AOA 25: Optometry’s Meeting packed with impressive education, innovative events

(Image credit: ©stevengaertner—stock.adobe.com)

During June 25-28, 2025, the city of Minneapolis will be crawling with optometrists, paraoptometrics, practice staff, and optometry students as the 128^th Annual American Optometric Association (AOA) Congress and 57^th Annual American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) Conference coalesce into Optometry’s Meeting, one of the most hotly anticipated meetings of the year. For the 5^th year, the meeting doubles as the World Congress of Optometry (WCO).

New this year is the AOA Innovation Hub, which unites eye care providers and companies to discuss the emerging horizon of technology and AI in eye care. The 3-day program will feature discussions around AI integration and how to leverage digital technology to accelerate innovation around the practice.

In addition to the continuing education (CE) schedule, AOA offers a professional developmental program that is available to any member of an optometric staff and access to the latest ophthalmic goods and services in the famed Eye Care Square. From the opening session in the Minneapolis Convention Center to the closing Prince-themed Celebration of Optometry at the Orchestra Hall and Peavey Plaza, Optometry’s Meeting offers myriad leadership and networking opportunities.

The AOA and WCO previously released their top 5 posters, which will participate in the live education session on Friday, June 27. The ePosters are available on demand on and after Wednesday, June 25.

Editor’s note: All times are listed in Central time

Education and workshops

It’s the reason you’re going! Education sessions begin at 9 am CT on Wednesday, June 25, and conclude at 3 pm CT on Saturday, June 28. Topics range from ocular toxicities in cancer patients to myopic complications and beyond.

• Advanced surgical and laser techniques
• Systemic diseases
• AI in eye care
• Functional vision
• Billing and coding
• Specialty contact lens fitting
• InfantSEE workshops

Registration hours

• Tuesday, June 24 – 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Wednesday, June 25 – 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Thursday, June 26 – 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Friday, June 27 – 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Saturday, June 28 – 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM

AOSA sunglasses sale to benefit OneSight & Optometry Cares

• Wednesday, June 25 – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Thursday, June 26 – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Friday, June 27 – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The annual sunglasses sale is back! Grab designer shades and rest easy knowing the proceeds will go to OneSight and Optometry Cares.

Eye Care Square hours

• Wednesday, June 23 – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Opening reception)
• Thursday, June 24 – 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Friday, June 27 – 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Wednesday, June 25

Industry breakfast symposia – Sponsored by Dompe Medical

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

World Council of Optometry in-person poster session

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Industry lunch symposia – Sponsored by AbbVie and Astellas

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

World Council of Optometry member welcome session

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

AOA Experience: Opening session – Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Eye Care Square Exhibit Hall opening reception

7:00 – 9:00 PM

Thursday, June 26

Industry breakfast symposia – Sponsored by Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, EssilorLuxottica

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Anterior segment laser lab

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Scleral lens workshop (paraoptometric staff and students)

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

House of Delegates meeting

8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

World Council of Optometry in-person poster session

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

World Council of Optometry Presidents’ Forum

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Industry lunch symposia – Sponsored by Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, and Johnson & Johnson + Hoya

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

AOA+ Leadership Link lunch

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Paraoptometric appreciation luncheon celebration

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Paraoptometric idea exchange

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Alumni receptions

5:00 – 7:00 PM

World Council of Optometry Awards Celebration

7:00 PM

AOSA Optometry Student Bowl XXXIV (sponsored by EssilorLuxottica)

7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Eye Docs of Rock performance

9:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Friday, June 27

Industry breakfast symposia – Sponsored by AbbVie, Bausch + Lomb, and Dompe Field Marketing

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

House of Delegates meeting

8:30 – 11:30 AM

World Council of Optometry in-person poster session

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Industry lunch symposia – Sponsored by Alcon, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson + Tarsus

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

AOA+ Residency Summit

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Career Fair

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

World Council of Optometry and ASCO educators’ forum and accreditation panel

1:00 – 5:00 PM

National Optometry Hall of Fame Induction and AOA Advocacy Awards

4:00 – 5:30 PM

Celebration of Optometry

7:00 – 10:00 PM

Saturday, June 28

AOA Foundation 5K

6:00 AM

Industry breakfast symposia – Sponsored by Bausch + Lomb

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

House of Delegates meeting

8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Industry lunch symposia – Sponsored by Bausch + Lomb

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM