Ohio Optometric Association

01/29/2026

Our students deserve to be able to create a bright future in Ohio.

Some have reported that only 3 of 640 graduates from The Ohio State University School of Optometry have moved to a state with expanded scope.

The truth is that out of the last three graduating classes, 52% have left the state of Ohio.

Our students, just like our patients in need of safe eye healthcare, deserve more.

Know the facts: https://trustedeyecareohio.com/

Ohio State Senator Steve Huffman, State Senator Beth Liston, Catherine Ingram, Susan Manchester, Elect Kristina Daley Roegner, Mark Romanchuk

01/26/2026

“After traveling 30 miles to see the ophthalmologist who could perform the laser, which took just a few minutes, I was perplexed why my local eye doctor could not have done it.”
- Alliance patient Timothy Greiner

Ohioans deserve to have their primary eye health doctor manage simple, safe, in-office procedures.

Learn more about how Senate Bill 36 will help Ohioans: https://trustedeyecareohio.com/

Ohio State Senator Steve Huffman, State Senator Beth Liston, Catherine Ingram, Susan Manchester, Elect Kristina Daley Roegner, Mark Romanchuk

01/22/2026

New Year, Same Mission!

Ohioans deserve safe, expanded access to eye healthcare. Passing Senate Bill 36 will ensure Ohioans have timely access to high-quality, comprehensive eye care from doctors they know and trust.

“The 3 laser procedures, YAG laser capsulotomy, laser PI, and SLT, are all procedures in which optometrists are well-equipped and trained to handle and perform.”
Dr. Nate Lighthizer, Dean and Professor at the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry.

Optometry school is a postgraduate doctoral curriculum that contains over 10,000 hours of education and training focused solely on the eye and related systemic conditions.

Learn more about the education required to become a doctor of optometry: https://trustedeyecareohio.com/

Ohio State Senator Steve Huffman, State Senator Beth Liston, Catherine Ingram, Susan Manchester, Elect Kristina Daley Roegner, Mark Romanchuk

01/15/2026

The OOA met with both The Ohio State University College of Optometry faculty and students for the annual “Faculty Reception and Student Night” on January 14th at the Ohio Union. Members of the OOA Board along with additional OOA leaders hosted a cocktail hour reception for the faculty before leading round table discussions with over 110 optometry students.

“Student night was an engaging and inspiring opportunity for students to have dinner with optometric leaders from across the profession, hear the journeys that brought them to where they are today, ask questions, and gain real-world insight into the many paths optometry can take," stated OOA President Dr. San- San Cooley. “It’s a chance to connect with future colleagues, explore different avenues of optometry up close and personal, and perhaps even make a connection that leads to a potential hire/associate opportunity down the road.”

Thank you to VSP Vision, our sponsor for the event and all of the OOA table leaders.

01/14/2026

Glaucoma Awareness Month - Detect it early
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness, yet most people don’t know they have it until vision loss begins.

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/find-a-doctor?sso=y

01/09/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Thomas Nye for being selected as the Hamilton Small Business Person of the Year. Dr. Nye has left his fingerprint on practically every aspect of community service in his town of Hamilton, Ohio and even served as mayor! His commitment to his community is matched in his service to organized optometry. Read more about Dr. Nye at the link to the Journal-News.

https://www.journal-news.com/community/butler-county/former-hamilton-mayor-tom-nye-named-small-business-person-of-the-year/XAJHVLGT7NAHVL4HNNSLJTXAJI/ #

State Senator George Lang

01/07/2026

Test for Glaucoma and more - Schedule an exam
Testing for Glaucoma can be more comfortable than you might think. Ask an AOA optometrist to get started.

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/find-a-doctor?sso=y

01/06/2026

In Memoriam - Dr. James Scholles

The Ohio Optometric Association extends our heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr. James Scholles. A visionary leader, Dr. Scholles made a lasting impact on the advancement of optometric practice and patient care. Dr. Scholles was a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Optometry and later completed his law degree from Salmon P. Chase. He practiced Optometry for over 65 years, in the Finneytown area. He served as president of the Cincinnati Optometric Association, the Ohio Optometric Association (1973), and the American Optometric Association (1989). He became a national representative, testifying before Congress and met with US Presidents on behalf of Optometry.

To learn more about Dr. Scholles legacy and his many contributions to the profession, please visit:
https://www.mrfh.com/obituary/dr-james-jim-scholles

12/29/2025

“I was told that optometrists were looking to expand their scope of practice to include lasers and I would be very comfortable with an optometrist doing this. In fact, I would prefer it because Dr. Barker knows my eyes better than the ophthalmologist I met one time to do the procedure.”

Ohio patients deserve safe and comprehensive eye care close to home.

Thank you, The Canton Repository / CantonRep.com and Alliance Review, for sharing Alliance patient Timothy Greiner’s letter to the editor on how more patients like him could benefit from the passage of Senate Bill 36.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/let-optometrists-laser-procedures-letter-124513461.html

State Representative Scott Oelslager
Elect Kristina Daley Roegner
Senator Casey Weinstein
Ohio State Senator Steve Huffman
State Senator Beth Liston
Catherine Ingram
Susan Manchester
Mark Romanchuk

Writer supports Ohio Senate Bill 36, which would allow optometrists to expand their scope of practice to include laser procedures.

12/18/2025

Winter page-turners

Here are doctors’ picks
Looking for the perfect winter read? AOA doctors share their top book recommendations for the season.

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/find-a-doctor?sso=y

12/15/2025

Screen-smart eye health
If your screen time is higher than you want it to be, protect your vision with healthy habits and a comprehensive eye exam.

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/find-a-doctor?sso=y

12/10/2025

Meet Sofia
At just 3, Sofia faced vision loss. With her optometrist’s care, vision therapy gave her and her family hope.

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-deserve-more/doctor-patient-stories/life-with-progressive-vision-loss-one-familys-story