AOA Meeting Highlights Future of Profession

The American Optometric Association’s (AOA) Optometry's Meeting, held June 17 to June 20 in Phoenix, presented attendees with educational opportunities that focused on the profession’s future and, thus, preparing both optometric students and current ODs for what’s to come (see "Meet the New President"). Some examples:

AOA INNOVATION HUB 

Prior to the meeting commencing, the AOA Innovation Hub brought together industry members, scientific researchers, and business leaders in the field to discuss the future of optometric care. This included panel discussions on AI, ocular surgical procedures, diagnostic equipment, and pharmaceutical advances.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Lectures that focused on the future of the profession included Integrating AI into Everyday Eyecare Practice, Seeing it Through: The Optometrist’s Role in Surgical Comanagement, and Lasers in the Optometric Practice.

LEADERSHIP LAB 

Optometry’s Meeting also hosted a Leadership Lab, during which optometry students were encouraged to take advantage of networking and advocacy opportunities as they rise to best lead the profession into the future. Along the same lines, the House of Delegates announced a scope of practice victory in Vermont, in which the state received the green light to enable its optometrists to perform certain laser procedures (eg, laser trabeculoplasty), periocular injections for medications, and anesthesia for minor surgical procedures, such as the removal of certain eyelid and periocular lesions.

EYECARE SQUARE

In addition to featuring the latest in diagnostic technologies, contact lenses, pharmaceuticals, and more, the Exhibit Hall, named "Eyecare Square," featured several forward-facing workshops, including an Injections and Minor Procedures Workshop and an Anterior Segment Laser Lab.

Want some tea? Optometry's Meeting 2027 will take place in Boston, June 16 to June 19.