The meeting provides opportunity for optometric continuing education and professional development, with networking and business opportunities among colleagues, industry professionals, and the profession's leaders. (Adobe Stock / andreykr)

The American Optometric Association (AOA) Optometry’s Meeting will convene its 126th annual congress from Wednesday, June 21 to Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Washington, DC, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

The meeting provides opportunity for optometric continuing education and professional development, with networking and business opportunities among colleagues, industry professionals, and the profession's leaders.

Robert Layman, OD, AOA president, and Easy Anyama, American Optometric Student Association president, invite students, doctors, and paraoptometric staff to voice their opinions at this meeting.

In addition to the educational agenda, on the evening before the meeting kicks off, the participants are invited to watch the Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals baseball game in the Washington Nationals Family Picnic area. This area provides an all-inclusive experience 2 hours before game time and a seat for the game.

Registration is available at here.

Meeting agenda

The AOA offers 136 continuing education and professional development courses with over 190 hours of credits available for doctors, paraoptometric staff, and optometry students. The following shows the comprehensive list of offerings from which to choose.

All times listed are in Eastern time.

Wednesday June 21

• A Modern Approach to Dry Eye - 10:00 am-12:00 pm
• AOACLCS presents Clinical Controversies in Contact Lens Care for Today - 1:00 am-12:00 pm
• Lunch symposia supported by Dompe and Viatris - 12:00-1:00 pm
• Every Dolla Makes Me Holla - 1:00-2:00 pm
• Applications of Angiography (FA, ICG, OCTA) - 1:00-3:00 pm
• Endothelial Keratoplasty - What's New - 2:00-3:00 pm
• Ethics in the Workplaces on Thursdays - 2:05-3:00 pm
• From Retinal Findings to Systemic Diagnosis - 4:00-5:00 pm
• AOA+ Opening Rally and Affiliate Connections - 5:00-7:00 pm
• AOA Experience: Opening Reception - 7:00-10:30 pm

Thursday June 22

• Beyond Drops: Surgical Considerations in Glaucoma - 7:00-8:00 am
• Wellbeing Activity – Yoga - 7:00-7:45 am
• Breakfast Symposia supported by EssilorLuxottica, Bausch & Lomb, and Alcon - 8:00-9:00 am
• Introduction to Suturing: A Hands-on Workshop for Optometric Surgeons - 10:00 am-12:00 pm
• EssilorLuxottica EyeFWD session Remote Access Care: Why You Should Care - 10:00 am-12:00 pm
• Paraoptometric Awards Luncheon supported by Alcon - 11:00 am-12:00 pm
• Lunch Symposia supported by Alcon, Johnson & Johnson Vision, and Bausch & Lomb - 12:00-1:00 pm
• Paraoptometric Idea Exchange - 12:00-2:00 pm
• Exhibit Hall Ribbon Cutting - Supported By: EyePromise - 2:00-2:30 pm
• Contact Lens Workshop – Paraoptometric - 5:00-7:00 pm
• Dinner Symposium Supported by Dompe - 5:00-6:00 pm
• Cultural Competency and Social Determinants of Health for Optometry - 5:00-7:00 pm

Friday June 23

• Wellbeing Activity – Bootcamp - 7:00 -7:45 am
• Breakfast symposia supported by Bausch + Lomb, TBD, and Allergan - 8:00-9:00 am
• Developing a Game Plan for Headaches and Concussion Protocol - 9:00-10:00 am
• Getting Started with IPL (Workshops for optometrists, paraoptometrics, and students) - 10:00 am-12:00 pm
• Lunch symposia supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision, Alcon, Bausch & Lomb, and Coopervision - 12:00-1:00 pm
• AOA+ Lunch - 12:00-1:00 pm
• Understanding Your Craft-The Hows and Whys of Entrance Testing (Interactive Lecture) - 1:00-3:00 pm
• D-EYE-Agnosis: Interactive Case Studies - 1:00-2:00 pm
• Retina OCT Workshops: How to Scan How to Interpret for students, paraoptometrics, and optometrists - 3:00-5:00 pm
• Visual Perceptual Testing Workshop - 5:00-7:00 pm
• Celebration of Optometry - 7:00-11:00 pm

Saturday June 24

• Optometry Care –The AOA Foundation Run/Walk - 6:00-7:30 am
• Breakfast symposia supported by TBD, Tarsus, and Dompe - 8:00-9:00 am
• ICD-10-CM Interactive Workshop-for students, paraoptometrics, and optometrists - 9:00-11:00 am
• Lunch symposia supported by Allergan, Sun Opthalmics, and TBD - 12:00-1:00 pm
• AOA Leadership Institute – Supported by Johnson &Johnson Vision and EssilorLuxottica - 1:00-3:00 pm
• Anterior Segment Laser Lab - 1:00-3:00 pm
• Optometric Surgical Assisting for the Optometric Technician - 1:00-5:00 pm
• Ophthalmic and Neurologic Uses of Botulinum Toxin Workshop A - 4:00-5:00 pm
• Contact Lens Workshop - 4:00-6:00 pm
• Ophthalmic and Neurologic Uses of Botulinum Toxin Workshop B - 5:00-6:00 pm

Special Events

In addition to the cutting-edge education courses and workshops available, attendees can participate in a number of social/politically oriented events.

Wednesday June 21

AOA+ Rally and Affiliate Connections

Doctors and optometry students will gather in the convention center as the AOA+ Rally kicks off with a rally supporting critical primary eye health and vision care. Members of Congress will speak about the importance of advocating for the profession and attendee involvement. A social and networking follow. A badge is required for this event, which is scheduled for 5-7 pm in the convention center.

The AOA Experience and Opening Reception

This event, supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision, from 7-10 pm at the convention center, kicks off the convention. After the AOA Experience, from 8:30-10 pm participants can network with colleagues, AOA leadership, AOSA and state associations, and industry partners. This event is for registered attendees and guests; a badge is required to attend.

AOA on Capitol Hill

This event combines the AOA’s annual federal advocacy event with AOA on Capitol Hill for opportunities to connect with members of Congress. Capitol Hill Briefings will take place at the convention center on Wednesday, June 21, 1-2:30 pm and Thursday, June 22, 7:30-9 am.

Thursday June 22

Eye Care Square Ribbon Cutting

Supported by EyePromise and held on Thursday from 2-3 pm inExhibit Hall D at the convention center, the Eye Care Square features industry leaders and vendors that can help give practitioners a leg-up in practice. The hall will be open Thursday, June 22 through Saturday, June 24.

Alumni Receptions

This event, planned for 5:30-7:30 pm at theMarriott Marquis Washington, D.C., provides the opportunity to reconnect with former classmates, make new friends, and celebrate the attendees’ alma maters.

Paraoptometric Awards Luncheon Celebration

The luncheon is supported by Essilor Luxottica and will run from 11 am-12 pm.

Friday June 23

AOA House of Delegates

The event is planned for Thursday June 22, Friday June 23, and Saturday June 24 at theMarriott Marquis Washington, D.C. Optometry's leaders will discuss developments affecting the profession, deliberate and govern the association, hear updates from the AOA Board of Trustees, and recognize and celebrate achievements. All members are invited to attend each session, including Saturday's election and installation ceremony for the incoming 2023-2024 AOA.

AOA Awards and National Optometry Hall of Fame Reception

The AOA Awards recognition, supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision,will honor the 2023 National Hall of Fame inductees, the Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr., InfantSEE Award recipient, and our Advocacy Awards recipients, including the Media, Federal, State and Payer Awards among others. The time is to be determined.

Celebration of Optometry

This event, which is set for 7-11 pm in The Anthem, facilitates networking, entertainment, and a few surprises and is for all registered attendees and guests; a badge will be required to attend. Transportation, along with food and beverage will be provided.