The American Optometric Association (AOA) just wrapped up its annual conference, Optometry’s Meeting. The annual event sees clinicians and professionals from across the world come together to share the latest studies and research. Packed with research presentations, continuing education programs, insightful sessions, and networking opportunities, the 2025 Optometry’s Meeting packed a lot into its four days.
With so much to take in, we compiled some of the many noteworthy highlights from the conference for your convenience. Visit the event’s official website for a thorough look at the annual conference and learn more about next year’s event.
Artificial Intelligence Integration in Eye Care
One of the earliest discussions held during Optometry’s Meeting centered around the future of combining artificial intelligence (AI) and eye care. Held during the AOA Innovation Hub discussion, panelists Laure Pichereau from SiView, Patrick Sauvageau from Zilia, and Catherine Bornbaum from RetiSpec, spoke on how AI assists with the early detection of systemic conditions, but integration was recognized as a challenge to adoption.
By using AI to detect quantifiable ocular biomarkers, it positions optometrists as being able to use a patient’s eyes as a window to their health. Eye care professionals and technology developers will need to work together to gather funding to hold clinical trials that validate AI integration and set the stage for the future of eye health.
New Children’s Vision Initiative
During the first day of the conference, the AOA announced a new pediatric initiative with Johnson & Johnson. The initiative, See It Through, is focused on uniting eye doctors, community leaders, policymakers, educators, and caregivers to get kids from a failed vision screening to in front of a clinician. Steven T. Reed, O.D., president of the AOA, spoke on behalf of the initiative, pointing out that in some areas of the country, 1 in 5 children who fail a vision screening never receive follow-up care.
“That means children are entering classrooms with undiagnosed, untreated vision problems—putting their learning, confidence, and future at risk,” said Dr. Reed.
Not only does the initiative target eye care in children, but also in infants. The InfantSEE® initiative was launched decades ago by the AOA, and the new See It Through initiative is keeping the concept of InfantSEE® at its core.
Related Reading: View our guideline summary of AOA’s Comprehensive Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination guidelines.
The Serious Risks of GLP-1RAs on Eye Health
A new clinical report from the AOA’s Evidence-based Optometry Committee detailed the eye health risks associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) medications.
The medications, taken by millions of Americans for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, have a “very rare” risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). A recent observational study (Risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Patients Prescribed Semaglutide) associated NAION with the GLP-1RA semaglutide.
Additionally, the clinical trial SUSTAIN-6 associated an increased rate of diabetic retinopathy with the use of semaglutide. Another study noted a risk of developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration in 0.02% of GLP-1RA users compared with 0.01% of non-users in a population-based study of 139,002 patients.
While the risks are limited, the AOA report directs clinicians to conduct baseline dilated exams prior to or shortly after the patient begins such therapies and receive individualized counseling based on their risk levels.
Read the full-text version of the report for a complete rundown.
Related Reading: View our guideline summary of AOA’s Eye Care of the Patient with Diabetes Mellitus guidelines.
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