Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | The European Academy of Optometry and Optics Professor Roger Crelier, Immediate Past President

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Optometry is growing worldwide, but Europe has too many diverse systems and approaches. Initiatives such as the Academy will improve optometry in Europe and develop optometrists’ interest in innovation and research, an essential part of the profession. Professor Pablo Artal University of Murcia, Spain

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Why are we here? The practice of eye care in Europe is changing. In many countries optometry is changing from a handicraft oriented profession to a health care profession. Selling goods as a part of optometry and optics will last for a long time but loose its unique feature. Competitors in trading goods like frames and ophthalmic lenses are growing fast and will have enormous power in relation of price and numbers.

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Why are we here? Being the main partner for primary eye care will strengthen our profession for the future. We need a common platform in Optometry to harmonise the delivery, standards and practise of optometry and optics across Europe.

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Why are we here? To share ideas, knowledge and understanding of innovation in practice To support collaborative working and develop effective networks To promote and support life long learning

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | EAOO – a child of ECOO European Council of Optometry and Optics ECOO decided in October 2006 to revise his structure and to establish an European Academy of Optometry and Optics. –AEUSCO accepted to be integrated within that new academy –At this time, ECOO organised successfully two congresses in Brno, Czech Republic, and wanted to have more impact in education and research European wide –The existing ECOO Education Committee had to have more power and strength in relation of the European optometric education. Therefore the committee had to be moved to EAOO. The remaining committees had to be reorganised

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Relationships and roles

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | EAOO Launched Lausanne, 16 May 2009 The academy was launched in 2009 –With officers from different European countries and backgrounds Dr Feike Grit, President, NL Roger S. Crelier, Vice-president, CH Nick Parker, Treasurer, UK Bryony Pawinska, Company Secretary, UK First board of trustees represented by –2 Educational Institutions (I, UK) –2 ECOO member organisations (CH, E) –1 Individual Educationalists (F) –1 Individual Practitioner (A)

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | We grow continuously Congress development In 2009, 130 delegates listened to 15 presenters from eight countries. We are expecting around 300 delegates from over 35 countries to join us at Malaga 2013 for the following optometric and optics events: –European Academy of Optometry and Optics Annual Conference –European Council of Optometry and Optics General Assembly –World Council of Optometry General Delegates’ Meeting –Spanish General Council of Optometry National Conference The annual congress in Malaga includes over 100 poster presentations, case studies, lectures and discussion forums which were chosen out from about 250 abstracts.

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Membership figures Membership development 242 individual and associate members 73 organisational members 39 student members 15 postgraduate members Plan to grow membership with a long-term strategy (Figures from January 2013)

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Member benefit Networking Access to a network of individual members, practitioners, industry bodies and educators across Europe and beyond. Specialist Interest Groups (SIGs), giving you the opportunity to build links based on particular interests. Current groups: o cornea, contact lenses and refractive technology o optometric low vision rehabilitation o binocular vision o primary eye care o optometric education

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Member benefit SIG Interest Groups may meet by internet in different forums. Or meet at the annual meeting within their own group face to face –To share know how and experience –To establish standards –To develop activities for their own countries –To get answered concrete questions –To discuss hot topics and newest developments

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe |

Member benefit Professional development Our annual conference is already a must-attend event in the optometry and optics calendar. This conference is one of the rare ones which covers all aspects of optometry and optics and is not just focused to topics like contactlens fitting, research or education. The conference provides perfect opportunities in all aspects of optometry and optics.

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe |

Member benefit Fellow of the Academy (FEAOO) Fellowships are awarded to members who have made a significant contribution to optometry or optics, and acknowledge members’ experience, accomplishments and commitment to the profession.

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Member benefit Recognition – personal development Personal membership and fellowship are ways to present your colleagues, patients and the public –your professional status –your commitment to continuous development of your skills, knowledge and understanding Members can use our member logo, giving a highly visible way of highlighting your support of our strategic aims.

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Member benefit Resources Members receive an online subscription to Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO), the research journal of the College of Optometrists, London. OPO is one of the most highly specialised optometric journals in the world, and is indexed in Medline and the ISI Web of Science. Our monthly e-newsletter keeps members up to date with the latest developments from the Academy and the profession.

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Member benefit Resources Password-protected area of our website includes –meeting papers –members’ special interest group forums –‘ask the expert’ page. Discounted subscriptions to journals such as –Optometry in Practice (OiP) –Spanish Journal of Optometry

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | How to join Annual membership is open to individuals, organisations and students. Join online at

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | How to join

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Join us online facebook.com/OptometryAndOptics twitter.com/ea_oo linkedin.com

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Become a member of the Academy and help shape optometry and optics in Europe! Becoming a member of the Academy allows you to take responsibility for your profession, and gives you access an extensive network of contacts all over Europe. Together, we can make a difference to optometry and optics in Europe. Annie Eriksson Svenskt Centrum för Optometri, Sweden

Shaping optometry and optics is Europe | Thank your for your attention!