The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) announces Eye Opener Sessions, a complement to ASCO’s public awareness campaign, Optometry Gives Me Life.

This April, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) held its 10th Spring Institute for Faculty Development (SIFD) in Rochester, New York. It was a three-day immersive experience dedicated to equipping early- (two-year) to mid-career (ten-year) faculty with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in optometric academia.

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry offers a Career Center resource, hosted by Boxwood.

Mollie Mills has joined ASCO’s team as the Program Associate for Member Engagement. Mollie graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Management and a minor in Arts and Cultural Management in Spring 2021.

Did you know that the number of female applicants to schools and colleges of optometry has increased by 26% since 2010-2011? And that the number of female students enrolled over roughly the same period of time has increased 37%? Or that the average GPA of both admitted applicants and of the entering class has risen over those same years?

Deadline to submit essays is February 18, 2025

ASCO is happy to report optometry schools and colleges received the most applicants ever for the 2024-2025 OptomCAS application cycle.

Seeing Clearly: A Baby’s First Glimpse of the World

Allergan is now AbbVie—Your Vision. Our Mission.

Bringing Sight to Underserved Communities: Alcon’s Support for Medical Missions

Bausch + Lomb Launches Arise™ Orthokeratology Lens System in the United States, Hosts Speaker Events at Colleges and Universities

 

Clasp Expands Employer-Sponsored Loan Repayment Programs to Support the Full Eye Care Spectrum

Empowering Tomorrow’s Optometrists: CooperVision’s Commitment to Student Growth

Corza Supports Educational Wet Lab for Ohio State Optometry Students

FYidoctors Summer Student Program Offers Early Exposure to Clinical Optometry

You Might Be Surprised by the Attitudes and Behaviors of your Glaucoma Patients

Haag-Streit USA Supports SUNY College of Optometry’s New, State-of-the-Art Facility with Customized 3D Imaging Solutions

iCare ST500™: A New Era in Slit Lamp Tonometry

Sight For Millions: Connecting Communities Around the World to Quality Eye Care

NIDEK Inc. Completes Relocation of U.S. Headquarters

Why Clinics Love the OCULUS Myopia Master®

Why NSUOCO Chose RevolutionEHR – And Why You Should Watch This

Specsavers Launches New Programs to Support Academic Success

 

Free access to exam prep with OptoPrep

Expanding Access to Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in Rwanda: Topcon Joins Forces with Orbis International and Rwanda International Institute to Combat Diabetic Retinopathy

 

New Digital Toolkit Available: Varilux® XR Series™ x Transitions® Lenses

Volk Optical Celebrates Excellence at Nova Southeastern and Offers Board Prep Tips for Optometry Students

From Aspiration to Optometry: Serving My Appalachian Community

Advancing Customization in Contact Lens Care: EyePrint Prosthetics at the GPLI Resident Symposium

UDM takes a bold step forward to help train the next generation of optometry professionals

and fill the regional need for optometrists throughout the country

Experienced Educator and Leader Returns to Midwestern to Guide CCO

On July 29, Northeastern State University (NSU) leaders, tribal dignitaries, city and county leadership, state legislators, donors, students, and community members gathered to celebrate a vision—in every sense of the word.

Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Optometry held its white coat ceremony on Aug. 9 in Pomona, California. The ceremony capped off Welcome Week for first-year students, who were welcomed into the profession by donning their clinical white coats for the first time.

Josephine O. Ibironke, OD ‘03, Resident '04, MPH, FAAO, has been appointed Dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), Drexel University, following a national search, effective September 15, 2025. 

The Board of Trustees of Midwestern University announces that Dr. Joshua Baker has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Midwestern University, effective September 11, 2025.

An evening of celebration turned into a moment of heartfelt surprise for Dean Kelly Nichols at the UAB School of Optometry’s annual Scholarship Dinner when the Alumni Association announced the creation of a new endowed scholarship in her name.

Bisant A. Labib OD, FAAO, Diplomat AAO, is the new Dean of the Pacific University College of Optometry, effective July 14.

Through the collaboration of Malia McDowell, Class of 2026, and dedicated UAB School of Optometry alumni, a vital new service was launched and sustained at the Community of Hope Health Clinic (CHHC). CHHC stands as a beacon of care for residents of Shelby County who live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and lack access to insurance. In the summer of 2024, the clinic expanded its offerings to include optometric care, providing fully dilated eye exams to individuals in need.

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) has officially become part of Drexel University, after receiving approval from the U.S. Department of Education. 

AOA News recently featured a spotlight story on Meron Fitta, OD, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston. Dr. Fitta’s story highlights her commitment to public health and how she has coordinated vision screenings at over 40 organizations and served more than 3,500 patients over the past year. 

Vision is on the Line: Proposed NIH Reforms Threaten the National Eye Institute

The National Center of Clinical Testing in Optometry welcomes optometry candidates from

across North America as they take licensure exams

Many factors go into choosing a medical specialty such as Optometry, including personal history, clinical interests, duration of the training involved, career opportunities, and financial and work-life balance considerations.  New research now provides individuals who might be considering becoming an optometrist with information about the profession and how it might fit into their interests, skills, career goals, and lifestyle aspirations.

AOA+ 2026 at Optometry’s Meeting® is a can’t-miss, career-defining opportunity that engages our profession’s next generation to lead optometry forward.