INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE Just one reason to be a member of the

American Optometric Association and your state association.

AOA MEMBER BENEFITS GUIDE

2015

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Members of the American Optometric Association (AOA) and your state association speak your language, and share a common bond and a loyalty to the optometric profession. When you’re an association member, you’re part of our family – the family of optometry.

TOP REASONS TO BE A MEMBER

ADVOCACYEnsure your voice is heard.

FACT: We are stronger collectively thanany one of us is alone.

Advocacy means ensuring you can practice your profession and get paid fairly for your services.

The AOA and your state association arethe only organizations that advocatefor you at the federal and state levels,resulting in:

• Maximized patient access• Advanced scope of practice• Fair and reasonable reimbursement• A unified voice for the profession

PRACTICE GROWTHPosition yourself for even greater success.

FACT: Optometry is about innovation, adaption and speed of change.

Practice growth means you are positionednow and in the future for success.

Visit www.excelod.com and discover:• Optometry’s Career Center®

• Practice transition and advisory • Practice finance• Liability and business insurance• Group insurance• Health information technology

PRACTICE EFFICIENCYIncrease your revenue while reducing costs.

FACT: Nearly one in four optometristssay they are not busy enough and couldsee more patients1.

Practice efficiency means putting more patients in the chair.

Membership in the AOA and your state association means instant access to innovative tools, optometric specific resources, skill-enhancing continuing education, and OD experts to help build your practice with:• Income-producing practice protocols• Reinforced clinical knowledge• Tips on creating a competitive advantage• Increased patient traffic and referrals

NETWORKINGExpand your career while helping others.

FACT: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of jobs are gained through networking.

Networking helps you:• Advance your career• Expand clinical knowledge• Gain new experience• Discover best practices

COMMUNITY SERVICE &VOLUNTEERISMGive back and make a difference.

FACT: Association members make adifference through the AOA’s VISION USA,InfantSEE® and Healthy Eyes HealthyPeople® programs.

Community service and volunteerism means making a difference in your neighborhood and beyond.

• Expanding patient education and protection

• Participating in public service programs to help children, families and seniors

• Increasing public awareness on the importance of eye care to overall health

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www.aoa.org

PARAOPTOMETRIC RESOURCE CENTERGive your practice a competitive edge.

FACT: Trained staff will enhance patient satisfaction and increase the potential of additional referrals and practice revenue.

The Paraoptometric Resource Center (PRC) supports both practice growth and efficiency by giving you an edge in the rapidly changing optometric profession.

• Your AOA membership includes access to PRC member benefits for your staff at no additional membership dues cost to you or your staff.

• Your paraoptometric staff will benefit from the latest training and development tools.

• You’ll save money on staff training materials with member discount pricing.

• Increasing your staff’s knowledge of paraoptometry will improve job satisfaction and retention.

Enroll your staff today! Visit www.aoa.org/paraoptometrics or email PRC@aoa.org for details. Membership in the AOA and your state

association is critical to achieving and maintaining optometry’s strength and protecting your profession for today and tomorrow.

1 Survey of Optometric Practice, Practicing Optometrists & Their Patients, 2012

EXPERTS TO HELP BUILD YOUR PRACTICE!

Affordable Care Act/Health Care Reform Your AOA’s advocacy campaign to make vision and eye health

care issues a top priority yielded major advances, including the recognition of OD-provided care as essential, creation of a new vision and eye health care benefit for children, and the establishment of new safeguards banning health plan discrimination against ODs.

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AOA VICTORY

Your membership, involvement and commitment to the cause of optometry has made us strong and is central as we continue to improve access to essential eye care services in 2015 and beyond. Led by your AOA and state associations/affiliates, scope of practice was expanded and powerful new pro-doctor insurance laws were enacted. Enjoy this look back at optometry victories as you join us and your state association/affiliate in redoubling our efforts for the year ahead to safeguard patients, advance our practices and further strengthen our profession.

HOW THIS BENEFITS YOU AND THE PROFESSION

ADVOCACY • Barring Health Plan Discrimination

The AOA-backed provider non-discrimination law took effect, leveling the playing field by forcing health plans to end OD discrimination and expand inclusion of ODs on medical panels.

• Optometric Care Deemed Essential Millions of children gained coverage for essential vision and eye health care and materials ODs provide through the hard-won children’s vision care essential health insurance benefit.

• Vision and Eye Health Benefit Integration For the first time, the federal government is requiring private payers to cover eye exams and materials for children and is linking medical eye care and vision care together under the same plan.

YOUR AOA: WORKING FOR YOUAOA VICTORIES JULY 2013 – JUNE 2014

Expanded ScopeLed by state associations/affiliates and supported by your AOA, OD prescribing authority

has been safeguarded and expanded, broadening scope of practice to ensure access to care, and rolling back unfair health plan practices by giving ODs new contracting rights.

Full Inclusion and Fair Treatment in Federal Programs Your AOA continues fighting to protect optometry’s

Medicare physician status to help ODs gain bonus payments under incentive programs, and ensure fair treatment for ODs and expanded access through federal programs.

www.aoa.org

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AOA VICTORY HOW THIS BENEFITS YOU AND THE PROFESSION

• Massive Medicare Pay Cut Averted Nearly a 25 percent cut in OD payments was prevented, and ODs are now collectively earning more than $1 billion in Medicare reimbursements.

• Making the Most of EHR Payment Incentives ODs were included as providers for Medicare electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments and have secured more than $250 million in this program and more than $1.3 million in Medicaid EHR incentives.

• Ensuring Access to Care Inclusion of optometry-provided vision services as part of $300 million in new funding helps health centers expand hours, hire providers, and establish vision services.

• Preserving OD Prescribing Authority Expanded OD prescribing authority for oral steroids, glaucoma drugs, immunosuppressant medications and preserving authority for ODs to prescribe hydrocodone-combination drugs.

• Expanding Scope of Practice and Access to Care OD prescriptive authority was enhanced and certain eye care procedures were added to the list of surgeries ODs already provide to patients.

• Leveling the Playing Field with Health and Vision Plans New OD contracting rights were established, OD prerequisites for serving on medical panels were eliminated, and vision plan ability to force ODs to offer discounts on non-covered services and materials were eradicated.

OD PRESCRIBING AUTHORITY HAS BEEN SAFEGUARDED AND EXPANDED

ENSURING FAIR TREATMENT FOR ODS

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Full-Scope Optometric Care Your AOA has been working to convince health benefits payers and purchasers, including

large self-insured employers and their benefits consultants, and national and regional health plan leaders, of the importance of full-scope optometric care and the inclusion of comprehensive vision and eye health examinations as a core benefit in medical insurance and ERISA plans.

• Inclusion of ODs as Medical Eye Care Providers A growing number of plans, including large national plans such as Cigna and sizeable self-insured plans such as General Motors, have recognized the importance of adding ODs to their health care networks, giving millions of patients new access to medical eye care.

• Going on Offense with the Federal Non-Discrimination Law Successfully ended unfair treatment of ODs and their patients by health plans, including self-insured ERISA plans.

• Helping Health Plan Officials reThink Eyecare Providing educational materials to payers, purchasers, and patients with practical solutions to bring improved access to primary eye care services, accurate diagnosis and treatment, and enhanced continuity of care – leading to better patient outcomes and cost savings.

YOUR AOA: WORKING FOR YOUAOA VICTORIES JULY 2013 – JUNE 2014

AOA VICTORY HOW THIS BENEFITS YOU AND THE PROFESSION

WORKING FOR FULL-SCOPE OPTOMETRIC CARE

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www.aoa.org

AOA VICTORY HOW THIS BENEFITS YOU AND THE PROFESSION

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT/TECHNOLOGY

Your AOA efforts enabled Medicare EHR incentives in 10 states, and Medicare EHR incentives to optometrists topped $56

million. Your AOA updated HIPAA regulations: What ODs Need to Know, and launched the new AOA.org website. Your AOA also:• Continued to offer Compass, checklist

for students and new practitioners.• Built communications platforms to

deliver critical news when and where you need it.

• Expanded AOAExcel® and the AOA Marketplace, providing you with career coaching, coding resources and other useful services.

• Cutting edge resources keep you updated on what matters most

• Increased practice revenue • Improved patient care

EVIDENCE-BASED GUIDELINES

Updating and expanding member resources, your AOA made the shift to evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

resulting in: • Better patient care for your diabetic

patients• Greater patient and public education

about eye care• Cutting edge information at a glance in

electronic, searchable formats• Follows Institute of Medicine

recommendations for guidelines

• Gives strong and reliable clinical recommendations to all health care providers

• Informs and educates your patients and the public about the importance of eyecare

(Continued on next page)

MEDICARE EHR INCENTIVES TO OPTOMETRISTS TOPPED $56 MILLION

YOUR AOA: WORKING FOR YOUAOA VICTORIES JULY 2013 – JUNE 2014

NATIONAL EYE CARE WORKFORCE STUDY

Jointly launched by the AOA and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), designed to help answer

important questions about how America’s eye health needs will be met over the next decade and beyond.• Considered to be the most ambitious,

comprehensive and forward-looking study of eye care supply and demand ever undertaken.

• Shows demographic trends, public health and policy factors and how these factors, along with expansions in health insurance coverage are projected to contribute to and increasing demand for optometric services.

AOA VICTORY HOW THIS BENEFITS YOU AND THE PROFESSION

• Shows the need for ODs will continue through 2025.

• Recognizes ODs as providers of eye health and medical services, including diagnosis, treatment and management of an array of diseases and disorders, which will be increasingly needed by Americans in the years to come.

Helps current paraoptometrics become certified and encourages more people to choose paraoptometry as a profession, resulting in: • Improved practice efficiency • Better patient care • Increased staff retention • A competitive advantage

PARAOPTOMETRIC RESOURCE CENTER

New Paraoptometric Resource Center announced, all AOA member ODs can enroll their staff at no

additional cost.• Created membership and educational

opportunities for your staff.• Nearly 8,000 paraoptometrics were

enrolled as AOA associate members by almost 2,000 ODs across the country.

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ALL AOA MEMBERS CAN ENROLL STAFF AT NO ADDITIONAL COST

AOA & ASCO HELP ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT FUTURE EYE HEALTH NEEDS

www.aoa.org

OPTOMETRY PUBLIC AWARENESS

From educating your patients and the public about the importance of timely vision and eye health care to warning

them about the dangers of Internet “eye exams,” ordering glasses online and purchasing decorative contact lenses illegally, your AOA and state associations/affiliates have worked harder than ever to help you grow your practice.• The flagship Ready for School

campaign was seen in all 50 states through 1,318 media outlets, generating 271 million media audience impressions, the highest ever.

• Over the last 10 years AOA public awareness campaigns have increased optometry mentions until they outnumbered mentions of ophthalmology by 30 percent annually.

• Nationwide TV, radio, Internet and print advertising campaign “Think About Your Eyes” helped increase eye exams by more than 9 percent in the first quarter alone.

AOA VICTORY HOW THIS BENEFITS YOU AND THE PROFESSION

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• Practice growth• More patients in the chair• Better informed consumers about the

importance of annual eye exams and optometry

YOUR AOA AND STATE ASSOCIATIONS/AFFILIATES HAVE WORKED HARDER THAN EVER TO HELP GROW YOUR PRACTICE

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PRACTICE GROWTH

This business unit of the AOA has whatyou need for your practice to thrive andgrow, including:• AOA Group Insurance – life, long-term

disability, cancer care, long-term care, and emergency assistance – all at group rates

• AOA Malpractice Insurance• Cyber Liability and Business Insurance• Optometry’s Career Center®

• Education Loans & Loan Consolidation• Health Information Technology• Practice Finance• Practice Pathways – essential knowledge

to successfully buy or sell a practice• Retirement Planning Services

To view a complete list of services, visit www.ExcelOD.com.

Paraoptometric Resource CenterYour AOA membership includes membership to the AOA Paraoptometric Resource Center at no additional cost. You and your staff can access an extensive selection of courses, study guides, seminars, lectures and periodical resources to build the skills of your staff. Topics include clinical procedures, practice management, pretesting, contact lens technologies, billing/coding, and eyewear dispensing. Learn more at www.aoa.org/paraoptometrics.

Resource Guide for the Employed/Affiliated OptometristA valuable member benefit with information relating to lease agreements, contract negotiations and business management for the independent contractor, leaseholder, or franchisee optometrist. Visit www.aoa.org, go to the optometrists tab, then membership, then member benefits and services.

PRACTICE EFFICIENCYEyeLearn™Easy-to-use centralized online learningresource where you can search for continuing education (CE), have access to webinars and board certification preparation information, and find Optometry’s Meeting® CE archives. Visit www.aoa.org/eyelearn.

AOA WebsiteDedicated to serving you in meeting the eye care needs of the public, the AOA website keeps you up to date on issues that matter to you and the profession. Visit www.aoa.org.

Patient Education MaterialsPamphlets and fact sheets, displays and vision simulators, unique gallery frames and prints to educate patients about eye diseases and conditions. Ordering is easy and can be done 24/7 through the AOA Marketplace at www.aoa.org/marketplace.

Membership in the AOA and your state association provides professional and personal benefits to help you grow your practice through planning, business and marketing basics, management, development and staff training, communication and outreach, patient care and more.

AOA MEMBER BENEFITS

AOA Focus offers background and perspective; stories about individual members – their practices, challenges and successes; photos and infographics; and quick and easy tips and roundups designed to improve your practice. Watch for your copy, and for daily updates, visit www.aoa.org/news.

AOA Newsmagazine PutsOptometry in Focus

In a recent survey of AOA members, 92.7 percent of respondents said they think favorably of AOA Focus.

AOA Focus offers background and perspective; stories about individual members – their practices, challenges and successes; photos and infographics; and quick and easy tips and roundups designed to improve your practice. Watch for your copy, and for daily updates, visit www.aoa.org/news.

AOA Newsmagazine PutsOptometry in Focus

In a recent survey of AOA members, 92.7 percent of respondents said they think favorably of AOA Focus.

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AOA MEMBER BENEFITS

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EVIDENCE-BASED PATIENT CARE

Optometric Clinical Practice Guidelines Developed and reviewed by an interdisciplinary panel of OD experts, specialists, patients and patient advocates, this AOA essential patient care resource combines evidence-based research with expert clinical opinion to recommend appropriate steps in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients with various eye and vision conditions. Learn more at www.aoa.org/evidence.

PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT/OUTREACH

Promotion/Public Relations AssistancePromote your practice with customizable news releases, presentations, and kits that coincide with AOA optometry awareness campaigns. For more information, send an email to publicrelations@aoa.org.

Branded Marketing MaterialsKeep your credentials and practice name up front with stationery, business cards, plaques, name badges and signage. The AOA Marketplace offers printed educational pamphlets and fact sheets — many with customized branding options, at member discount prices. Order at www.aoa.org/marketplace.

Doctor Locator/Find a DoctorEnhance your practice and help prospective patients quickly find you through the AOA’s online optometrist directory, “Find a Doctor.” To view your “Find a Doctor” listing and update your profile, visit www.aoa.org. After logging in, go to “Optometrists” and then select

“My Profile” in the drop down menu. Enhance your practice by adding your credentials, area of specialization and services provided.

AOA Sections – Special-Interest Programs in Contact Lens and Cornea, Sports Vision, Vision Rehabilitation Promote your expertise to local schools, hospitals, community centers or industry. Stay abreast of clinical and technological advancements through membership in one or all three AOA special interest sections. Each offers resources you can translate into marketing and practice promotional opportunities. Learn more and join at www.aoa.org/sections.

Hispanic MarketingHispanics have a predisposition to early onset diabetes and obesity and a history of hypertension, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Overcome cultural and language barriers with educational tools and resources in English and Spanish. Visit www.aoa.org/marketplace.

Pediatric and Binocular (3-D) VisionViewing in 3-D can be a good way todetect underlying, and often undetected, vision problems. Incorporate the use of static stereoscopic testing, education, and vision therapy into your practice. Resources include vision therapy fact sheets, 3-D news, research and patient education. Learn more at www.3deyehealth.org.

Position Yourself forEven Greater Success.

www.OptometrysCareerCenter.com | Offer expires 12/31/15

GET 10% OFFYOUR OCC

JOB POSTING.Enter promo code: AOAMEM2015

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For a limited time, take advantage of our Optometry’s Career Center®

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14AOA054-OCC_Ad-5.5x8.5-revised.indd 1 11/18/14 11:48 AM

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AOA MEMBER BENEFITS

pricing for your TAYE practice listing, and can add multiple AOA member OD names at no additional cost. Sign up at www.thinkaboutyoureyes.com/aoa.

NETWORKING

Optometry’s Career Center®

National, online database and career-matching service helps ODs find jobs, partners or candidates in the optometric field across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Learn more at www.optometryscareercenter.org.

Social Media ChannelsConnect with the AOA!

COMMUNITY SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM

Optometry’s Fund for Disaster ReliefIn the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the AOA and Optometry Cares® - The AOA Foundation created Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief to provide immediate financial relief to optometrists in need. Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief has changed the lives of many optometrists by providing immediate financial relief for critical and urgent needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter. Application and grant criteria are available at

OTHER RESOURCES

AOA.org/newsUpdated with a new story each day,www.aoa.org/news brings your association—and the profession’s— news to you where you want it: on your computer, smartphone or tablet.

AOA Week in Focus E-newsletterThis weekly update offers more in depthinformation on AOA activities and news.

AOA Focus This newsmagazine offers more background and perspective, more stories about individual members—their practices, challenges and successes, and more quick and easy tips and round-ups. Visit www.aoa.org/news.

AOA First LookA daily email digest that provides an immediate, unfiltered look at news from various national sources that affects you and your patients.

Think About Your Eyes (TAYE)TAYE is a nationwide, multi-million dollar TV, radio, print and Internet advertising campaign that educates Americans on the need for better vision health, encourages them to schedule an eye exam, and helps them find an eye doctor. As an AOA member, you receive special

AOA aoaweb@AOAConnect

INVEST IN YOUR FUTUREADVOCACY EFFICIENCY NETWORK AOA & YOU

GROWTH RESOURCES SERVICE

Build confidence and patient referrals.Enroll your staff today!

New Paraoptometric Resource CenterNow included at no additional costin your AOA membershipImprove practice efficiency and patient care while increasing staff retention and creating a competitive advantage. Your AOA membership now includes access to the Paraoptometric Resource Center for your optometric staff.• Extensive selection of skill-building tools and complimentary resources• Six hours of free continuing education credit articles• Paraoptometric online courses, study guides, educational seminars

and more

Visit www.aoa.org/paraoptometrics or contact the Paraoptometric Resource Center at PRC@aoa.org for details.

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AOA MEMBER BENEFITS

www.aoafoundation.org.

Healthy Eyes Healthy People®

The AOA and Optometry Cares® – The AOA Foundation, through a generous grant from Luxottica, offer the Healthy Eyes Healthy People® state association grants. The grant program offers an opportunity for optometrists to collaborate with other community resources so that vision care and services are provided and optometry is recognized as a vital component of the health care system. For more information, visit www.aoafoundation.org.

InfantSEE®

InfantSEE®, a public health program managed by Optometry Cares - The AOA Foundation, is designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child’s quality of life. Under this program, AOA optometrists provide a comprehensive

eye and vision assessment for infants within the first year of life regardless of a family’s income or access to insurance coverage. Major supporters are Allergan Foundation, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, OptiCare and the Centene Charitable Foundation, and Care Credit. Learn more at www.infantsee.org.

VISION USAMore than 46 million low-income individuals in the United States cannot afford the cost of routine eye care or do not have the health insurance that covers such exams. VISION USA was established in 1991 to provide basic eye examinations to Americans in need and is currently available in 39 states and Washington, D.C. AOA member optometrists donate their services at no cost. Major supporters are Essilor Vision Foundation and Alcon. Visit www.aoafoundation.org.

Viewing in 3-D can be a good way to detect underlying, and often undetected, vision problems. Learn more at www.3deyehealth.org

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See the Differencewith Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein (loo’-teen) and zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan’-thin) are dietary nutrients that are naturally deposited as a protective layer in the macula, a small spot in the back of the eye responsible for central vision.

Lutein and zeaxanthin work like internal sunglasses protecting the macula from damaging effects of blue light and oxidative stress. Higher macular pigment can improve your ability to react

to bright fl ashes of light or see objects against a similar background—critical to driving at night or enjoying outdoor sports.

Most Americans only get about

of the lutein and zeaxanthin needed

each day from dietary sources.15

10%

aoa.org Continued On Back

Nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining the health of your eyes.

Protect Your Eyes

OrangesCitrus JuicesCitrus Fruits

KaleSpinachCollardsCornGreen PeasBroccoliGreen BeansEggs

NutsForti� ed CerealsSweet Potatoes

Red MeatsForti� ed CerealsMilk

Zeaxanthin9-142

Lutein9-1410

mg/day

mg/day

Vitamin E1,8-10,14

Vitamin C1,8-10,14

400

500mg/day

IU/day

Zinc*1,6,11,14

mg/day

Research has identifi ed essential nutrients that can protect your eyes—keep them healthy, improve quality of vision and reduce the risk of certain eye conditions as you age.1-13 Below are suggested daily intakes,11 which may require supplementation in addition to your diet. Always consult your eye doctor or physician before making changes to your nutrition regimen.

25/80

Zinc supplementation may cause stomach upset and has been known to interfere with copper absorption, so 2 mg/day of copper is strongly recommended for people supplementing their diet with zinc.

*The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for zinc is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women. A zinc dosage 25 mg or higher is for people at high risk for AMD or diagnosed/experiencing early-stage AMD. AREDS2 tested both 25mg/day and 80mg/day of zinc. Based on this study, the National Eye Institute’s recommendation is 80mg/day. There is ongoing research on the effects of Zinc with some genetic profi les and patients with questions should check with their eye care professional.

Your Source for Practice Growth Patient education pamphlets, displays, forms, stationery, coding and reimbursement, HIPAA materials, referral cards, nutrition booklets and more!

Significant Savings for Members!www.aoa.org/marketplace • 800.262.2210

Exclusive Member Discounts!

customizable/imprint options

to promote your practice!

Coding Patient Education

Pamphlets Gallery Prints

simpleany time, any place

earning CE credit is

With the AOA’s EyeLearn™ education portal exclusively for members, you can work toward your professional goals any time, any place. EyeLearn™ is the first-of-its kind learning resource designed to provide the complimentary educational tools you need.

EyeLearn’s full menu of options for every learning style can help you:

• Earn accredited education • Prepare for board certification at no cost • Manage your practice with tools for

e-prescribing and coding • Research clinical findings through Journal

articles and practice guidelines • Test your knowledge with assessments • Find local CE classes

Discover what thousands of AOA members already know! They learn on EyeLearn, 24/7/365. For more information visit www.AOA.org/EyeLearn.

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Join AOA Sections and maximize your membership:• Contact Lens and Cornea Section (CLCS)• Sports Vision Section (SVS)• Vision Rehabilitation Section (VRS)

Stay abreast of clinical and technological advancements with resources you can translate into marketing and practice promotional opportunities at schools, hospitals, community centers or industry.

Complimentary student membership.

Learn more and join today at www.aoa.org/sections.

Vision Rehabilitation

Sports VisionContact Lens and Cornea

AOA Sections: Capitalize on Your Specialty

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Every 17 seconds,someone Is diagnosed

with diabetes.

The AOA canhelp you be ready

to treat them.

Diabetes & Eye HealthPractice Tools, Resources & More

Visit www.aoa.org/diabetes to learn more!20

ORDER YOUR

RESOURCES FOR

ICD-10 NOW!

PREPARE YOUR PRACTICE FOR ICD-10WITH THE OFFICIAL 2015 CODES

FOR OPTOMETRY BUNDLE

Member Price: $170 List Price: $221Visit www.aoa.org/marketplace or call 800.262.2210 for details.

ICD-10 Codes for Optometry digital version also available.

Every 17 seconds,someone Is diagnosed

with diabetes.

The AOA canhelp you be ready

to treat them.

Diabetes & Eye HealthPractice Tools, Resources & More

Visit www.aoa.org/diabetes to learn more!21

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Optometry Cares® is AOA’s own charitable organization committed to expanding eye health and vision care access for everyone in the U.S. in order to enhance human performance and quality of life.

Optometry Cares supports:• VISION USA• InfantSEE®

• Scholarship & Endowment Fund• National Optometry Hall of Fame• Healthy Eyes Healthy People® state grants• Archives & Museum of Optometry• Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief• Camp Courage: A Helen Keller Experience

Your investment ensures that Optometry Cares continues to provide:• Immediate relief to optometrists in the wake of natural disasters• Vision care to Americans in need• Scholarships for optometry students• Preservation of optometry’s history• Public education about the need for a lifetime of vision care

We appreciate your support and thank you for your commitment to the profession.

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.aoafoundation.org.You may also contact Dennis Holter at daholter@aoa.org, Rebecca Hildebrand at rahildebrand@aoa.org, or call 800.365.2219 ext. 4200.

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January World Braille Day: Jan. 4 Celebrates the birthday of Louis Braille

February Wise Health Care Consumer MonthSponsor: The American Institute for Preventive Medicine Website: www.healthylife.com Phone: 800.345.2476 or 248.539.1800

March Save Your Vision MonthSponsor: The American Optometric AssociationWebsite: www.aoa.org Phone: 800.365.2219

National Nutrition MonthSponsor: The Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsWebsite: www.eatright.org Phone: 312.899.0040

Brain Injury Awareness Month Sponsor: The Brain Injury Association of AmericaWebsite: www.biausa.org Phone: 703.761.0750

American Diabetes Association Alert Day® (Held fourth Tuesday of March)Sponsor: American Diabetes AssociationWebsite: www.diabetes.orgPhone: 800.342.2383

April Sjögren’s Awareness MonthSponsor: Sjögren’s Syndrome FoundationWebsite: www.sjogrens.orgPhone: 800.475.6473

National Public Health Week (Held the first full week of April)Sponsor: The American Public Health Association Website: www.apha.orgPhone: 202.777.APHA

2015 CALENDAR OF EYE CARE/HEALTH OBSERVANCES/EVENTS

Promote the importance of regular optometric eye and vision care by participating in some or all of the observances listed below. Please note this list is not necessarily exhaustive, but provides an abbreviated list of those in alignment with AOA outreach and positions. AOA supports individual promotion and participation by optometrists locally. Send an email to publicrelations@aoa.org or call the AOA at 800.365.2219, ext. 4263, if you have any questions. Also, be sure to visit www.aoa.org/events for a complete list of OD-oriented events.

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www.aoa.org

May National Physical Fitness and Sports Month Sponsor: The President’s Council on Fitness and Sports Website: www.fitness.gov Phone: 240.276.9567

Healthy Vision Month Sponsor: The National Eye Institute Website: www.nei.nih.gov Phone: 301.496.5248

National Clean Air Month Sponsor: The American Lung Association Website: www.lung.org Phone: 212.315.8700

June National Safety Month Sponsor: The National Safety Council Website: www.nsc.org/pages/home.aspx Phone: 800.621.7615 or 630.285.1121

August Children’s Vision and Learning Month Sponsor: College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) Website: www.covd.org Phone: 330.995.0718

September Paraoptometric Recognition Week (Held third week of Sept.) Sponsor: The American Optometric Association Website: http://www.aoa.org/paraoptometrics/ membership/awards-and-recognition

Healthy Aging Month Sponsor: National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) Website: www.nei.nih.gov/nehep Phone: 301.496.5248

Fruits & Veggies — More Matters Month Sponsor: Produce for Better Health Foundation Websites: www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org www.pbhfoundation.org Phone: 302.235.2329

November American Diabetes Month®

Sponsor: The American Diabetes Association Website: www.diabetes.org Phone: 800.342.2383

Great American Smokeout (Held third Thursday of Nov.) Sponsor: The American Cancer Society Website: www.cancer.org Phone: 800.227.2345

AOA MISSION: To advocate for the profession and serve optometrists in meeting the

eye care needs of the public.

Thanks for being an AOA member and investing in your future.

Now invite your colleagues to join. For more information, visit www.aoa.org or

check with your state association.

243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Floor 1 | St. Louis, MO 63141-7881 | 800.365.2219 | www.aoa.org

TOP REASONS TO BE A MEMBER