The Optometric Glaucoma Society

The Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS) was founded in the spring of 2001 by Murray Fingeret, OD. This was prompted, he said, when renowned glaucoma specialist Robert N. Weinreb, MD, asked him whether optometry had an organization dedicated to the disease. The World Glaucoma Association (WGA) had recently been formed, with Dr. Weinreb on its executive committee, and it was looking for other glaucoma organizations around the world with which to join forces. The WGA wanted to be inclusive, which meant welcoming practitioners from around the world as well as all involved in glaucoma, including optometrists. Dr. Fingeret reached out to John Flanagan, MCOptom, PhD; V. Michael Patella, OD; and Tom Lewis, OD, PhD, to help form the OGS.

AN ONGOING MISSION

The mission of the OGS is to promote excellence in the care of glaucoma patients through professional education and scientific investigation. The society’s major objectives are to promote the education of optometrists related to all aspects of glaucoma; to promote the acquisition of new knowledge about the disease, in part through the development of glaucoma research within optometry; to facilitate the dissemination of information about glaucoma to health care providers and the public; and to establish collaborative relationships with other related organizations.

The Optometric Glaucoma Foundation (OGF) is a not-for-profit organization providing philanthropic and educational support for the OGS. The OGF has its own mission statement: to support glaucoma education for the optometric profession. This includes supporting educational programs for students, residents, educators, and practitioners. The OGF is also dedicated to promoting excellence in the care of patients with glaucoma, supporting glaucoma research, and providing the underpinnings to allow optometrists to be involved in research.

THEN AND NOW

In the first year of its existence, the OGS had 30 members. There are now 141 active members. The first meeting of the OGS took place in the fall of 2002 in conjunction with the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) meeting in San Diego. Last year, the OGS meeting was held virtually in September. This year’s meeting is scheduled to take place in Boston prior to AAO (subject to change). Learn more about the OGS at optometricglaucomasociety.org.

Members Only

Interested in becoming a member of the OGS? Complete the online application available at optometricglaucomasociety.org/membership-application/. Nominations for election to membership must be supported by two OGS members. Election to membership is made by the affirmative vote by ballot of a majority of the members. Yearly dues are $100.