Your source for fresh news updated daily on topics ranging from clinical eye care to advocacy to practice management tips.

In rural America, opportunity for optometry amid shortfall of ophthalmologists

Patient access to eye care and care itself in rural America is jeopardized by the shortage of ophthalmologists, a new study suggests. AOA President Steven T. Reed, O.D., says optometry can help close the gap between the shrinking supply of ophthalmologists and the demand for care. By comparison, more than 99% of Americans live in counties with a doctor of optometry.

Destination: Scope expansion

The AOA deploys multifaceted support for state affiliates in their high-stakes fights to secure optometric scope expansion through strategic guidance, administrative and operational resources, and the Future Practice Initiative, established in 2018. The bold direction is yielding remarkable results—scope expansion and the future of optometry are reaching historic heights.

Opportunities in Optometry Grants deliver fresh perspectives and enthusiasm

New grant recipients are already embracing optometry and searching for new ways to elevate eye health across America.

How to avert an eye care crisis

A noted author and lecturer is sounding the alarm over the growing gap between the demand for eye care services and the declining number of ophthalmologists.

Advocacy updates

Town hall draws hundreds as AOA and affiliate advocacy earns back millions

AOA and affiliate advocacy wins result in nearly $3 million retrieved on behalf of doctors of optometry in 2024. Read how the AOA and affiliates are fighting for fairness. They were updated at a profession-wide, live-streamed town hall on Oct. 29.

'All the advocacy firepower’ called up at AOA on Capitol Hill

Over 500 AOA doctors and optometry students championed the profession’s priority issues in Washington, D.C., including a growing Congressional focus on vision plan abuses.



AOA Focus

AOA Focus is the magazine for AOA members. AOA Focus delivers a blend of updates, in-depth analysis and personal stories from doctors of optometry across the country on topics that matter most to the profession. This big-picture view is the perfect complement to the daily updates members get at AOA News.
AOA Focus