Estimation of hazards-ratio in the two-sample problem

Allied health personnel in ophthalmology includes office personnel, ophthalmic medical assistants, ophthalmic nurses, certified orthoptists, ophthalmic photographers, research assistants, contact lens technicians, ultrasonographers, ocularists, and others. The ophthalmic medical assistants (OMA) have been identified only recently and recognized at three different levels of competence. They are assuming an increasingly important adjunct role in eye care. Their certification is the responsibility of the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. Accreditation of training programs has become a function of the American Medical Association (AMA). OMAs should not be equated with physicians' assistants (PAs). Their skills are described, their role discussed. It appears unlikely to this author that they will contribute to a future surplus of ophthalmologists. They do contribute to a more efficient and better eye care of the public.