American Optometric Association

11/12/2025

Thanks to AOA member Philip Nicholson, O.D., and AOA President Jacquie M. Bowen, O.D., Stop the Bleed now allows doctors of optometry to be instructors for the program.

Read more:

AOA’s support helps Stop the Bleed program recognize doctors of optometry as qualified health care instructors.

11/12/2025

Your eyes don’t just see. They process, analyze, and react faster than you could ever imagine.

That’s why Emily Benson, O.D. sports vision expert, says it’s so important to protect them with an annual eye exam.

Find an AOA doctor here: https://bit.ly/4oukr7j

11/10/2025

Read more about how the AOA’s Eye Deserve More campaign is educating the public about the essential, primary care that AOA doctors provide every day throughout the U.S. – and how to get involved:

The AOA has partnered with K**e Hernandez of the LA Dodgers for phase three of its Eye Deserve More campaign.

11/10/2025

Learn more about the Golden Opportunity Award and apply by January 26, 2026:

The third annual Golden Opportunity Award is now open!

Honoring the legacy of Dr. David Golden by providing substantial support to emerging doctors of optometry, up to three optometrists can be awarded $50,000 each to launch their first independent practice

Apply by January 26, 2026: https://ow.ly/biS250XjOVm

11/07/2025

Download your AOA members-only 2026 Codes for Optometry!

Exclusively for members, the coding resources offer up-to-date medical billing and coding information, from basic coding guidelines to details on selecting appropriate modifiers and much more: https://ow.ly/moWI50Xoq80

11/06/2025

New regulations from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will include doctors of optometry in the VA’s physician-level pay table.

Read more:

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published new regulations last week that will include doctors of optometry in the VA’s physician-level pay table, a change the American Optometric Association (AOA) said places them alongside physicians, dentists and podiatrists, in a “ma...

11/06/2025

The AOA Federal Relations and Advocacy Action Committee and the New Technology Committee advocate for patient safety and greater regulation of potentially misleading diagnostic devices.

Read more:

The AOA Federal Relations and Advocacy Action Committee and the New Technology Committee advocate for patient safety and greater regulation of potentially misleading diagnostic devices.

11/05/2025

AOA Vice President Terri A. Gossard, O.D., M.S., and AOA Trustee Tad Kosanovich, O.D., presented at the SNAPP event in Clearwater Beach, Florida. They shared the AOA's commitment to advocating for all members, insights from leadership and how the organization is improving access to care for patients across the country.

11/04/2025

“Baby Piper” became an adorable internet sensation in 2015 when a video of her using glasses for the first time went viral: https://ow.ly/ZMeR50XmLeM

Read more about how the AOA continues to harness patient stories to highlight the importance of comprehensive eye care for children: https://ow.ly/qvVh50XmLeL

An internet sensation cast a spotlight on pediatric eye care. A decade later, the AOA continues to educate the public about infant eye care through InfantSEE®.

11/03/2025

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published new regulations implementing physician-level recognition for VA doctors of optometry, placing them alongside physicians, dentists and podiatrists, in a major win for the profession: https://ow.ly/9aoj50XlZy6

Congrats to the dedicated volunteers and leaders from the Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services!

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs affirms optometry’s physician-level recognition in latest regulation, a win for the whole profession.

10/31/2025

Each October, the 31 in 31 annual advocacy campaign connects with online retailers, brick-and-mortar shops and other sellers who distribute contact lenses without valid prescriptions, in violation of federal law: https://ow.ly/euj550XkYvC

Report suspected violations to the AOA or direct questions to stopIllegalcls@aoa.org.

Twenty-one years after the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act became law, the AOA continues to ensure that contact lenses are used safely by the public and urge a robust response by federal and state authorities to illegal and improper contact lens sales.

10/30/2025

The 13-member Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) is announcing changes at the leadership level with new appointments. Learn more: Renowned optometric accreditation body announces new leadership: https://ow.ly/3Xur50XkvvT

Congrats to the new chair Julie DeKinder, O.D., and vice chair Michelle Welch, O.D.!

The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) ensures the continued educational rigor necessary for optometry’s expanding and essential role in health care.