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 | www.eaoo.info

The European Academy of Optometry and OpticsProfessor Roger Crelier, Immediate Past President


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 ArtalUniversity of Murcia, Spain


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.


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.


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


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


Relationships and roles


EAOO LaunchedLausanne, 16 May 2009The academy was launched in 2009

With officers from different European countries and backgrounds

Dr Feike Grit, President, NLRoger S. Crelier, Vice-president, CHNick Parker, Treasurer, UKBryony Pawinska, Company Secretary, UKFirst board of trustees represented by2 Educational Institutions (I, UK)2 ECOO member organisations (CH, E)1 Individual Educationalists (F)1 Individual Practitioner (A)


We grow continuouslyCongress 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 ConferenceEuropean Council of Optometry and Optics General AssemblyWorld Council of Optometry General Delegates’ MeetingSpanish 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.


Membership figuresMembership development242 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)


Member benefitNetworkingAccess 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

technologyo optometric low vision rehabilitationo binocular visiono primary eye careo optometric education


Member benefitSIGInterest 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 experienceTo establish standardsTo develop activities for their own countriesTo get answered concrete questionsTo discuss hot topics and newest developments



Member benefitProfessional developmentOur 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 perfectopportunities in all aspects of optometry and optics.





Member benefitFellow 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.


Member benefitRecognition – personal development

Personal membership and fellowship are ways to present your colleagues, patients and the public

your professional statusyour 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.


Member benefitResourcesMembers 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.


Member benefitResourcesPassword-protected area of our website includes

meeting papersmembers’ special interest group forums‘ask the expert’ page.

Discounted subscriptions to journals such as Optometry in Practice (OiP)Spanish Journal of Optometry


How to join

Annual membership is open to individuals, organisations and students.Join online at www.eaoo.info/join


How to join


Join us online

facebook.com/OptometryAndOptics

twitter.com/ea_oo

linkedin.com


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


Thank your for your attention!

Documents

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