Contact Lens & Cornea

2023-2024 CLCS Council

Chair

Mile Brujic, O.D.
Bowling Green, Ohio

Immediate Past Chair

Paul O. Velting, O.D.
Morton, Illinois

Chair Elect

Renee Reeder, O.D.
Betsy Layne,
Kentucky

Vice Chair

Melanie Frogozo, O.D.
San Antonio, TX

Secretary

Karen Deloss, O.D.
Ann Arbor, MI

Council Member

Ashley Tucker, O.D.
Houston, TX

Council Member

Jeffrey Lewis, O.D.
Champaign, IL

CLCS Honorable Distinction Program

For students looking to go above and beyond and set yourself apart among contact lens professionals, the CLCS Honorable Distinction Program may be the perfect fit for you. By completing two hours of contact lens or anterior segment education and attending two CLCS-hosted events, you will be honored by the AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section with an Honorable Distinction Award. A full checklist can be found here.

The Contact Lens & Cornea Section (CLCS) is a nationally recognized segment of the AOA. Members of CLCS include eye care professionals and optometry students who are dedicated to furthering their understanding in the field of contact lenses, cornea, diagnosis and treatment of anterior segment disease, refractive surgery, and related technologies.

The CLCS Honorable Distinction Award is intended to identify and develop the next generation of leaders in contact lens advocacy, research and patient care. This award gives students an opportunity to engage with the AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section by attending networking events and lectures focused on contact lens care. Awardees will be recognized on the CLCS website and earn a certificate of completion for your resume.

Sign up for the CLCS Student Honorable Distinction Program here!

AOA CLCS Residency Forum

The annual AOA Contact Lens & Cornea Section (CLCS) Residency Forum, sponsored by CooperVision, is now in its twelfth year. The forum has earned its reputation as one of the finest opportunities in the eye care industry to learn about contact lenses. The latest forum, hosted in August 2023, featured panel discussions on digital eyestrain, caring for pediatric patients and how to build a referral network and prepare for your future. There also was a hands-on wet lab at the University of Missouri-St. Louis with stations focused on Biofinity Toric Multifocal, sclerals, Paragon CRT, myopia management, and more. If you plan on going into a residency program, please be aware of this outstanding networking opportunity! Register now for the 2024 CLCS Residency Forum.

Inspiring the next gen of contact lens leaders

AOA Focus caught up with CLCS Chair-Elect Dr. Renee Reeder to ask why and how future doctors can see themselves as cornea and contact lens leaders. Continue reading here.

CLCS membership application

By joining the CLCS, we serve you—our member—by providing timely clinical education, representation with state and national government agencies and a recognized and trusted voice to the public for information on contact lenses, anterior segment management and refractive technologies. We provide you timely clinical education through our comprehensive monthly e-newsletter. The CLCS newsletter is recognized as a leading e-publication in the eye care field today. With our talented board of contributing writers and editors, the newsletter delivers you the latest information on contact lens and refractive surgery technologies, clinical management and practice management strategies for you and your patients.

CLCS Awards

The Dr. Donald R. Korb Award is given by the American Optometric Association (AOA) Contact Lens and Cornea Section (CLCS) in recognition of an individual who has been a true innovator and  leader in the field of contact lenses and anterior segment disease.
The recipient of this award has demonstrated the following:

1. Has propelled the profession's knowledge base through novel research or lifelong education to other professionals in the field of contact lenses and anterior segment anomalies.
2. Has made a major developmental impact on the profession through an innovative device or educational breakthrough.
3. Has made a positive effect on the way practitioners manage their patients with anterior segment anomalies.

The Dr. Rodger Kame Award is given by the AOA CLCS in recognition of a section member who  has been a true innovator and leader in the field of contact lenses and anterior segment disease.

The recipient of this award has demonstrated the following:

1. Has unselfishly given service to the section during the past year(s) above what is normally expected.
2. Has made a positive impact on fellow practitioners in the eye care field.

The Achievement Award is given by the AOA CLCS in recognition of outstanding contribution to the optometric profession in the area of contact lenses and eye care. Prior to 1992, this award was known as the Person of the Year Award.

The recipient of this award has demonstrated the following:

1. Has shown a long-term contribution in the advancement and propagation of knowledge in the field of contact lenses or eye care.
2. Has taught selflessly in the area of contact lenses or eye care for a number of years and has contributed to the clinical, academic, and/or research education of students, interns, residents, or clinicians.
3. Has made significant and unique contributions in the development of instruments, in the area of contact lenses or eye care, for the eye care practitioner.
4. Has made a significant and unique contribution in the management programming for the improvement of contact lens practice.
5. Has contributed and shared his or her knowledge with his or her fellow practitioners for the benefit of contact lenses and eye care for a number of years.

The Luminary Award for Distinguished Practice is given in recognition of a distinguished clinical  practitioner who has developed a contact lens practice and who tirelessly contributes to the  development of others.

The recipient of this award has demonstrated the following:

1. Is a member of both the AOA and the CLCS.
2. Is in a clinical contact lens practice setting.
3. Has demonstrated his or her "giving back" to optometry through the education of other practitioners (writer, lecturer, volunteer, mentorship, etc.).
4. Has demonstrated a long-standing contribution and shared knowledge with fellow practitioners for the betterment of contact lens practice and eye care.

The Dr. "Uncle Frank" Fontana Award is given in honor of Frank D. Fontana, O.D., a founder of the CLCS, contact lens pioneer, and friend and mentor to many.

The recipient of this award has demonstrated the following:

1. Is a member of both the AOA and the CLCS.
2. Shows a passion for educating patients and colleagues about contact lens technology and be an advocate for changing patient's lives through healthy contact lens use.
3.  Has demonstrated his or her "giving back" to optometry through the education of other practitioners (writer, lecturer, volunteer, mentorship, etc.).
4. Exemplifies the principles that Dr. "Uncle Frank" Fontana did so seamlessly in the areas of mentoring students and colleagues, promoting optometric multidisciplinary care and advocating for the advancement of the contact lens/optometric profession.

To submit a nomination for any of the above awards, please email clcs@aoa.org and include the nominee's name, contact information and a brief description of nominee's qualifications.

Thank you to our AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section supporters!