Optometry's direction versus public needs.

This paper presents some parallels between the issues relating to our young population's difficulty in vision performance facing optometry in 1976 and medical eye care in the late 1800's. Three specific elements are identified and discussed: namely, (1) difference in practice of optometry and our organizational efforts; (2) the lack of agreed-upon clinical systems; and (3) the lack of availability of care. Suggestion for consideration are presented.