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Illinois Optometric Association

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Illinois Optometric Association

IOA Mission: Protecting and advancing optometry for the benefit of public health. History of the IOA

"The writing of history belongs to the victors."

In the sense that our association has won countless battles on behalf of optometry in the last century, we are the victors, so I will relate our version of history. As with many groups which undergo changeovers, our present name "Illinois Optometric Association" was not the name chosen for an organization created at the end of the 19th century whose purpose was to forge a profession out of an "unlicensed trade." It was called the Illinois State Optical Society (I.S.O.S.). Our contemporary appellation was inaugurated in 1941, before the U.S. became a combatant in World War II. The prototype association, I.S.O.S., was apparently founded in 1898. We have no eyewitnesses, but we do have records from its 10th annual convention in 1907. Counting from that beginning in 1898, it works out the convention of 1998 to be the 100th. Then how did the previous numbering system originate? Follow along. From the written reports available, we know that the I.S.O.S. Was grappling with two major issues at the 1907 convention: (1) Getting an optometry law on the books in Illinois by passing the bill through the legislature and, if necessary, over the governor's veto; (2) The propriety of optometrists using the title of doctor. While these issues were not resolved during the convention, an amendment was ratified making the annual dues $5 for regular members and $15 for certified members. In 1998 dollars, that was about $100 and $300 for state dues. (Before you make unjustified comparisons, be advised that glasses were advertised for one dollar in 1907. That's about $20 today.) There was another critical issue festering in the background, but it didn't make the minutes of the meeting. A group of maverick optometrists formed a new statewide coalition in 1907 and named it the Illinois Association of Optometrists (I.A.O.). The organizers asserted that "there has been dissatisfaction with the old society because of the elaborate membership qualifications and lack of activity during the recent struggle to obtain an optometry law." The Optical Society, not willing to take it lying down, answered the criticism in its first BULLETIN, an 8-page magazine published in 1907. Things remained in a state of flux for almost a year with competing groups trying to gain the upper hand in achieving support of the majority of optometrists in Illinois. Finally, at a special 1908 meeting of the Chicago Optical Society (similar to a local society today but more autonomous), an Illinois State Society of Optometrists (I.S.S.O.) was chartered "unanimously and enthusiastically...as the authorized representative of optometry in this state." The first convention of the I.S.S.O. was in 1909. All the splinter groups were gradually won over and consolidated into the I.S.S.O., a name that survived until 1941. Its members cheerfully observed the silver (25th) anniversary convention in 1933 at Chicago's Palmer House despite dismal economic conditions. (It was the Great Depression and the society's funds were unavailable, locked up in a shuttered bank.) Applying that 1908 date as we have been doing for nearly a century, the 1998 convention would be the 90th convention. However, since we are writing the victor's history, the IOA officers embraced the date of the prototype group formed in 1898 and celebrated the association's 100th convention on October 31, 1998. Most of this will probably confuse the heck out of future historians. But after all, history is nothing more than the art of reconciling fact with fiction. Written by Walter Zinn, O.D., F.A.A.O. (Past President 1995 - 1996)

01/30/2026

Need CE before the 2026 license renewal? Our first Winter CE course will be held on February 15 in Effingham, IL. Register now: https://illinois.aoa.org/ce-and-events/winter-ce-series-2026

01/29/2026

💥 DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 31! 💥 Golden Opportunity Awards of $50,000 each will be awarded to up to 3 recipients who are taking meaningful steps toward independent practice ownership. Learn more and apply by the January 31 deadline here: https://aoafoundation.org/our-programs/golden-opportunity-award

01/28/2026

Glaucoma is called "the sneak thief of sight" because it often shows no symptoms until vision loss has occurred. A doctor of optometry can detect glaucoma during a yearly comprehensive eye exam and can slow progression through treatment. Schedule your comprehensive eye exam today. Find an OD: https://illinois.aoa.org/find-a-doctor

01/27/2026

Jacqueline Bowen OD, President of the American Optometric Association, spoke with the Daily Mail about the rise in melanoma, noting that ocular melanoma often develops without symptoms. Bowen said: 'It’s important to note that some of the most serious eye cancers, particularly uveal or ocular melanoma, often cause no pain or vision changes in the early and even mid stages. Uveal melanoma is life-threatening because the retina is an extension of the brain, providing a direct pathway for cancer to spread if it goes undetected. This is why annual comprehensive eye exams are essential, even when no symptoms are present."

The signs of the most common cancer in the world, skin cancer, are clear. Cancerous lesions can pop up anywhere on the skin, but experts warn the disease may strike an uncommon area.

01/23/2026

IOA President & Chair Clint Taylor OD, Chair-Elect Brandon Lernor, and IOA CEO Leigh Ann Vanausdoll attended the 2026 AOA Presidents Council in Orlando last weekend, joining affiliate leaders from across the country.

This annual event provides a valuable opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on priority issues that impact the profession.

01/22/2026

Out of an abundance of caution, the CE course scheduled to take place this Sunday in Effingham, IL has been postponed to February 15, 2026. If you registered for the event, please check your email to confirm the date change, select a different CE event, or request a refund. Stay safe this weekend!

01/21/2026

Time is running out! Register now for the Winter CE course this Sunday, January 25 at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham, IL for a 6 hour TQ course. Dr. Larissa Krenk & Dr. Anna Bedwell will present a course covering OCT, swollen optic nerves, and medical emergencies. Register here: https://illinois.aoa.org/ce-and-events/winter-ce-series-2026

01/20/2026

3 million Americans have glaucoma - and nearly half don't know they have it. Glaucoma can develop slowly and painlessly, with vision loss not recognized until a significant amount of nerve damage has occurred. This Glaucoma Awareness Month, make an appointment with your doctor of optometry to ensure it's detected early. Find an OD near you here: https://illinois.aoa.org/find-a-doctor,

01/19/2026

The IOA office is closed today in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 20.

01/15/2026

Congratulations to the four doctors of optometry from Illinois who will be participating in this year's AOA Leadership Institute! The 6-month program aims to assist emerging leaders in optometry by developing and honing their leadership skills. Learn more: https://www.aoa.org/education/aoa-leadership-institute

2026 Illinois participants:
Samantha Dodda, OD
Heeyoon Kim, OD
Haley Rambo, OD
Jenna Williams, OD

01/14/2026

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness, yet most people don’t know they have it until vision loss begins. https://illinois.aoa.org/find-a-doctor

01/13/2026

National Clean Off Your Desk Day is the perfect reminder to not only clean off your workspace, but also to optimize your computer monitor setup to minimize digital eye strain.

Here are some tips:
Position your screen about an arm's length away
The top of your monitor should be at or slightly below eye level
Reduce glare by adjusting lighting
Increase text size to avoid eye strain.

Address

304 W Washington Street
Springfield, IL
62701

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Website

https://illinois.aoa.org/

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