Dr. Allen was retired for 4 years, when House Bill 107 was passed by the Louisiana Legislature, allowing optometrists to use diagnostic drugs. Dr. Allen underwent a metamorphosis, coming out of a more-or-less sedentary retirement to become one of the most strident advocates of preserving medical aspects of ocular care for Ophthalmology. He took this position long before any of the major ophthalmological organizations became involved.
He organized the Ophthalmic Physicians Educational Network (OPEN), which became known as the Physicians Education Network, or PEN. A publication was begun which reported the various attempts by limited licensed practitioners to expand their scope of practice. Cases of mismanagement by optometry were documented.
Dr. Allen warned that optometrists next would seek legislation to use therapeutic drugs. In time, most of his early warnings became fact.
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Front page of The PEN, November/December, 1991. |