AOA+ Pledge Receives 63 Signatures Across the Industry, Signaling a Wave of Commitment to the Next Generation
St. Louis, MO – January 22, 2026 – The AOA+ Pledge received 63 signatures from organizations across the eye and vision care industry, each proudly encouraging all optometry students and new doctors of optometry to attend AOA+ 2026 as well as committing to advancing the profession’s next generation of leaders.
To read the pledge, click here.
This year for Optometry’s Meeting®, the American Optometric Association (AOA) and American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) are helping over 2,000 optometry students, residents, new graduates and faculty attend AOA+ with travel grants.
“As students and the next generation commit to the profession of optometry, we’re mirroring their passion by offering a unique, one-of-a-kind support system,” said AOA President Jacquie M. Bowen, O.D.
AOA+ Pledge
The AOA and AOSA have issued a call for mission-driven organizations to stand with AOA+ in shaping the future of optometry.
Those who sign the AOA+ Pledge:
- Recognize optometry’s essential and expanding role in health care and the opportunities ahead to make America healthier.
- Join in urging all optometry students, as well as residents, new graduates and faculty to participate in AOA+ 2026 and commit to career-long involvement in optometry’s advancement.
The AOA+ Pledge invests in the profession's next generation of leaders and helps empower shaping the future of optometry. So far, over 60 organizations have signed the AOA+ pledge.
Thank you to the following supporters!
Organization |
Name |
State Affiliate |
Alabama Optometric Association Alaska Optometric Association American Optometric Student Association Arizona Optometric Association Arkansas Optometric Association Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services California Optometric Association Colorado Optometric Association Connecticut Association of Optometrists Florida Optometric Association Idaho Optometric Physicians Illinois Optometric Association Indiana Optometric Association Kansas Optometric Association Kentucky Optometric Association Optometry Association of Louisiana Maine Optometric Association, Inc. Maryland Optometric Association Massachusetts Society of Optometrists, Inc. Michigan Optometric Association Minnesota Optometric Association, Inc. Missouri Optometric Association, Inc. Nebraska Optometric Association, Inc. Nevada Optometric Association, Inc. New Hampshire Optometric Association, Inc. New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians, Inc. New Mexico Optometric Association, Inc. North Carolina Optometric Society North Dakota Optometric Association, Inc. Ohio Optometric Association, Inc. Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians Oregon Optometric Physicians Association Pennsylvania Optometric Association, Inc. Rhode Island Optometric Association South Dakota Optometric Society Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians Utah Optometric Association Virginia Optometric Association Optometric Physicians of Washington West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians Wyoming Optometric Association |
Optometry School |
Illinois College of Optometry New England College of Optometry Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry Pacific University College of Optometry Southern California College of Optometry (Marshall B. Ketchum University) Southern College of Optometry State University of New York College of Optometry University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry University of Detroit Mercy School of Optometry University of Houston College of Optometry University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Optometry Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry |
Industry |
AOAExcel® Flourescene Group MyEyeDr Keplr FYiDoctors American Academy of Optometry Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry National Optometric Student Association National Optometric Association |
Optometry’s Meeting and AOA+
To sign the pledge and make a commitment to participate in this landmark event, click here.
For more information on AOA+, click here. For more information on travel grants, click here. Sign up for early registration alerts, including early access to registration, workshops and exclusive events. To learn more about Optometry’s Meeting 2026, visit Optometry's Meeting. Please direct any questions to optometrysmeeting@aoa.org.
About The American Optometric Association
The American Optometric Association (AOA) represents more than 50,000 doctors of optometry, students and professionals who provide the majority of eye health and vision care in over 10,000 U.S. communities. As the leading voice for quality eye care, the AOA advances the profession through cutting-edge education, practice-changing resources, singular advocacy, and public education about the profession, ensuring patients nationwide have trusted access to essential, in-person eye health and vision care with member doctors of optometry.
About Optometry’s Meeting®
Optometry’s Meeting, the annual meeting of both the AOA and AOSA, aligns optometric and industry professionals for a four-day experience to advance optometry and engage the association’s official business. The Optometry’s Meeting renowned educational program supports every member of the care team with progressive continuing education and professional development opportunities. Simultaneously delivering an impactful conference experience, Optometry’s Meeting promotes networking and connection through the expansive exhibit hall, as well as a dynamic program of special events.
Registration Now Open for Optometry’s Meeting® 2026 and AOA+
The 129th Annual AOA Congress and 58th Annual AOSA Conference will take place June 17-20 in Phoenix
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