For well over a century, the American Optometric Association (AOA) has been representing those in the field of optometry. The organization has worked to be the voice for those in the profession, plus an advocate for eye and vision care for patients all over the U.S. As a leader in the vision industry, AOA strives to improve the quality of eye care, both for patients and for the professionals who work in the industry. This includes eye care such as cataract surgery, LASIK, dry eyes, glaucoma and other related eye problems people experience.

History of the AOA
The AOA was started in 1898 in New York, first called the American Association of Opticians. The organization had 183 members from 31 different states and Canada. In 1910, the name was changed to the American Optical Association, which changed again in 1919 to the American Optometric Association, as it still is today. When the organization first started, membership was open to many in the optical field, which it narrowed to only optometrists in 1900.

The AOA has been a driving force of many of the changes in optometry that have occurred in the last century. Some of those changes include:

  • Advocating for vision tests for drivers of motor vehicles
  • AOA created “Save Your Vision Week” which now is spread over the entire month of March
  • Established a Code of Ethics for the vision industry
  • Was instrumental in establishing the “Doctor of Optometry” degree as the recognized standard for vision care
  • Established Optometry Cares, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding eye care availability to everyone in the U.S.

The AOA has, and continues to be, a voice for those in the optometry field, especially in congress and government affairs. The organization now has 36,000 members, serving across the U.S. These members include optometrists, students of optometry and para-optometric assistants and technicians. The organization’s mission continues to be establishing optometrists as the recognized primary health care providers for vision and eye care; it also strives to be the leader in education, information and professional standards in the field of optometry.

Optometry Cares-The AOA Foundation
In 2006, the AOA started the non-profit organization Optometry Cares. Although the AOA had long been supportive of other charities involved in eye and vision care, this was a larger way that they could contribute to eye health care.

The organization has been instrumental in supplying needed eye care for those in need, serving communities all over the U.S. Some of the programs Optometry Cares oversees include:

  • Vision USA. Established in 1991, this program offers free eye exams for those in low-income households all over the country.
  • InfantSEE®. This program offers no-cost eye exams for infants 6-12 months through participating optometrists.
  • Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief. This fund was established in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to financially help optometrists that are victims of disasters.
  • Endowment and Scholarship Fund. The AOA Foundation supports scholarships and grants for students of optometry.
  • Archives & Museum. The AOA Archives & Museum of Optometry, located in St. Louis, MO is also managed by Optometry Cares. This museum has a wide collection of vision and eye care history, from its substantial library to the many artifacts it contains.

The American Optometric Association has been a leader in promoting vision health and education for all Americans for well over a century. The AOA continues to be an institution that both the optometry community and public can turn to for information and guidance in vision and eye care.

Sources:
http://www.aoa.org/about-the-aoa/mission-and-vision?sso=y
http://www.infantsee.org/
http://www.aoafoundation.org/about/