news
April 1, 2026
AOA brings eye health, doctors of optometry into the national GLP-1 conversation
Amid growing GLP-1 use, the AOA’s national awareness campaign, Eye Deserve More, educates Americans on potential vision risks and reinforces the importance of comprehensive eye exams with a doctor of optometry.
March 24, 2026
Brain Injury Awareness Month: How optometric care delivers effective solutions for patient
Members of the AOA’s Vision Rehabilitation Committee share clinical tools and insights for brain injury and vision.
March 15, 2026
AOA members publish paper calling for comprehensive eye exams to detect retinitis pigmentosa
Existing AOA guidelines bring awareness to the underdiagnosed condition.
February 17, 2026
Optometry increasingly shoulders medical eye care as ophthalmology shrinks
The surgical specialty faces an overall net decline in workforce as optometry grows parallel to ballooning demand for eye care services in the U.S.
November 30, 2025
125 optometrist-approved toys and games for kids
Vision therapist Kellye Knueppel, O.D., shares beloved classics and new favorites on her annual holiday list.
November 2, 2023
No letting up on Eyeglass Rule advocacy
In a recent one-on-one conversation with Federal Trade Commission staff, the AOA again urges the agency to reconsider a proposal requiring patients to sign forms attesting that they have received copies of their eyeglass prescriptions.
January 26, 2023
FTC announces proposed ban on noncompete clauses
January 1, 2022
New laws in effect for 2022 -per the COA's update:
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All health care providers are required to send medication prescriptions to the pharmacy electronically as of January 1, 2022.
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The maximum fine for violating the laws for out-of-state ophthalmic lens sellers increases next year from $2,500 to $35,000 (AB 1534). Click here to complain to the state about illegal contact lens sales. Also, share your story here.
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An optometrist may not knowingly provide optometric services to any patient who scheduled their appointment through any individual, corporation, or firm engaged in the business of filling prescriptions that is not properly registered with the State Board of Optometry (AB 1534).
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An optometrist may not knowingly lease space from any individual, corporation, or firm engaged in the business of filling prescriptions that is not properly registered with the State Board of Optometry (AB 1534).
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An optometrist may not sell medication directly to patients [B&P 3041 (h)].
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Optometrists must post a sign in the office letting patients know where to file a complaint.