History of Optometry in Grand Rapids MI

Only in the last 100 years has optometry become a highly recognized, regulated, and licensed profession. Learn more from this timeline provided by our Grand Rapids MI optometrist.

A Timeline of Optometry in Grand Rapids MI

• 4500 BC – The oldest evidence of lens correction is using polished quartz as a magnifying lens, observed with Ancient Egyptians and Minoans.
• 1200s–1400s – It took over 5,000 years to cut two lenses small enough to fit in a frame. Plus lenses in the 1200's and minus lenses in the 1400's.
• 1784 – Benjamin Franklin invents the bifocal.
• 1850s – The ophthalmoscope and eye chart were created, giving a foundation for scientific research and advancement.
• 1901 – Minnesota became the first state to recognize optometry as a recognized, regulated and licensed profession.
• 1901–1924 – By 1924, all 50 states and Washington D.C. recognized, regulated and licensed optometry. The American Optometric Association is formed in 1922.
• 1930s–1986 – Optometrists could not dilate eyes or prescribe eye medications during this time, reducing access to eye health services and delaying vision and life saving treatments.
• 1986 – Federal law allowed for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agent (DPA/TPA) licensing for optometry. This law allows for higher access to care and expanded scope of practice, providing better outcomes for patients for the first time in history. It helped give room for the rapidly advancing profession of Ophthalmology.
• 1986–Present – With the legal framework in place, optometry began changing their academic curriculums to train future generations. In all states the profession has expanded to primary care and secondary care (management and specialized testing), and in some states it has expanded to tertiary care (surgical).