Celebrating excellence in optometry

Nominations are now open for the AOA’s 2026 annual awards, including the AOA Excellence Awards, AOA Foundation National Optometry Hall of Fame Awards, Paraoptometric Awards, AOSA Student of the Year Award, Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr. InfantSEE® Award, and the Dr. Jerry P. Davidoff Vision Care Award. Submissions are due by Feb. 20, 2026. 

Each year, the AOA recognizes doctors of optometry, paraoptometric staff, students, affiliates and partners whose dedication, leadership and service help advance the profession and make a meaningful impact on eye health and vision care nationwide. 

Presented during Optometry’s Meeting®, the AOA Annual Awards celebrate those who go above and beyond—those who lead, serve, innovate and inspire. With the nomination period now open, members are encouraged to help spotlight colleagues whose contributions make a lasting impact on optometry and their communities. 

Why nominate? 

The AOA awards are among the profession’s highest honors, celebrating peer-recognized excellence and service. Many recipients don’t seek recognition, but their work deserves to be seen. By submitting a nomination, you help ensure that outstanding contributions to optometry do not go unnoticed. 

Annual awards presented at Optometry’s Meeting 

National Optometry Hall of Fame Awards 

Since 1998, the National Optometry Hall of Fame has recognized optometrists who are true luminaries of the profession—individuals whose careers reflect significant and long-lasting contributions to optometry. Originally established by the Ohio Optometric Association, the Hall of Fame is now administered by the AOA and represents one of the profession’s most distinguished honors. 

AOA Excellence Awards 

The AOA Excellence Awards recognize outstanding member doctors and partners for exceptional contributions, unwavering dedication and distinguished achievements that advance both the profession and the visual welfare of the public. Award categories include: 

• Optometrist of the Year
• Young Optometrist of the Year
• Optometric Educator of the Year
• Distinguished Service
• Apollo Award 

These awards reflect the very best of optometry’s leadership, service and impact.  

Please note: Affiliates may nominate any doctor of their choosing for national consideration. Nominees are not required to be the most recent recipients of state-level awards. Affiliates are encouraged to put forward the individual they believe best represents the excellence and leadership these national awards recognize. 

AOSA Student of the Year Award 

The American Optometric Student Association recognizes optometry students in their third or fourth year of school who show leadership skills when serving their profession, their patients and their community. 

Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr. InfantSEE Award 

This award recognizes a doctor of optometry who has made significant contributions to optometry or their community through outstanding public service involving the InfantSEE program.  

Paraoptometric Awards 

The Paraoptometric Awards recognize optometric staff members for outstanding and worthwhile contributions to both the profession and their local communities. Awards include: 

• Paraoptometric of the Year
• Paraoptometric Community Service Award
• Paraoptometric Lifetime Achievement Award 

These honors celebrate the essential role paraoptometrics play in patient care, practice success and community engagement. 

Dr. Jerry P. Davidoff Vision Care Award 

The Dr. Jerry P. Davidoff Vision Care Award is presented annually to a doctor of optometry who is active in a clinical vision rehabilitation practice setting; demonstrates a commitment to educating fellow practitioners; and has made long-standing contributions to advancing vision rehabilitation eye care through shared knowledge and service. 

Submit a nomination 

Applications are due Feb. 20, 2026. Please share links to the criteria and submission forms for all awards with the appropriate individual or affiliate office staff responsible for submitting entries.  

Help the AOA celebrate excellence, leadership and service across the profession by submitting a nomination today! 

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