American Academy Of Optometry

What American Academy Of Optometry does

The American Academy of Optometry is a 501-aligned nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1922 and headquartered in Winter Park, FL (with a brief Orlando mailing reference in third-party data). It serves the optometric profession by credentialing clinicians, delivering continuing education, publishing peer-reviewed research, and convening researchers, educators, students and industry partners. Its core offerings are the Fellowship (FAAO) program — requiring peer-reviewed written works and oral examination — and ten Section-based Diplomate distinctions covering specialties from Cornea/Contact Lenses and Glaucoma to Vision Science. Membership encompasses approximately 10% of US practicing optometrists, expanded to 70+ countries via international chapters. Education is delivered through an annual Academy meeting rotating across major US convention centers (Anaheim 2026, Boston 2025, Indianapolis 2024, etc.), supplemented in 2026 by two new focused one-day summits: the Retina Summit (Indianapolis, April 18, 2026) and the Myopia Summit (St. Louis, June 27, 2026). The 2026 Anaheim meeting features 300+ hours of COPE-accredited CE and an exhibit hall with 170+ companies.

The Academy publishes two peer-reviewed journals — Optometry and Vision Science (the field's authoritative journal) and Clinical Insights in Eyecare — distributed via the Members Dashboard. Its research/credentialing infrastructure is anchored by the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF), a 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm founded in 1947 that channels industry contributions (e.g., EssilorLuxottica's $300,000 OD/PhD scholarship contribution and Meta Reality Labs Research's $1.5M open-science myopia grant) into Ezell Fellowships, research grants, and student travel awards. In November 2024 it was designated a Cochrane Eyes and Vision (CEV) Center for Evidence-based Vision Care, formalizing systematic review activity (CEV@US: 38 Fellows in six writing groups initially, expanded to 64 in 2024). The Academy also operates a Career Center job board, a Fellow and Diplomate Directory searchable by geography and specialty, and chapter structures across the US and internationally. It does not operate a technology product platform; underlying digital infrastructure is functional delivery, not a monetizable tech stack.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit membership revenue mix: (1) recurring annual membership dues from Fellows, Candidates, students, residents and other categories; (2) annual meeting registration fees (early-bird and standard tiers) and exhibit-hall/sponsorship revenue, the largest revenue event of the year; (3) non-member and institutional subscriptions to Optometry and Vision Science and Clinical Insights in Eyecare; (4) AAOF donations and industry grants (EssilorLuxottica, Meta); (5) Career Center employer postings; and (6) the new 2026 specialty summit registrations ($299 members / $399 non-members). Customer segments are optometrists (primary), vision scientists, optometry students/residents, and industry partners. Pricing for dues is not publicly disclosed; meeting and summit pricing is tiered and disclosed. Industry concentration exists at the AAOF sponsor level (EssilorLuxottica, Meta are named anchor partners), but operating revenue is broadly distributed across thousands of individual member dues payers and meeting attendees. Leadership transitioned in 2025 from Immediate Past President Susan Cotter to President Jeff Walline, with Trish Shomion serving as CEO; governance is by an elected Board of Directors drawn from the Fellow membership.

Name

American Academy Of Optometry

Legal name

American Academy of Optometry

Website

https://aaopt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The American Academy of Optometry is a nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1922 that credentiales optometrists through Fellowship (FAAO) and Diplomate programs, delivers COPE-accredited continuing education, publishes peer-reviewed journals, and operates an affiliated 501(c)(3) Foundation funding vision research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Membership Organization (Optometry)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA), Accreditation Coordination, Recognition & Meta-Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAH)

Keywords

• Optometric continuing education
• Professional fellowship credentialing
• Vision science research
• Optometry membership association
• Peer-reviewed optometry journals

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from Fellows, Candidates for Fellowship, students, residents, and other member categories. Fellows represent approximately 10% of practicing optometrists in the United States.
2. Annual Meeting Registration: Registration fees for the annual Academy meeting, with tiered pricing for early-bird and standard rates, plus exhibit hall and sponsorship revenues. Academy 2026 Anaheim and Academy 2025 Boston are primary revenue-generating events offering 300+ hours of continuing education.
3. Journals and Publications: The Academy publishes Optometry and Vision Science (OVS) journal and Clinical Insights in Eyecare peer-reviewed journal. Fellows and Candidates receive complimentary access; non-member subscriptions and institutional access likely generate revenue.
4. Foundation Grants and Donations: The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF), the 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm, receives contributions from industry partners (e.g., EssilorLuxottica's $300,000 contribution) and distributes scholarships, fellowships, and research grants.
5. Career Center / Job Board: The Academy operates a Career Center job board accessible at careers.aaopt.org, providing a platform for employers to post optometry-related positions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The American Academy of Optometry is a professional membership association that provides optometrists with continuing education, peer-reviewed scientific publishing, Fellowship (FAAO) and Diplomate credentialing, and an annual meeting. It also operates a 501(c)(3) foundation (AAOF) that funds vision science research, scholarships, and fellowships, and provides a Career Center job board plus a searchable Fellow and Diplomate directory for the optometric profession.

Product overview

The American Academy of Optometry is a professional membership organization for optometric professionals founded in 1922, offering a platform of interconnected products and services centered on advancing optometric practice through education, research, and fellowship. The core offerings include two peer-reviewed journals (Optometry and Vision Science and Clinical Insights in Eyecare), annual meetings with over 300 hours of continuing education, Fellowship (FAAO) and Diplomate certification programs, ten professional Sections and Special Interest Groups, a searchable Fellow/Diplomate Directory, a Career Center, and travel fellowships for students and residents. The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF), its 501(c)(3) arm founded in 1947, provides research funding through Ezell Fellowships and major grants including the $1.5M Myopia Research Grant partnership with Meta Reality Labs. The Academy also hosts specialized summits including the Myopia Summit and Retina Summit for focused continuing education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• American Academy of Optometry Foundation: 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm that develops and provides financial support for optometric research and education in vision and eye health to improve clinical patient care. Founded in 1947.

Products and services

• Optometry and Vision Science Journal The authoritative peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Optometry covering current developments in optometry, visual optics, and eye and vision science. Academy Fellows and Candidates for Fellowship have complimentary access through the Members Dashboard.
• Clinical Insights in Eyecare Journal A peer-reviewed online journal of the American Academy of Optometry that publishes original case reports pertinent to clinical eye care.
• Annual Academy Meeting The premier annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry offering over 300 hours of continuing education, scientific papers and posters, section symposia, hands-on workshops, and certification programs in lasers, surgical procedures, and aesthetics.
• Fellowship Program (FAAO) A prestigious fellowship designation requiring completion of a candidacy process including peer-reviewed written works submission and oral examination. Fellows gain the right to use FAAO credentials.
• Diplomate Program An advanced distinction for Fellows demonstrating extensive skill in specific areas through ten Section-based Diplomate programs including Anterior Segment, Binocular Vision, Cornea/Contact Lenses, Glaucoma, Low Vision, and Vision Science.
• Academy Sections and Special Interest Groups Ten professional sections providing forum for member discussions, professional enhancement, and recognition including Anterior Segment, Binocular Vision, Comprehensive Eye Care, Cornea/Contact Lenses, Glaucoma, Low Vision, Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease, Optometric Education, Public Health, and Vision Science.
• Fellow and Diplomate Directory An online searchable directory allowing location-based searches for Fellows and Diplomates by state, country, ZIP code radius, and specialty section.
• Career Center An online job search and posting platform for optometric professionals with job search and employer posting capabilities.
• Student and Resident Travel Fellowships Travel fellowship awards supporting student and resident members to attend the Academy's annual meeting, with application windows typically open June through August.
• American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) The 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm founded in 1947 that develops and provides financial support for optometric research and education in vision and eye health to improve clinical patient care, including Ezell Fellowships and research grants.
• Academy 2026 Anaheim The upcoming annual meeting scheduled September 30 - October 3, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center featuring over 300 hours of CE, scientific presentations, and exhibit hall.
• 2026 Myopia Summit A focused one-day program on myopia management providing 6.5 hours of COPE-accredited CE with evidence-based strategies for clinical practice, scheduled June 27, 2026, in St. Louis, MO.
• 2026 Retina Summit A focused continuing education program dedicated to advancing clinical knowledge in retinal disease with 6.5 hours of CE, scheduled April 18, 2026, in Indianapolis, IN.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record 329 new Fellows welcomed at Academy 2025 Boston, with 11 Diplomates earned
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cochrane Eyes and Vision (CEV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2024The Academy was recognized as a Cochrane Eyes and Vision (CEV) Center for Evidence-based Vision Care during Academy 2024 Indianapolis. Through the CEV@US program, 38 Academy Fellows divided into six writing groups developed systematic reviews on critical clinical topics in eye health. Two reviews were published and four were pending peer review by end of 2024. A new cohort of 64 Fellows began training in 2024.
• Meta Reality Labs ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 2024The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) partnered with Meta Reality Labs Research to fund a $1.5 million open-science myopia research initiative, providing three awards of $500,000 each to longitudinal studies of quantified visual experience and myopia outcomes. Researchers must make publications and data publicly available per FAIR data principles. Recipients announced May 2026: Ranjay Chakraborty (Flinders University), Safal Khanal (University of Alabama at Birmingham), and Xiaoying Zhu (State University of New York).
• National Eye Institute (NEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEI founded the CEV@US program (Cochrane's division dedicated to eye and vision care). NEI's director Michael Chiang, MD, provided special remarks at the CEV Center recognition symposium. NEI's 2026-2031 Strategic Plan development includes Academy member input via RFI and webinar participation.
• National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR) / Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Academy is a member of NAEVR/AEVR and participates in the Protecting the National Eye Institute's Independence Coalition, advocating against consolidation of NEI into a broader neuroscience institute and for NEI funding. The Academy encourages members to contact Congress via NAEVR/AEVR's campaign #SeeWhatMatters.
• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAOphth)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Academy and AAOphth jointly issued a statement on cosmetic contact lenses (2025 revision) and are collaborating in the Protecting NEI Independence Coalition alongside ARVO, AUPO, and NAEVR/AEVR to oppose NEI consolidation and protect vision research funding.
• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARVO is a partner in the Protecting the National Eye Institute's Independence Coalition. Ezell Fellowship recipients receive travel grants to attend both the Academy's annual meeting and the ARVO meeting. Both organizations advance vision research through complementary programs.
• American Optometric Association (AOA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Academy partners with AOA on advocacy efforts, including contacting Congress about NEI funding and vision plan abuses. AOA's Contact Congress portal enables Academy members to send letters to legislators on key issues.
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Academy is a sponsor of the NASEM report 'Myopia: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment of an Increasingly Common Disease.' Academy Fellows Donald Mutti and Katherine Weise served as representatives on the NASEM panel, and multiple Fellows contributed commissioned papers to the report.
• Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEDIG is an NIH/NEI-funded clinical research network of 350+ pediatric optometrists and ophthalmologists performing randomized clinical trials on pediatric eye disorders. Academy Fellow Susan Cotter serves as co-Chair of PEDIG.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Dental Association: Large healthcare professional membership association with journals, CE, advocacy, and credentialing. Comparable as a healthcare professional-association operating model, though serving dentists rather than optometrists.
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: Larger professional association serving ophthalmologists with continuing education, journals (Ophthalmology), advocacy, and clinical guidelines. Comparable as a peer-eye-care professional membership organization, but broader in scope and serving the surgical/medical MD side rather than optometry's primary-care scope.
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Large scientific advisory body with which the Academy partners on the NASEM Myopia report. Comparable as a scientific-research convening and dissemination organization, though at vastly greater scale and broader scope.
• American Medical Association: Largest US physician membership association with education, journals (JAMA), advocacy, and credentialing infrastructure. Comparable as a healthcare professional-association model serving a different but adjacent medical profession.

Direct peers

• American Optometric Association: The largest US optometric membership association, offering advocacy, education, and member services to practicing optometrists. Closest functional peer to the Academy within US optometry, differentiated primarily by AOA's broader mandatory-membership advocacy focus versus the Academy's elite credentialing and research positioning.
• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO): Premier global scientific association for vision researchers and clinicians. Directly comparable as a vision-science membership organization with annual meetings, peer-reviewed journals, and research funding — overlapping heavily with the Academy's research and vision-scientist member base.
• World Council of Optometry: Global optometric membership and advocacy body representing optometrists worldwide. Directly comparable in mission (advancing optometry as a profession globally), with overlapping international chapter footprint and member base.

Regional players

• College of Optometrists (UK): UK chartered body for optometrists providing professional membership, education, and clinical standards. Directly comparable in membership-association model and credentialing role, but focused on UK/Commonwealth rather than US/global optometry.
• Optometry Australia: Peak professional body for Australian optometrists, providing membership, continuing education, and advocacy. Comparable membership-association model and member services, but geographically focused on Australia.

Others

• Cochrane Eyes and Vision: International research network producing systematic reviews in eye and vision care. Functions as both a strategic partner (the Academy is a designated CEV Center) and a thematic peer in evidence-based vision research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aaopt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@aaopt
• Facebookfacebook.com/AAOPT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aaopt
• Instagraminstagram.com/aaopt

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Academy Of Optometry