As 2020 comes to an end, I have thought about who I am and what is really important to me. I appreciate those I share the journey with more than ever. I love what I do even more than I have before. I appreciate friends and those who have stuck with me for more than 20 years every week. Whether they agree or disagree with what I say, they know it comes from the heart. Rather than remember the misery, loss and uncertainty of 2020 I will try recall the positive differences we’ve made in other people’s lives.

For my colleagues and readers, I wanted to share some wishes for 2021.

• That optometry finds a path to national licensure or universal reciprocity
• That no more new schools open until the need is demonstrated
• That by law every OD can practice to the full extent of their training and abilities
• That organized ophthalmology learns to accept optometry as an independent, competent and capable profession
• That every OD joins the AOA and their state association
• That both virtual and in-person CE are accepted as equivalent
• That ODs are able to prescribe any and all topical or oral medications to treat ocular and related diseases
• That vision care plans stop competing with and trying to control optometry
• That medical insurance plans open access to all OD providers in a fair and equitable manner
• That we fully integrate with mainstream medicine

There will be no regular issue of Optometric Physician next week. From all of us at Optometric Physician, Happy Holidays and our very best wishes for a new year filled with health, success, peace and harmony. GBA

Arthur B. Epstein, OD, FAAO Chief Medical Editor artepstein@optometricphysician.com