national health leaders at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Live Real Life Symposium to ensure children's vision, myopia and the importance of early eye care were part of the discussion.
The symposium brought together leading voices from medicine, research, education, technology, government and advocacy to examine the effects of screen use on children and identify practical approaches to supporting healthier childhood development. In addition to acting Surgeon General, Stephanie Haridopolos, M.D., and Dr. Cockrell, the session included remarks from the secretary of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator, the director of the National Institutes of Health as well as representatives of Google, YouTube and more.
The event follows growing federal attention to the issue, including the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on The Harms of Screen Use issued earlier this year.
During the symposium, federal officials and other participants discussed how heavy screen use can displace sleep, learning, outdoor time, family relationships and in-person social development. The discussion also explored potential physical health effects, including headaches, reduced physical activity and myopia.
"This is the first generation of young people in America who are not just growing up living with their screens. They're living through their screens,” said Mehmet Oz, M.D., CMS administrator.
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Nikon Optical Introduces Z Series Progressive Lenses to VSP Portfolio
Nikon Optical US has announced the introduction of its new Z Series Progressive Lenses to the VSP™ Portfolio, beginning September 16, 2026.
Building on more than 100 years of expertise in precision optics, Nikon has adapted its proprietary camera-lens contrast evaluation methodology to progressive lens design. The new Z Series is designed to optimize the visual field within the progression corridor, with the goal of providing wearers with a more natural, comfortable, and seamless visual experience—particularly at near and intermediate distances.
The Z Series portfolio includes:
- Nikon SeeMax™ Ultimate Z – N Category
- Nikon Presio Power Z – O Category
- Nikon Presio Balance Z – F Category
The premium SeeMax Ultimate Z also features Personalized Contrast Perception. Using measurements available through Nikon Apps*, the progression zone can be personalized to enhance contrast performance while reducing lens aberrations.
For additional information about the new technology, Nikon Apps, or ordering Z Series Progressive Lenses through VSP™, members are encouraged to contact their Nikon Optical US Territory Manager.
Silka Medina
Business Development Partner
Nikon Optical US Inc
860-282-0082 - silka.medina@nikonlenswear.com
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We’re building a great 4-hour Game Day CE program for Sunday, November 8 for those looking to have a productive day before settling in for the NFL action!
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Andrew Rixon, OD, FAAO, Diplomate (Glaucoma) as our featured speaker and our CE Committee has finalized the topics. The full lineup is below.
GAME PLAN:
- Done well before the 1:00 p.m. games!
- ZOOM Platform Credentials will be emailed on Friday and will be resent one hour prior to the start of GameDay CE.
- 4 hours COPE accreditation CE - pending
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About Our Speaker - Dr. Andrew Rixon OD, FAAO, Diplomate (Glaucoma) - Originally from Hartford, CT, Dr. Rixon received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He completed a postgraduate residency in Family Practice at West Tennessee Eye. Dr. Rixon is currently an attending optometrist at the Memphis VAMC, as well as consulting faculty at SCO. Dr. Rixon is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, an AAO diplomate in Glaucoma, member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society, on the executive committee of the AAO Glaucoma Section, frequent lecturer, author of many posters and articles, peer reviewer for multiple optometric journals and on the editorial boards of Clinical & Refractive Optometry, Canadian Journal of Optometry and Clinical Insight in Eyecare.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
KICKOFF - 8:00 a.m. - Time Certain
Optic Nerve and Retinal Rounds: From Nerve-Racking to Nuanced - This course will discuss a wide variety of optic nerve and retinal conditions, specifically reinforcing the necessity of multimodal imaging in the diagnostic process. A multitude of cases will be presented in order to highlight how these imaging principles benefit the practitioner in streamlining diagnosis. (Rixon, XXXXX-TD, 2 hours)
"HALF-TIME" - State Affiliate Reports
Glaucoma: A technology guided, doctor driven and patient centered approach - The management of patients with various forms of glaucoma has been greatly enhanced by the emergence of various technologies. However, the interpretation of that technology still requires diligence on the part of the clinician. Multiple technologies and an honest depiction of their limitations will be discussed, with an emphasis on diagnosis and longitudinal management employing holistic patient care. Rixon, XXXXX-GL, 2 hours)
POST - GAME
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Help Us Celebrate 125 Years of NHOA History!
Calling all NHOA members!
As we prepare a special newsletter celebrating NHOA’s 125th anniversary, we want to hear from you and help preserve the stories, photos, and memories that have shaped our association and the profession.
Do you have something to share? Please email photos, stories, or information to Jeanne Thurber, NHOA Secretary, by September 18. And don’t worry if you miss the deadline—please keep sending items through the end of September!
We’re especially looking for:
Historic NHOA Photos
- Photos from the 2001 NHOA meetings in Bermuda and Mt. Washington
- NHOA photos from 2001 and earlier
Multigenerational Optometry Families
Was one of your parents, an aunt or uncle, a grandparent, or another other family member also an optometrist? Tell us about your family’s optometry legacy, including where and when each of you practiced and your optometry school and graduation year. Family photos are especially welcome!
Longstanding Practices
Is your practice 25 years old or more? Share its history—including the practice name, original and subsequent owners, important dates, and any photos you may have.
How Optometry Has Changed
For our senior members: How has optometry changed since you graduated? Share your perspective and memories of the profession over the years.
Your NHOA Memories
Do you have a favorite NHOA meeting, colleague, event, accomplishment, or special memory? We’d love to hear it!
Help us celebrate 125 years of NHOA by sharing a piece of its history. Your photos, stories, and memories can help bring our past to life for the next generation of New Hampshire optometrists.
Please send your contributions to Jeanne Thurber, NHOA Secretary, by September 18—or continue forwarding items through the end of September.
Thank you for helping us make this 125th anniversary celebration special!
Jeanne Thurber
NHOA Secretary
ThurberFamily@comcast.net
603-860-4647
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Our calendar of activities is open to anyone who is blind and visually impaired - not just individuals who have received our services. Individuals can sign up for as many activities as they’d like at one time. Programming includes peer support groups, fitness classes, cooking classes, assistive technology trainings, crafting, and social enrichment. There are both virtual and in-person offerings and most activities are FREE!
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We offer specialized tech workshops for individuals with low vision or no vision who are 55+. Participants in these workshops must live in NH, be 55 or older, be able to provide a recent eye report, and have a corrected acuity no greater than 20/50. Upcoming workshops include Navigate Your Way and Settings and Gestures Galore! iOS Without Vision.
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The next Silver Retreat is scheduled for September. This 5-day immersive program teaches individuals 55+ affected by severe vision impairment important skills that allow them to live as independently as possible and safely age in place.
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Assistive Technology (AT) & Activities Specialist Stephanie Hurd produces a video series called Tech Topics where she provides instruction on assistive technology and accessibility for those who are blind and visually impaired.
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2027 large print calendars are available for purchase for $10 each! 2026 calendars are still available at a discounted price of $5.
If you know or someone you know could benefit from any of our services, please contact us at services@futureinsight.org or 603-224-4039.
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New from AOA: Billing & Coding Help Desk
We’re very excited to share a new AOA member resource launched this week: the AOA Billing & Coding Help Desk™.
The Help Desk gives doctors of optometry a streamlined way to access trusted guidance on coding, reimbursement, billing questions, and related practice issues.
Members can submit questions and receive support from AOA volunteers and the Help Desk team, with an expected response time of approximately 3 to 4 business days.
For practices trying to navigate increasingly complicated coding and reimbursement requirements, having a reliable place to turn can save time, reduce uncertainty, and help support more accurate billing.
This is another tangible example of AOA membership at work, providing practical resources designed specifically for optometric practices.
Have a billing or coding question? Explore the AOA Billing & Coding Help Desk and put this new member benefit to work.
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AOA Member Benefit: Patient & Community Education Downloads Library
AOA members now have free access to a library of professionally designed patient and community education materials — previously sold individually. The library includes:
- Patient education materials — infographics, flyers, and handouts covering common eye conditions and patient concerns
- Interactive activity sheets and books — great for pediatric care, school visits, and health fairs
- Community outreach content — ready-to-use social media posts, presentations, press releases, and campaign materials
Topics range from children's vision, diabetes, glaucoma, and digital eyestrain to timely subjects like GLP-1s and the solar eclipse — with new resources added regularly.
Also available:
- A 2026 Calendar of Eye and Vision Observances to help plan outreach around key awareness dates
- A monthly social media calendar with ready-made posts and images, updated each month
Questions about public education and campaign materials can be directed to Yakesha Cooper, AOA's associate director of public relations, at ycooper@aoa.org.
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NHOA is pleased to announce the relaunch of the Friday Focus Archive, giving members a convenient, one-stop resource to revisit previous editions.
We appreciate everyone’s patience while we worked through the best and most efficient way to organize and maintain the archive. The goal was not simply to post old newsletters, but to create a resource members could actually use.
The newly refreshed archive features a searchable page with quick, convenient links to previous Friday Focus editions, making it easier to find an announcement, advocacy update, event information or other item you may remember seeing along the way. The intent is to update the archives at the end of each month (at minimum).
Missed a Friday Focus? Looking for something from a previous edition? Start with the FF Archive!
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ABOUT THE NHOA: The Mission of the New Hampshire Optometric Association is to advance and protect the practice of Optometry to ensure the health and vision of the public.
The New Hampshire Optometric Association (NHOA) is the professional association representing the vast majority of New Hampshire’s practicing Doctors of Optometry. We have served our members and the citizens of NH since founded over 110 years ago. We are affiliated with the American Optometric Association.
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Friday Focus is a weekly email newsletter dedicated to communicating important Association- and member-related news, industry updates and matters relating to practicing optometry in New Hampshire. It is a members-only weekly communication.
Member submissions for publication in Friday Focus are welcomed and appreciated. Kindly email us.
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