AOA 2025: Innovation and education take forefront at Optometry's Meeting

This year's American Optometric Association Optometry's Meeting was met with new innovations that sparked the passion of attendees in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The meeting unveiled the new Innovation Hub, which featured a 3-part panel discussion with industry reps and startups in eye care. Other events like the House of Delegates meeting also provided ODs the opportunity to stay connected to optometric happenings.

Among those attending, Clark Chang, OD, MSA, MSc, FAAO; and Mila Ioussifova, OD, FAAO, found that these opportunities provided valuable insights into the optometric community as it stands today.

"My takeaway for this year's meeting, I was at the Innovation Hub on day 1 of the meeting," Chang said. "There were a lot of pipeline technologies that incorporate either biomarker detections for diseases like Alzheimer, for example, and a lot of AI algorithm and a lot of classes [on] how AI algorithm can help us manage our patients better in the future, such as in even cataract management. So I think my takeaway is we should all watch out for what's going to happen in this space. How do we more judiciously protect our patients' medical data, but also how do we, at the same time, embrace AI technology so we can deliver better patient care in the future within optometry?"

"One of the highlights for me was the House of Delegates," Ioussifova said. "This was my first time doing that, so that was fun. But in general, it's always so fun to connect and meet new people as well."

For other ODs, the chance to network with both new and established relationships in the optometric community provided valuable opportunities for strengthening and building connections.

"So far, Optometry's meeting is especially important about the networking that we have here," said Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, FEAOO. "We learn from each other, we learn from state to state, we learn about the scope of practice and we learn how important our profession is for the public and how we can influence the public health doing our job on a regular basis. Our leaders are tremendously devoted to improve public health, and that's one of the key messages we receive from this meeting."

"My biggest takeaway is that I feel like us as an eye care community, we are stronger together," said Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO. "So when I come to these meetings, I always leave feeling energized and just have a new appreciation for what we do as I care providers in the eye care profession. But it's also a reminder that we are part of a profession. There's a responsibility that comes with that. It's not just our individual silos."

"My biggest takeaway from AOA Optometry's Meeting is even though we are practicing in different states in different modalities, optometry is a profession that relies on the unique strengths of every single person that's within it," said Nora Lee Cothran, OD, FAAO. "Every single doctor is bringing something different, and ultimately, we're all caring for our communities, and if we just do our very best day in and day out, just treat the patient like you would treat yourself to try to do the right thing. Lean on your colleagues if you need help. We are making a difference in our communities and in the world of health care."

Naturally, education took the forefront for many ODs at Optometry's Meeting.

"My biggest takeaway from Optometry's Meeting is just us all coming together to learn about what's new, what's cutting edge, and how best to treat our patients," said Devin Sasser, OD. "How we learn together is the most important way to really do the best for our patients. So these meetings that we're going to this information that we're learning, we're really trying to better the profession and better eye care for everyone, and having companies like Johnson & Johnson support those efforts, through advocacy efforts, but also through innovative technology, is a real crucial element in pushing the profession forward."

"It's great to be here at the Optometry's Meeting and seeing so many new faces and enthusiastic new young doctors attending not just the workshops, but also the lectures," said Doerte Leunsmann, PhD, Dipl Ing (AO) FAAO. "It's a great meeting to come to and learn something new."

ODs also enjoyed exploring the city of Minneapolis, with friends and family alike.

"Optometry's Meeting in Minneapolis has been great," said Jacob Lang, OD, FAAO. "It's really close to my hometown and where I grew up, so it's been exciting to show people around and highlight some of the great things in the Minneapolis area, including The Twins and some of the great restaurants and diners and all the good things here."

"I think my biggest takeaway, honestly, has been from a personal perspective," said Carolyn Majcher, OD, FAAO. "So this is the first time I actually brought my older son with me to one of these meetings. I love seeing predominantly more and more females in the profession, and you're trying to balance your work life, your personal life balance. And it's just been a real pleasure for him to be able to see me in the setting, and see me as a professional sort of career boss, and not just, you know, a homebody that does laundry. So we're really excited for where our profession is headed, and to encourage other women to do that as well."