VEW 2024: The Vision Council Foundation empowers consumers and develops the optical workforce

Commentary
Video

The Vision Council Foundation provides unbiased vision care information for consumers, addresses workforce shortages through scholarship programs, and provides free educational resources for eye care providers.

Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council, discussed the launch of the The Vision Council Foundation to better empower consumers with unbiased vision care information and promote workforce development opportunities. The Vision Council Foundation aims to enhance consumer awareness of annual eye exams, vision correction options, and lifestyle products through educational resources. Turnkey marketing materials on timely topics like myopia management are provided free for eye care providers to customize and use locally, while the Foundation amplifies key messages nationally.

A critical focus is the "Opening Your Eyes" scholarship program, which provides funding for students from diverse backgrounds to attend accredited opticianry schools. Over two years, 28 students have graduated with the Foundation's support. Scholarship recipients are also matched with Vision Council-affiliated companies for internships and jobs, addressing the shortage of opticians and optometrists.

Mills highlighted the Foundation's role in educating consumers on all benefits of vision care and equating it with general health. Non-branded resources are made available for professionals to share with patients. Plans are underway to develop and distribute materials around vision safety and night driving for the upcoming darker months in the autumn and winter.

Looking ahead, Mills announced the upcoming move of Vision Expo East to Orlando next February. Attendees can expect to learn details about the new event format soon. Eye care providers and professionals are encouraged to utilize free resources on The Vision Council Foundation website and promote the information to patients. Through educational outreach and workforce development initiatives, the Foundation aims to support both consumers and the optical industry.

Recent Videos
Danica Marrelli, OD, FAAO, at Glaucoma 360 discussing visual field testing for patients with glaucoma
Jeffrey Walline, OD, PhD, FAAO, gives an overview of the AAO's 2024 and what to expect in 2025 and beyond.
Abby Gillogly Harsch, OD, FAAO, FSLS, shares a specific complex case of scleral lens fitting that she presented on at this year's GSLS.
Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, values the ophthalmic-optometric collaboration on display at the summit, running from February 14-17, 2025 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
EnVision Summit Cochair Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, says that attendees should get ready for more discussion-based panels at this year's conference.
From contact lens dropout to addressing diabetic retinopathy in rural communities, optometrists choose an area of eye care research that they would expand, given the appropriate resources.
Bonnie An Henderson in an interview for the EnVision Summit
From new treatments on the horizon for macular degeneration to strengthening comanagement ties, optometrists cite a lot to be excited about in the coming year.
EnVision Summit cofounder and program chair Dr Bonnie Henderson chats about collaborative eye care
Bonnie An Henderson in an interview for the EnVision Summit
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.