The American Optometric Association (AOA) has released a revised version of its Policy Statement on Telemedicine in Optometry, following a period of public input and review by the AOA Telehealth Council.

The updated statement includes clarified language, revised definitions of key terms, and guidance on the evolving role of telemedicine in patient care. The revisions reflect feedback from members, stakeholders, and the broader eye and vision care community.

According to the AOA, the policy maintains its core position established in 2020: supporting the appropriate use of telemedicine to improve access to eye and vision care, enhance care coordination, and strengthen communication among health professionals. The updated statement addresses:

• Key terminology

• Criteria for ensuring high-quality telemedicine in optometry

• Organization, training, and implementation

• The doctor-patient relationship and the use of direct-to-patient technology

• Administrative and legal considerations

The policy was developed with input from experts in optometry, eye health, artificial intelligence, telehealth platforms, and clinical practice.

A section on artificial intelligence, previously included in the 2022 version, was removed from the telehealth policy statement. The AOA noted that AI is increasingly relevant across many areas of clinical practice, not just telehealth, and will be addressed separately in future guidance.

The update also refines definitions, including:

• Standard of care: Defined as a legal concept determined by state legislatures, agencies, or courts, rather than a medical standard.

• Direct-to-patient applications: Mobile applications that typically measure visual acuity and provide limited data, sometimes used to generate prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses. Regulation of these applications by the FDA continues to evolve.

Public Feedback
Public comments on the draft policy came from optometrists, students, and paraoptometric staff. Many called for additional education on telemedicine. The AOA stated it will continue to offer resources, courses, and guidance on the subject.

The full updated policy statement is available here.