AOA advocacy yields expanding role for optometry in VA Community Care

May 6, 2026

As essential care by doctors of optometry has gained full recognition at the federal and state levels, AOA doctors are changing lives and meeting the needs of new patients who answered their country’s call to serve.

Tag(s): Practice Management, Perfect Your Practice

Armed Forces Veteran Saluting American Flag

Key Takeaways

Once an active threat to full participation in major government health programs, anti-optometry voices in heath policymaking are being silenced by the relentless and well-coordinated advocacy work of affiliates and the AOA.
Today, optometrists participating in the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Community Care Provider Network can provide veterans with easier, more timely access to care at their local practice office when VA care is too far away or when there is an unreasonable wait time.

The AOA offers a resource to help you market your practice to veterans through the VA Community Care Program.
Eye and vision care is the third-most requested service in the Veterans Health Administration, behind only primary care and mental healthcare. The VA has acknowledged difficulties in keeping up with veteran demand for eye and vision care in some parts of the country.

AOA advocacy yields expanding role for optometry in VA Community Care

Key Takeaways

This content is available to AOA members only