BLOOMINGTON, IN — IU School of Optometry Emeritus Professor David Goss’s book From Spectacle Making Trade to Scholarly Profession: A History of Optometry in the United States has been published. This is the first comprehensive book on optometry history in the United States published in more than 50 years.
The book documents the long and noble history of optometry. According to its publisher Pacific University Press, the book looks at the long span of optometry history, with a primary focus on the United States. “Along with an overview of the history of optometry from the invention of spectacles to recent years, the book considers the maturation of the optometric examination from simple trial and error of spectacles to today’s comprehensive eye and vision examination; the history of optometric education from the brief instructional programs offered in the late nineteenth century to the challenging academic programs of the present; and the increasing sophistication of optometric publications.”
“The book is intended to give the reader an awareness and appreciation of some of processes and persons responsible for optometry’s advancement from the trade, albeit an important one of spectacle making to its current standing as a strong scholarly profession,” says author Dr. Goss. “It is aimed toward optometrists and optometry students, but others curious about optometry may wish to read about the profession’s proud history.”
Dr. Goss holds a B.A. degree from Illinois Wesleyan University, B.S. and O.D. degrees from Pacific University, and Ph.D. (physiological optics) and M.L.S. degrees from Indiana University. During his career, he taught courses in binocular vision testing procedures and analysis, ocular motility, ocular optics, refractive development, refraction procedures, vision therapy, and vision development. Dr. Goss is the author or co-author of six books. He has served as the editor of Hindsight: Journal of Optometry History since 1995 and was editor of the Indiana Journal of Optometry from 1998 to 2014.
About Indiana University School of Optometry
The Indiana University School of Optometry prepares its students for careers in optometry, the ophthalmic industry, and vision science through teaching, research, and service. The school is home to the most comprehensive and advanced eye health education, research, and patient care available with an emphasis on outreach to the most vulnerable populations. For more information on the IU School of Optometry, visit optometry.iu.edu.
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