American Optometric Association

About the AOA

The American Optometric Association (AOA) is the premier authority in the optometric profession. With more than 35,000 members in 6,500 U.S. communities, the AOA leads the way in its mission of improving the quality and availability of eye and vision care everywhere.

Founded in 1898, the AOA is a federation of state, student and armed forces optometric associations. Through these affiliations, the AOA serves members consisting of optometrists, students of optometry, paraoptometric assistants and technicians.

Together, the AOA and its affiliates work to provide the public with quality vision and eye care. Through offices in St. Louis, Missouri, and metropolitan Washington, D.C., the AOA:

• Sets professional standards, helping its members conduct patient care efficiently and effectively
• Lobbies government and other organizations on behalf of the optometric profession
• Provides research and education leadership

Letter from the AOA President

Kevin L. Alexander, O.D., Ph.D. President, American Optometric Association

Dear Colleague:

As primary eye care providers, we have the challenging responsibility of caring for and safeguarding the vision of the public.  As professionals, we are constantly striving to deliver the best possible care to our patients amidst an ever-changing environment.  Membership in organized optometry – your local, state, and national optometric associations – helps you to do just that. 

The advantages of membership in organized optometry are many.  Advocacy, consumer awareness, Optometry’s Meeting™, and professional publications are a few of the many services from which AOA members benefit. 
Whether it’s inclusion in Medicare or third-party plans, scope of practice issues, or patient accessibility, AOA resources keep you connected, competitive, and ready to experience the best the profession has to offer.

An AOA membership provides invaluable tools and resources for every aspect of optometry:

• Clinical care guidelines and resources
• Ophthalmic industry data and research
• Continuing education and training
• Industry news
• Professional networking and leadership opportunities
• Practice growth and profitability

In addition, the AOA is the united voice of optometry on Capitol Hill and your statehouse where we fight daily to protect your right to practice.  By supporting your professional association, you’re actively contributing to the advancement of the profession, as well as your own personal growth and success.

Although the AOA and our affiliates represent the interests of optometrists, we have also grown as a profession to advocate for the health care interests of all citizens.  In fact, the AOA’s InfantSEE® program is the largest single public health eye care project ever undertaken in this country, with more than 100,000 babies examined.  We need you to join us in being a part of this unparalleled initiative.  

The list of benefits and services below is only a sample of those available to AOA members.  You may view the complete list online at www.aoa.org/x5783.xml.

We ask you to join us in continuing to advance your profession, and we look forward to welcoming you as an AOA member this year.

 

Sincerely,

Kevin L. Alexander, O.D., Ph.D.
President, American Optometric Association

Testimonials

“AOA membership has given my practice more credibility.  It’s simply a must.  I continue my membership because it is the primary way that I can support my profession and its advancement.  The AOA publications also help me to stay informed of the news and legislative changes in Optometry.  I also receive discount and better pricing for CE seminars, in addition to services offered through the AOA and its approved providers.”

How to Join

To become a member of the AOA, you must first join the affiliated state optometric association in which your primary practice is located.  Upon joining your state association, you will automatically become a member of the AOA.  Please visit www.aoa.org/x5833.xml to get started today!

AOA Member Benefits, Programs & Services

AOA Publications - online and hard-copy versions of the AOA’s bi-monthly news publication and monthly scholarly journal bring you up-to-date news on the profession and keep you informed of breakthrough research.  

AOA Web site – online access to member benefits & services & industry related information.

Dr. Locator – online optometrist referral directory.

Codes of Optometry – listing of codes for Medicare & third-party insurance claims.

HIPAA References – Privacy Compliance Manual and Security Rule Manual.  Both manuals, specifically for optometry, are available to AOA members free of charge on the Web site.

Resource Guide for Employed/Affiliated ODs - contains valuable information about issues related to lease agreements, contract negotiations, and business management for the independent contractor, leaseholder or franchisee.

Legislative Advocacy - Federal & State - advocating for the profession at all levels of government, and defending the rights of optometrists to practice full-scope optometry.
Medicare Compliance Manual - provides sample policies and procedures, helps to navigate through the complicated laws governing Medicare and how they might apply to an optometric practice.

Optometric Clinical Practice Guidelines - recommendations for patient care which are developed through a formal process. They combine the best available current scientific evidence and research with expert clinical opinion to recommend appropriate steps in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients with various eye and vision conditions.

Optometry’s Career Center® (OCC) - a national, online career-matching service for optometry that helps provide detailed information to find optometric positions (or candidates) or other opportunities, such as the sale or purchase of a practice.

Research/Statistics on the Profession – AOA’s Information and Data Committee conducts a variety of surveys to collect, analyze, and disseminate socio-economic and other data relating to eye care, the optometric profession, and the ophthalmic industry.

Sections - offers networking opportunities for members who share professional interests in Contact Lens & Cornea; Low Vision Rehabilitation; Sports Vision and for Optometric staff.

AOA Approved Providers:

AOAAdvantage - Student loan consolidation program for AOA members and their spouses.

AOAAdvantage PLUS - extends the benefits of the loan consolidation program to AOA member non-spousal family members.

AOA Member Credit Card – MBNA Platinum Plus MasterCard® credit card with no annual fee.

Equipment Leasing – Great America Leasing provides different types of equipment leasing packages to AOA members.

To view a complete list of AOA member benefits, services, and approved providers, visit www.aoa.org/x5783.xml