ST. LOUIS—In an effort to provide optometrists resources that prepare them to identify individuals at risk for opioid abuse, the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) Health Policy Institute (HPI) this week issued a white paper that supports the association’s goal of being part of the solution to this U.S. health epidemic.

The AOA HPI issue brief, titled, "Opioid Crisis—A U.S. Public Health Emergency: Recommendations for Doctors," provides a quick reference to recognize, identify, intervene and refer individuals who are potentially at risk for opioid abuse or excessive use, according to the AOA’s announcement.

With prescription opioid abuse reaching epidemic levels, in October the White House proclaimed this problem a public health emergency. AOA is committed to being a “part of the solution, cooperating with and assisting federal agencies in the mobilization to fight this crisis,” according to the association’s announcement. AOA president Christopher J. Quinn, OD, requested that AOA’s Health Policy Institute issue this paper that includes clinical recommendations to delineate optometry’s role in mitigating the epidemic.

“This is an important moment for every doctor in America, and optometry is up to the challenge of doing more to make patients, communities and the country safer and healthier,” Dr. Quinn said. “Doctors of optometry are physicians on the front lines of patient care, delivering the highest-quality eye health and vision care, and helping to safeguard overall patient health through the early diagnosis of systemic diseases and life-threatening conditions.”

HPI is a “thought leader in public policy research and analysis” and is focused on eye health and vision care, according to AOA.