Lars, not a veteran himself, expressed his strong support for veterans and his desire to see them receive the best care during their military service and thereafter. He alluded to a past Veterans Administration (VA) initiative that attempted to have the government itself manufacture eyeglasses for veterans, which ultimately proved inefficient and costly compared to private sector alternatives.
The VA is now proposing that optometrists, instead of ophthalmologists, perform certain kinds of delicate eye surgery. I have strong reservations about this proposal, beginning with the vast difference in expertise between ophthalmologists (eye surgeons) and optometrists, who typically fit glasses and contact lenses. More specifically, concerns over optometrists’ surgical proficiency, which is best achieved through lengthy training, a high volume of operations, and the impracticality of allowing optometrists to perform complex eye surgery.
Our discussion highlights concern about the VA's quality of healthcare and the importance of considering private-sector options to ensure that veterans receive the best possible care without compromising their well-being.
You can find the audio of my conversation with Lars Larson here, and my article on the subject, "Not Seeing Clearly," here.
Henry I. Miller, MS, MD
Henry I. Miller, MS, MD, is the Glenn Swogger Distinguished Fellow at the American Council on Science and Health. His research focuses on public policy toward science, technology, and medicine, encompassing a number of areas, including pharmaceutical development, genetic engineering, models for regulatory reform, precision medicine, and the emergence of new viral diseases. Dr. Miller served for fifteen years at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a number of posts, including as the founding director of the Office of Biotechnology.
