Academy Sections provide a forum for member discussions, professional enhancement, and recognition. Additionally, these groups provide the Academy with important contributions from various fields of study or practice. To learn more, visit the pages listed below.
Each Section is required to establish a Diplomate program to provide an avenue for Fellows committed to attaining a higher level of performance and excellence with an opportunity to achieve additional distinction. Diplomate candidates must be current Fellows of the Academy.
Anterior Segment
The mission of the Anterior Segment Section is to promote collaboration between researchers and clinicians with an interest in anterior segment disorders of the eye. Our role is to promote excellence in the care of patients with anterior segment conditions through professional education and advancing clinical research. Our intent is to identify new questions for research as well as disseminate knowledge, not only to the fellows of the Section but the entire Academy and profession of optometry.
Binocular Vision, Perception, and Pediatric Optometry
The mission of the Binocular Vision, Perception, and Pediatric Optometry Section is to foster and conduct clinical, educational, and research activities in binocular vision, visual information processing, and pediatric optometry.
Goals
- Develop, recommend, and present continuing educatiServe as a source of public information and public awareness on new clinical developments and research in the area of binocular vision, visual information processing, and pediatric optometry.on courses, workshops, and demonstrations to enhance patient care skills of optometrists interested in binocular vision, visual information processing, and pediatric optometry.
- Develop and present Section symposiums that present recent advances in visual science research and clinical care information in binocular vision, visual information processing, and pediatric optometry.
- Set the highest standard of clinical competency and knowledge for optometrists interested in binocular vision, visual information processing and, pediatric optometry via the Clinical Diplomate Program.
- Develop a large body of Clinical and Research Diplomates to further the clinical, educational, and research activities and goals of the Section.
- Serve as a source of public information and public awareness on new clinical developments and research in the area of binocular vision, visual information processing, and pediatric optometry.
Comprehensive Eye Care
Comprehensive Eye Care is a focus of practice activity that emphasizes the development and maintenance of a high level of knowledge and clinical ability over the entire area of eye/vision care and associated areas of eye-related health care.
The purpose of the Diplomate of the Comprehensive Eye Care Section program is to emphasize that Diplomates must continually increase their competence in their practice of primary care optometry. The Diplomate Program is a distinction achieved by doctors of optometry who strive through their practice activities and through this program to attain a level of excellence in patient management beyond the regular American Academy of Optometry Fellowship program.
The mission of the Comprehensive Eye Care Section of the American Academy of Optometry is to serve the educational needs of its membership by advancing research, promoting innovative concepts in primary care, encouraging visionary thinking, and supporting professional growth and ethical clinical practice. To achieve this mission, the Section has set forth the following goals.
Goals
- Develop, recommend, and present continuing education courses, workshops, and demonstrations to enhance patient care skills of optometrists interested in the breadth of field encompassed by the primary care practice.
- Develop and present Section symposia that highlight recent advances in visual science research and clinical case information in primary care optometry.
- Collaborate with other Academy Sections in the joint sponsorship of educational programs.
- Set the standards of clinical competency and knowledge for optometrists interested in primary care optometry via the Diplomate Program.
- Serve as a source of public information and public awareness on clinical developments and research in the full area of primary care optometry.
Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses, and Refractive Technologies (CCLRT)
Fostering professional growth and advocating excellence in patient care through leadership in education and research.
The Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses, and Refractive Technologies is both the oldest and largest specialty section of the American Academy of Optometry.
Glaucoma
The primary mission of the Glaucoma Section is to promote excellence in the care of patients with glaucoma by developing evidence-based educational activities, fostering original research endeavors, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. Through the fusion of clinicians, educators, and researchers who share a common passion in the area of glaucoma, the Section will provide the leadership and mentorship that is necessary to enhance and optimize clinical management of glaucoma throughout the optometric profession.
Low Vision
The Low Vision Section was established to foster excellence in patient care and professional development in the American Academy of Optometry in the area of low vision rehabilitation through fellowship and leadership in education and research.
The Low Vision Section of the American Academy of Optometry serves as a primary source for papers, courses, information, and research regarding the diagnosis of and management in low vision care and to advise the Board of Directors on policy in this area. The Section serves to encourage inquiry and research in low vision care by providing a forum of practitioners and scientists who are knowledgeable and can present, question, and defend new advances in the field.
The Section sets a high standard of clinical, education, and research competency and knowledge for optometrists concentrating in the area of low vision via the Diplomate Program. The Clinical and Research Low Vision Diplomates further the clinical, educational, and research activities and goals of the Section.
The section serves to promote, advance, and enhance the identity of optometry by informing the public that these services are part of optometric practice.
Optometric Education
The mission of the Optometric Education Section of the American Academy of Optometry is to serve the educational needs of its membership by advancing research, promoting innovation in optometric education, encouraging visionary thinking, supporting ethical practices, and affirming provocative concepts in optometric education worldwide. In achieving its mission the Section:
- Initiates forums on research in optometric education.
- Disseminates knowledge of innovation in professional education.
- Serves a visionary role in the advancement of new teaching and learning methodologies.
- Advocates for faculty and students engaged in optometric education.
- Collaborates with other sections in the joint sponsorship of educational programs.
- Enhances the commitment of Academy members to the highest ethical and professional standards of optometric education.
Public Health & Environmental Vision
Throughout the foreseeable future, the organization, administration, and delivery of health services will continue in a rapid and often unpredictable manner. Similarly, environmental vision needs will continue to change with ongoing advancements in technology and new environmental vision hazards and risks. Our profession needs expertise, understanding, and education in public health optometry and its application in health policy, health administration, and the environment.
This Section recognizes Fellows of the Academy who are dedicated to advancing public health and environmental vision and who are prepared to serve as resources for the Academy, the profession, and society. The Diplomate in Public Health is designed to encourage and facilitate the recognition of leaders essential to the future of our profession. The Diplomate Program helps ensure the Academy and optometry profession leadership roles in designing our country’s healthcare agenda by identifying Fellows of the Academy with knowledge and expertise in public health and environmental vision.
The mission of the Section on Public Health is to develop, disseminate, and promote public health and environmental vision issues to the profession of optometry, other healthcare professions, and the general public.
Goals
- The Section is the leader of the Academy in influencing and establishing healthcare policy as it pertains to vision-related topics. The Section serves as the educational and professional resource in public health and environmental vision to the profession and to the public.