American Optometric Association

The American Optometric Association (AOA), founded in 1898, represents approximately 37,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and para-optometric assistants and technicians in the United States.

Overview
The AOA states that: The American Optometric Association represents more than 49,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Optometrists serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country, and in 3,500 of those communities are the only eye doctors. Doctors of optometry provide two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States. Founded in 1898, the AOA is a federation of state, student and armed forces optometric associations. Through these affiliations, the AOA serves members consisting of optometrists, students of optometry, paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Together, the AOA and its affiliates work to provide the public with quality vision and eye care.

The AOA has offices in St. Louis, Missouri (the headquarters) and Alexandria, Virginia, employing approximately 100 people. The Association also has four special interest sections: The Contact Lens and Cornea Section, the Vision Rehabilitation Section, the Sports Vision Section and the Paraoptometric Section.

The AOA and its affiliates work to provide the public with quality vision and eye care by:
 * Setting professional standards and helping member optometrists conduct patient care efficiently and effectively,
 * Lobbying government and other organizations on behalf of the optometric profession, and
 * Providing research and education leadership.

Journal
The AOA had its own journal, called Optometry – Journal of the American Optometric Association, published by Elsevier until 2012. It currently publishes relevant articles under the News section of their website.

Colocation
In 2015, the World Council of Optometry (WCO) relocated to the AOA headquarters in St Louis.