International Opticians Association - IOA

23/07/2025

Our final nominee for the International Optician of the Year is Blair Wong (USA)

Blair is a Licensed Optician, a Master in Ophthalmic Optics, and holds a Master Degree in Education. With over 45 years of experience, he is a nationally recognised educator and leader in the optical profession. He is the founder and Chair of the Eye Health Technology and Opticianry department at the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts and serves as the Executive Director for the Opticians Association of Massachusetts.

Blair has recently retired from the New England College of Optometry where he served as an Associate Professor of Optics and Vision Science for over 30 years. He is the President of the Board of Directors for GoodVision USA, a nonprofit organisation and global leader in creating sustainable vision care infrastructure for vision needy populations around the world.

Blair is a blind individual, having lost his vision to Retinitis Pigmentosa, and is an advocate for the visually impaired and blind communities.

23/07/2025

Visual Conditions & Interventions 25th August-5th October 2025

In partnership with the Academy of Advanced Ophthalmic Optics, registration for the fourth of the 5 short courses is open. This module is suitable for opticians, optical dispensers and assistants moving into a technician role in practice.

The short course is online with two live Zoom sessions. If all 5 are completed successfully, an Advanced Ophthalmic Practice Certificate will be issued to the candidate.

Topics for this module include:

✔️Initial self-assessment and welcome
✔️Ametropia
✔️Eye anatomy
✔️Emmetropisation and development
✔️Presbyopia
✔️Introduction to ocular disease
✔️Diabetic retinopathy
✔️Macular disease
✔️Glaucoma
✔️Pathological myopia
✔️Retinal detachments
✔️Red eyes
✔️Triaging
✔️Introduction to instrumentation: importance of patient set up
✔️Visual field assessments
✔️OCT assessments
✔️Other special services
✔️Single vision edge and fitting including prism
✔️Multifocal lens edge and fitting
✔️Complex edge and fitting
✔️Problem solving
✔️Biometry and the lens environment
✔️Q&A course summary and revision

Register here at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xUSgjrQDSXWg4tmXTjER-g

To see you country band, visit https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JgV824Sryk9TVDxf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

18/07/2025

Our fifth nominee is Frits Van Den Bosch from Belgium!

As the son of an optician and watchmaker, Frits Van Den Bosch grew up surrounded by precision, craftsmanship, and a strong focus on customer service. This background laid the foundation for his own career as a driven, ambitious, and determined optician.

With a clear philosophy — dare to take the leap, work hard, and always put the customer first — Frits developed a professional approach where passion and risk go hand in hand. His belief: those who go all in to make their customers happy will inevitably reap success.

14/07/2025

Time for our fourth nominee for the 2025 International Optician of the Year award: Bill Snelgrove from Canada!

William or better known as Bill Snelgrove, is a licensed optician and co-founder of Kawartha Vision Care, a family-owned optical practice with locations in Cobourg, Peterborough, and Lindsay, Ontario. He earned his optician's license in 2000. In his roles, Bill excels in eyeglass design, production, dispensing, and repairs. His deep technical expertise ensures clients receive tailored eyewear solutions, whether they're seeking the latest frame styles or specialised optical corrections.

Bill is actively involved in industry leadership, currently serving as a Director with the Ontario Opticians Association, where he contributes to advancing professional standards and advocacy across the province. As co-owner and operator, Bill emphasises a personal, client-focused approach at Kawartha Vision Care. Under his guidance, the practice offers comprehensive eye exams, contact lenses, custom eyewear, low vision aids, and in-house lab services-all delivered with a hometown warmth across multiple branches

Beyond his professional work, Bill has a passion for aviation and music-spending his free time flying and playing guitar.

11/07/2025

Here is our third nominee! Barry Santini from the USA.

Barry is second generation optician whose optical career spans 52 years. He is a licensed New York State Optician and certified Contact Lens fitter. In addition, Barry became an American Board of Opticianry Master Optician in 1994.

As contributing editor to 20/20 magazine, Barry has authored over 50 articles covering every aspect of the profession of Opticianry. He was named Optician of the Year in 2016 by the Society to Advance Opticianry, and has achieved the SAO’s Certified Telehealth Vision Specialist and Ophthalmic Optician status.

Barry was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York State Society of Opticians in 2012. In addition to his Ophthalmic Optics career, he was a Product, Sales and Design consultant to Tele Vue Optics of Chester, NY, a maker of high end astronomical telescopes and eyepieces for over 28 years.

Barry is currently President of Long Island Opticians, based in Seaford, NY. Congratulations!

06/07/2025

Our second finalist for the International Optician of the Year Award is Charlie Saccarelli (USA)!

Charlie is a master optician and has lectured and led workshops internationally on homonymous hemianopsia, low vision and opticianry. He has contributed to optometry and ophthalmology textbooks as well as vision research journals.

Since 2015, he has overseen the expansion of Chadwick Optical from 4 people and 2,500 square feet to 40 people and 30,000 square feet.

Charlie is an outspoken critic of the inefficiencies in the healthcare system, and has made it his company's mission to do what they can to make it better. This defiant stance echoes loud and clear in Chadwick Optical's slogan - "Let's Exceed the Standard of Care"

04/07/2025

Our first finalist is Kim Jurina from Canada.

Kim’s innovative mobile concept, Eye Stylist, moves beyond the traditional brick and mortar model by offering personalised, concierge-level optical services in the comfort of her clients’ own spaces. Whether in living rooms, boardrooms, or vibrant senior residences, Kim provides one-on-one VIP experiences that combine clinical precision with modern eyewear styling and a deep understanding of each client’s unique vision needs.

“I launched Eye Stylist to do business differently,” says Kim. “This isn’t just about glasses; it’s about delivering clarity, confidence, and care—anywhere my clients need me. To be recognised on an international stage for doing what I love would be an incredible honour.”

Eye Stylist is more than an optical business; it’s a movement and Kim’s mission is to inspire a new wave of opticians to prioritise personalised care, flexibility, and connection over traditional sales models. With her nomination for the International Optician of the Year Award, it’s clear she’s just getting started.

03/07/2025

Special Announcement – Finalists Revealed for the International Optician of the Year Award!

We are delighted to announce the finalists for the 2025 International Optician of the Year Award. The award highlights the outstanding contributions of opticians from around the globe who have demonstrated excellence in clinical practice, innovation, patient care, and professional leadership.

The finalists represent the very best of our profession, and their achievements inspire us all. We will get to know the finalists over the next few days. In the meantime here they are, the top 6 pictured from left to right, top to bottom.

Kim Jurina (Canada)
Charlie Saccarelli (USA)
Barry Santini (USA)
Bill Snelgrove (Canada)
Frits van den Bosch (Belgium)
Blair Wong (USA)

The winner will be announced at the SILMO d’Or ceremony in Silmo Paris this September. Join us in celebrating their success and dedication to advancing optical excellence worldwide!

03/07/2025

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1161026869392465&id=100064554887823

Are you leading research that deepens our understanding of vision science or helps prevent sight loss? Submissions are now open for the 2025 WCSM Ruskell Medal, awarded annually by the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers.

The Ruskell Medal recognises the author of the best peer-reviewed research paper in , or —covering laboratory, translational or public health . The award includes: a bronze , individually inscribed, a prize of £750 and promotion of your work through the Spectacle Makers' network.

To be eligible, you must be a UK-based researcher, or UK citizen conducting research overseas, had work published between 30 June 2024 and 1 August 2025, reporting original research or systematic reviews that generate new knowledge, be within 7 years of completing your doctorate and to have had significant personal contribution to the published research, confirmed in writing. To find out more about the eligibility criteria for the and to submit your research, visit the Spectacle Makers website (🔗 in bio) > Research Medals.

Submission deadline: 6pm, Monday 4 August 2025.

ALT: Images show photos of previous Ruskell Medal winners, Dr Harry Orlans (2021), Dr Cristina Martinez Fernandez de la Camara (2023) and Dr Yukun Zhou (2024).

17/05/2025

Practice Management 16th June-27th July 2025

In partnership with the Academy of Advanced Ophthalmic Optics, registration for the third of the 5 short courses is open. This module is suitable for optometrists, opticians, optical assistants and administrative staff seeking knowledge on practice operations and management.

The short course is online with live Zoom sessions. If all 5 are completed successfully, an Advanced Ophthalmic Practice Certificate will be issued to the candidate.

Topics for this module include:

✔️Initial self assessment and welcome
✔️Introduction to the professional environment: who’s who
✔️Introduction of vision services
✔️Legal and legislative requirements: practitioner responsibilities
✔️Legal and legislative requirements: staff responsibilities
✔️Record management
✔️Billing management
✔️Financial control
✔️Stock control
✔️Appointments and patient flow
✔️Developing patient forms and data collection
✔️Integrating practitioner roles in practice
✔️Complaints management
✔️Environmental sustainability
✔️Face shapes, facial characteristics: line movement, facial scale and texture
✔️ABCs of frame styling
✔️Colour theory
✔️Putting styling into practice
✔️Frame measurements
✔️Decentration calculations
✔️Prism calculations
✔️Putting facial measurements into practise
✔️Developing calculators
✔️Q&A course summary and revision

Register here at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rQLoVqeEQU-vDlneP85YHQ

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12/05/2025

🎓 Reminder – SILMO Academy Spring Session in Prague is coming soon! 🇨🇿
On May 24, 2025, optical professionals are invited to take part in a full day of high-level training at the Kings Court Hotel in Prague, organized in collaboration with the Czech Opticians Association (SČOO).

📍 A unique opportunity to explore key topics in vision care and practice management, and connect with peers from across Europe.

🔗 Discover the full program and register now:
👉 https://urlz.fr/urLX

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🎓 Rappel – La SILMO Academy Spring Session à Prague approche ! 🇨🇿
Le 24 mai 2025, les professionnels de l’optique ont rendez-vous à l’hôtel Kings Court de Prague pour une journée complète de formation, organisée en collaboration avec l’Association des Opticiens Tchèques (SČOO).

📍 Une occasion unique d’approfondir des thématiques clés liées à la santé visuelle et à la gestion de cabinet, et d’échanger avec des pairs venus de toute l’Europe.

🔗 Découvrez le programme complet et inscrivez-vous :
👉 https://urlz.fr/urM0

25/04/2025

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠? The OAC is hosting FREE WEBINARS for all students, graduates and PLAR candidates who are taking their NACOR Exams this Spring. The same NACOR Examination Information Session will be repeated on four (4) different dates to ensure individuals can find a date that works for their schedule.

These sessions will be presented by NACOR and will focus on information specific to the process of applying for the national examinations, what to expect the day of the eyeglass and contact lens examinations, including an overview of what is covered in each section, and questions from attendees will be answered in the session.

📣 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍! Register at www.opticians.ca (under Upcoming Events on the main page, or under Continuing Education > Event List)

𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐳-𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐑 𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐬? L'AOC organise des WEBINAIRES GRATUITS pour tous les étudiants, les diplômés et les candidats à l'ERA qui passent leurs examens NACOR ce printemps. La même séance d'information sur les examens NACOR sera répétée à quatre (4) dates différentes afin que chacun puisse trouver une date qui lui convienne.

Ces séances seront présentées par NACOR et porteront sur des informations spécifiques au processus d'inscription aux examens nationaux, sur ce à quoi s'attendre le jour des examens de lunetterie et de lentilles cornéennes, y compris un aperçu de ce qui est couvert dans chaque section, et les questions des participants recevront une réponse au cours de la séance.

📣 𝐋'𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐔𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐄 ! Rendez-vous sur www.opticians.ca