UOA is the only national voice for opticians, advancing the profession through advocacy, education, and a united community.
03/14/2026
The UOA College Bowl, powered by EssilorLuxottica, is a Jeopardy-style competition where students put their knowledge to the test across eye anatomy and physiology, ophthalmic dispensing and fabrication, contact lenses, and optics.
Supporting the next generation of opticians is central to our mission, and it’s exhilarating to see students stepping into the profession with both knowledge and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to our winner from Durham Technical Community College. 👏
Watch the outstanding recap from Vision Expo below.
03/13/2026
At .expo this week?
Stop by Booth #2002 to meet UOA board members and staff and learn about what’s in store for opticians and the future of the profession. 👓
03/13/2026
Vision Expo is underway! 👓
UOA Executive Director Gwen Cooper tested smart eyewear that translates conversations in real time during a meeting with the China Optometric and Optical Association.
Stay tuned as Vision Expo continues!
03/12/2026
Did you catch this incredible session? 👓✨
How are you preparing for the rise of smart eyewear in your practice? Let’s discuss below! 👇
03/08/2026
The clock is ticking! ⏳
You have until Saturday, March 14, to submit your entry for the UOA & McCray Optical Supply Design Challenge.
We are looking for a design that captures the spirit of unity and the future of opticianry. Could your artwork be the one we reveal at the 2026 UOA Leadership Conference this June?
Don't miss your chance to have your work featured at events across the U.S. all year long.
We’re proud to continue partnering with the Opticians Association on this creative initiative that brings leadership, collaboration, and innovation together within the optical industry. 🎨
If you’re a member of the United Opticians Association and would love to participate, this opportunity is for you. With the submission deadline just two weeks away, now is the time to share your creativity and be part of this exciting industry initiative.
A special thank you to Bob Alexander and Gwen Cooper for helping make this possible. We’re looking forward to seeing the designs and talent this competition will showcase.
Course Title: Bringing Passion Into Focus: Seeing Your Career Through New Lenses
Instructor: Kelly Rosemann, North America Business Development Manager, Horizons Optical
Description: Passion may inspire you to enter the optical industry, but continuous learning is what keeps that passion alive. This course explores how curiosity and personal growth shape motivation, fulfillment, and success.
You will rediscover the purpose that first drew you to this profession and learn how knowledge can bring new excitement to your daily work. Together, we will look at how passion fades when learning stops and how to reignite that spark through growth and connection.
Leave this session with practical ways to strengthen your confidence, elevate your performance, and rediscover joy in helping others see the world more clearly.
**LEGISLATIVE ALERT** Calling all TN Opticians (and interested parties) ‼️UOA applauds the work of the Tennessee Dispensing Opticians Association to defend TN Opticianry licensure. The Bill to extend current statutes through 2031 has already passed the Senate and is on its way to the House. Read below to see how you can support our TN Opticians. *TAKE ACTION TODAY* 👀
Instructor: Phernell Walker, Chair, American Board of Opticianry
Description: See vision in a whole new dimension! This fast-paced course dives into how ophthalmic prisms move images in 3D space, and how you can harness that power in your practice.
From calculating accidental prism to decoding oblique base directions, the prism magnification formula, and the micro-prism.
You’ll sharpen your skills through real-world cases and interactive problem solving. Perfect for clinicians managing complex binocular and neuro-visual cases.
Course Title: Explore the Floor - Technology Edition
Instructor: Cira Collins
Description: In this class, learn with feet on the ground how to make the most of your Expo hours on the show floor. We will begin in the classroom, where you will build your strategy for exploring new technology, learn how to establish and build relationships with vendors, and keep your finger on the pulse of the technological surge happening right now.
While we will specifically focus on electronically-enabled and smart eyewear by delivering specific skills for evaluating products in this category, you will still be equipped to explore practice-enhancing software, exam and treatment equipment, and, of course, new spectacle lens and contact lens advancements.
This is one of 9 courses that are exclusive to OptiCon for 2026!
Title: Vision Beyond Vision
Instructor: Michael Gatti, Sr. Mgr. Professional Engagement, HOYA Vision Care
Description: Experience examples of real-world magic that expose the unseen forces guiding your decisions and patient interactions. You’ll discover how awareness of your own perception can transform the patient’s experience, build trust, and elevate your recommendations. Expect to leave with a new perspective on how you think, lead, and connect.
Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate how easily perception can be influenced
Describe cognitive and emotional biases
Integrate bias awareness into daily practice
Course Title: Creating and Presenting Effective Continuing Education for Opticians
Instructor: Pete Hanlin, Vice President Professional Services, EssilorLuxottica
Description: Presenting effective continuing education requires practical subject knowledge, the ability to organize that knowledge into a cohesive outline with identified learning objectives, and the ability to present that knowledge in a meaningful/engaging manner.
This course provides insights into these requirements.
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The OAA is the collective voice of the opticianry industry. The ongoing mission of the OAA is to work with members, partners and other professionals—both inside and outside of our industry—to assure that opticians receive the recognition, respect, opportunity and protection you deserve.
Likewise, we work tirelessly to further a positive and informed brand image for opticianry, in both local and national markets.
Our History:
Opticianry is a longstanding and noble field of practice—one, in fact, that dates back as far as the mid-1300s.
The Opticians Association of America is a well-established and integral part of that legacy. Established in 1926 as the Guild of Prescription Opticians, the OAA holds the distinguished honor of being the only national organization representing the professional, business, educational, legislative and regulatory interests of opticianry.
For over 90 years, the OAA has been dedicated to the advancement of the American optician.
OAA Executive Committee:
Bob Reynolds, HFOAA - President
Dibby Bartlett, HFOAA - 1st Vice President
Johnna Dukes, HFOAA, OGA Member - 2nd Vice President
Russ Fritz, Jr., HFOAA, OGA Member - Secretary/Treasure
Sandy Brown, HFOAA - Immediate Past President
OAA Board of Directors
Tom Barracato, HFOAA, Guild Member - Guild Council Chair.
George Bourque, Jr., HFOAA, OGA - Representing Firm Membership
Sue Shire, HFOAA, Member - Director Representing States
Ron Harbert, HFOAA, Guild Member - Representing Firm Membership
