The American Optometric Society was created in August, 2009, in response to the American Optometric Association’s passage of a resolution forming the American Board of Optometry for the purpose of creating a program to board certify general optometrists. The AOA created the ABO despite overwhelming opposition by both the general membership of the AOA and non-AOA member optometrists, and despite there being no substantiated need for it. The methods employed by the AOA in passing the resolution forming the ABO made it apparent that the AOA's "rank and file" optometrists no longer had a meaningful voice in their profession or in the AOA, and that the AOA leadership had decided to take the AOA in a new, less representative direction.

The American Optometric Society, Inc., was created as a member-centric organization based on the democratic principle of accountability through a voting membership whose sole mission is to represent the interests of individual “rank and file” optometrists. We invite you to join your fellow optometrists and become a voting member of The American Optometric Society. Our Mission Statement is available online.  Read what joining the AOS will do for you.

Now more than 1,000 voting members strong, and growing daily, the AOS is run by a Board of Directors elected directly by and accountable to the members of the Society. These elected individuals, based on member surveys and direct communications with the AOS membership, direct the Society's day to day activities. The AOS is focusing on restoring faith in the AOA, changing its direction, replacing AOA and State optometric "leaders" with individuals that have not forgotten that their role is to represent optometrists, not dictate to them, preventing our profession from being splintered into two or more “classes” through the divisive actions of the ABO, and protecting and advancing the interests of our members, including working to ensure full access and parity for all optometrists in health care.

Now widely recognized and respected throughout the profession, the AOS is actively addressing the AOA/ABO's damaging statements about its board certification. If you're unsure about the AOA/ABO's Board Certification proposal or not familiar with the problems related to Board Certification, please read some of the "cons" and serious problems with Board Certification that the AOA either didn't understand or simply didn't want you to know. You can also read more about the lawsuit the AOS has filed against the ABO which seeks to prevent the ABO from continuing to falsely represent that its certified doctors are more competent optometrists.

We invite you to Join the American Optometric Society in their mission to give optometrists a voice in their profession.