Educate Your Community
The AOA reaches out to media outlets across the country to inform consumers of the importance of eye health and vision care provided by optometrists. You can do the same in your local community by utilizing the customizable resources on this page.
Public education and campaign materials
Available for your use are customizable news releases, social media posts, infographics and other campaign resources that cover a number of vision and eye-health related topics. Not only are these tools useful to educate your patients and the public, but they provide an opportunity for you to market your practice and services to your community.
Also available are PowerPoint presentations that can be used for health events, school meetings and other assemblies.
Questions? Please email Susan Thomas.
For more ways to promote your practice, educate your patients and serve your community through customizable marketing materials, visit the AOA Marketplace.
2021 calendar of eye and vision observances
Promote the importance of regular optometric eye and vision care by participating in some or all of the observances listed. Please note this list is not necessarily exhaustive but provides an abbreviated list of those in alignment with AOA outreach and positions. Observances and campaigns supported by the AOA are noted in GREEN.
Handouts, presentations & infographics
Description |
Format |
| Understanding the Difference Between Vision Screenings and Vision Examinations | Handout |
| Healthy Vision for Life | PowerPoint |
| Children's Vision | PowerPoint |
| Digital Eye Strain: Steps You Can Take for Good Eye and Vision Health | PowerPoint |
| Decorative Contact Lenses | PDF Infographic |
| Diabetes | PowerPoint |
| Diabetes and Your Eyes | PDF Infographic |
| Glaucoma: Knowing the Facts Can Save Your Sight | PowerPoint |
| Strokes and Your Vision | PDF Infographic |
| Optometry Career PowerPoint Presentation (courtesy of the Association of Schools of Optometry; geared toward young adults) |
PowerPoint |
2019 back-to-school resources
The AOA is educating parents about how comprehensive eye exams go beyond vision screenings commonly offered at school or a pediatrician's office, which fail to catch a wide variety of conditions. Access electronic content resources, shareable content and a back to school checklist infographic for your practice website, social media channels or patient newsletters.
Smoking, vaping and your eyes materials
Smoking, as well as 'vaping' (also referred to as e-cigs), can be harmful to your eyes, in particular for contact lens wearers. Download this helpful fact sheet for your patients.
Scout Vision Awareness Patch toolkit
A vision awareness patch program has been created to help members start an awareness program to reach out to the thousands of scouts in their community.
Renee Brauns steps down as AOA associate executive director after 22 years
Integral to making the AOA the force for optometry it is today, Brauns is praised by volunteers and staff for her leadership, professionalism and dedication. The AOA remains positioned to continue powerful advocacy for optometry.
Integrating models of diabetic eye care
Early detection and treatment can reduce risk of blindness by 95%, yet a third of people with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy. More can be done, and that’s where upstream, integrated, value-based medicine aligns doctors and plans for the benefit of their patients.
AOA-backed DOC Access Act gains U.S. Senate companion
AOA turning up pressure on anti-patient, anti-doctor vision plan abuses with new U.S. Senate companion legislation.