The Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) today announced its 2024 Board of Directors, including a new Board Chair, and reinforces its commitment to raising awareness and promoting a greater understanding of and action to deal with childhood myopia as a treatable disease.
The newly elected GMAC Board Chair is Olga Prenat, Head of Medical and Professional Affairs, Global and EMEA, at EssilorLuxottica. The immediate past chair is Lisa McAlister, current Head of Regional Strategy & Marketing, EMEA, at Johnson & Johnson Vision.
Strengthening Leadership with Diverse Expertise
Additional 2024 GMAC Board Members include:
Enzu Jeon, Senior Director, Global Strategic Marketing, Pediatric Eye Health Stronghold, Johnson & Johnson Vision
François Couillard, CEO, Canadian Association of Optometrists
Jennifer Lambert, Senior Director, Global Myopia Management, CooperVision
Matt Geller, OD, Co-founder & CEO, Eyes on Eyecare
Nitin Jain, President (Americas), Euclid Vision Group
Bill Scott, President, Jobson Healthcare Information
Lori Archer, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Vision
Sandra Block, OD, MED, MPH, President, World Council of Optometry
GMAC’s Mission and Approach
As an industry-led coalition, GMAC was founded with a mission to promote public awareness of childhood myopia as a treatable disease through direct-to-consumer channels and awareness with governments, NGOs, and other health care associations. GMAC does not advocate for specific clinical approaches. Instead, it is designed to stimulate public interest and prompt parental conversations with eye care practitioners.
A Call for Continued Collective Efforts
“I am proud to serve as GMAC Board Chair on behalf of EssilorLuxottica and looking forward to continuing building new awareness programs in 2024. Awareness of myopia has been increasing amongst the general public and eye care professionals, but it still has different levels of maturity across geographies. As a coalition, we need to continue our collective efforts to create impact, especially in increasing parental awareness as they play an essential role in influencing children’s attitudes and lifestyles.”
Olga Prenat, Board Chair, Global Myopia Awareness Coalition
For more information on the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition, visit www.myopiaawareness.org
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) announces the hosting of the 5th World Congress of Optometry (WCO5) in collaboration with the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) during the esteemed 128th Annual AOA Congress & 57th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting® 2025.
The event is set to take place from June 25th to June 28th, 2025, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“It is truly a momentous decision for us, the World Council of Optometry (WCO), to have the opportunity to collaborate with the American Optometric Association (AOA) and American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) at Optometry’s Meeting® in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA in 2025. The AOA is a great leader as they have been a strong advocate for optometry in the United States. WCO has learned a great deal from their leadership over the years.
As WCO focuses on advocacy on the global level, we take the knowledge and lessons learned to build optometry beyond the borders of North America. We look forward to working together with AOA and AOSA to make the 5th World Congress of Optometry one that will deliver great insight and education to help strengthen the profession globally.”
Dr. Sandra S. Block, President, World Council of Optometry
WCO5: A Global Vision for Optometry
At the 5th World Congress of Optometry, attendees can expect a convergence of global perspectives and innovative solutions aimed at realizing the World Council of Optometry’s vision of universal access to high-quality eye health and vision care. With a mission to advance optometry worldwide and champion eye health as a fundamental human right, this partnership will enhance the American Optometric Association’s Optometry’s Meeting with unique experiences.
From thought-provoking presentations to interactive workshops and networking opportunities, participants will engage with leading experts in the field and explore cutting-edge advancements in optometric practice. Through advocacy, education, policy development, and humanitarian outreach, the Congress & Optometry’s Meeting will empower optometrists to play a pivotal role in promoting eye health and vision care for all, fostering a world where everyone can enjoy the benefits of visual health.
“This precedent-setting connection of Optometry’s Meeting with WCO’s World Congress provides us with a unique opportunity to highlight the great collaboration and synergies we have as organizations and as a global optometric community. We look forward to spotlighting and advancing the world of opportunities we have ahead of us as essential and valued eye health care providers.”
Ronald L. Benner, president, American Optometric Association
“As future leaders in optometry, students are excited for this unparalleled chance to engage with global experts through the collaboration of the WCO, AOA, and AOSA. We’re not just preparing for the future of optometry, but actively shaping it to ensure our patients receive the eye care they deserve.”
Emily Benson, President, American Optometric Student Association and student at Ohio State University College of Optometry
Uniting for Vision Care
The AOA, in partnership with the AOSA, represents more than 49,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and optometric professionals. Founded in 1898, the AOA has been instrumental in shaping the field of optometry, emphasizing the critical role of doctors of optometry as primary health care providers in eye and vision care.
Since its establishment in 1968, the AOSA has been committed to equipping optometry students with the essential knowledge required to excel as future doctors of optometry. Over 50 years later, the AOSA continues to be guided by optometry student leaders who represent nearly 7,000 students from 26 schools and colleges across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
For more information about the 5th World Congress of Optometry and Optometry’s Meeting 2025, please email enquiries@worldoptometry.org. Website information to come soon.
Every year for a few short but intensive days of learning, celebration, and networking Academy attracts:
optometry students
exhibitors
clinicians
academics
First, there is a niche for everyone – from students looking to be exposed to knowledge and ongoing technology beyond the scope of what they’ve learned in optometry school and develop a sense of community with fellow students across the continent, to distinguished key opinion leaders (KOLs) in the field looking to share their knowledge and challenge the current established standard, Academy provides a rich environment for connection and growth.
From workshops that actively boost your techniques (perhaps some that haven’t been practiced since optometry school) to rapid-fire sessions that allow for engagement and multiple perspectives on key hot topics, learning opportunities are abundant.
Particularly as a resident in pediatrics and vision therapy, I felt that I was able to actively tackle areas I was lacking in experience, such as glaucoma and ocular trauma.
AAO provides a seamless experience for students – by simply attending lectures, visiting the exhibit hall and poster program, and network at the residency fair and various other functions, I left Academy last year feeling strongly inspired to seek a Fellowship with the AAO.
Every year Academy also hosts Alumni receptions for each optometry school – this is one of the few events where alumni and students from the University of Waterloo and Université de Montréal come together to share mutual successes and foster connection between the two Canadian schools.
Navigating Costs: Financial Aid and Awards for Academy Attendees
Second, as a new graduate or resident, registration fees are reduced substantially. The cost of attending a conference can be financially intensive, which can make the decision to attend a difficult one.
But being able to obtain an entire cycle’s worth of CE credits within one conference is not something to scoff at, and Academy certainly fits the bill. On top of this, travel fellowships and awards are constantly being offered to residents and optometrists alike to attend Academy!
I had the privilege this year of receiving Allergan’s travel fellowship offered to Residents, which not only allowed me to subsidize some of my costs as a Canadian but also allowed me to network with fellow residents during Allergan’s awards reception and Resident Practitioner Reception.
The FAAO Fellowship: Cultivating a Community
Finally, Academy fosters a sense of community and lifelong learning through its’ Fellowship program. The FAAO is an internationally recognized title designating an optometrist as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Adding letters to your professional title aside, this designation is an opportunity for new graduates to set personal goals to further develop their career.
Particularly in light of the pandemic, a sense of community was certainly lacking throughout my time in optometry school as lockdowns had hit hardest during my second and third year.
Visiting Academy both as a student and now-resident reinvigorated this sense of community which I had so desperately needed during the isolation of studying for board examinations and staying at home, connecting me with optometrists and students all around the nation.
The Path To Fellowship at Academy
With a 50-point program involving poster presentations and case reports, optometrists can become a Fellow within the span of one to three years. This allows clinicians to not only get a foot in the door in contributing to optometry as an ever-growing profession, but also allows for valuable feedback and communication with other optometrists.
Existing Fellows help to mentor and support upcoming Fellows (or Candidates) and inspire further intraprofessional collaboration. For instance, this year alone my mentor, Dr. Emily Gottschalk (a 2022 UW OD graduate) obtained her Fellowship, as well as my former clinic supervisor, Dr. Jonathan Niavis (a 2019 UW OD graduate).
Their journey as well as those of other Fellows at the University of Waterloo have inspired me to become a Candidate and seek Fellowship!
For those who may be daunted by the idea of poster presentations and case reports, keep in mind these submissions are not something that requires years of experience as an optometrist. Both novel and well-established cases alike have a place in Academy’s scientific and poster programs, and can also lead to further publications in Journals such as Clinical and Refractive Optometry.
Jenny Lee is a current resident in Pediatrics and Vision Therapy at the University of Waterloo. She obtained her optometry degree in 2023 from the Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science. Originally from Vancouver, BC, Jenny is an avid hiker, painter, and enjoys paddleboarding making Instagram reels in her spare time.
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The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
