National View on Opticianry | April 2026

Updated: 3 days ago

Welcome to the National View on Opticianry!

The National View is here to help you see the future of your profession more clearly. This is your monthly look at the advocacy, education, and innovation advancing our field, and how UOA members stay at the forefront. By staying informed and involved, we influence the direction of this profession together.

Episode 1: Why Opticians Need a National Voice

The wait is over. Today, we officially launch Mission:Optician—the only podcast dedicated to your professional growth and the advancement of our industry.

What role do you play in improving patient outcomes, and why does our profession need a unified national voice? In this debut episode, UOA Executive Director Gwen Cooper sits down with Bob Alexander, Licensed Optician and Director of Member Education, to pull back the curtain on the mission behind UOA. They discuss the future of opticianry not just as a job, but as a critical healthcare pillar.

Key Takeaways from the Debut:

Why education and minimum competencies for opticians are a national priority.
How state associations serve as the essential foundation for national progress.
A sneak peek at the innovators and topics coming to the show in 2026.

Tune in on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | PlayerFM

Listen Now

The Learning Lab: Investing in the Future of Education

$1,000 Grants: Transitions Optical Advancement

Innovation starts in the classroom. Transitions, in partnership with the Optical Advancement Board, is awarding five $1,000 grants to anyone accepted to, or currently enrolled in, an accredited opticianry school program in the U.S. Plus, recipients join an exclusive Transitions Change Agent peer-to-peer program.

Spread the word or apply today! Deadline: April 17, 2026

Apply or Share the Link

Mastering Multifocals: CLSA Eyewitness

Stay at the cutting edge of contact lens technology. The Contact Lens Society of America (CLSA) has released the latest Eyewitness publication, focusing entirely on multifocal education from the industry’s leading experts.

Read the Latest Issue

Upcoming Events: Where the Industry Connects

State of UOA: Our 2026 Roadmap

Join UOA Board Members and Staff for a live briefing on the future of our organization. This session offers you a transparent look at our latest progress, upcoming initiatives, and the organizational direction for the year ahead. Plus, a live-only bonus opportunity for every attendee!

When: May 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST
Who: Members, non-members, employers – ALL our welcome!

2026 Leadership Conference: One Vision | One Voice | One UOA

Join us in Chicago this summer to help shape the future of your profession. With Early Bird rates extended to April 15th, now is the time to commit to your professional advancement. Our curriculum is built for you, the modern leader, featuring hands-on labs with EssilorLuxottica, MEI Systems, Optikam, and eyebot—all designed to sharpen your technical edge.

Beyond the classroom, you’ll gain exclusive, behind-the-scenes access with facility tours at Europa Eyewear and MEI Systems.

One highlight of our gathering is the Eye on Impact Awards dinner, powered by Zeiss. It is a night dedicated to recognizing excellence in opticianry, capped by an electrifying keynote address that will leave you ready to command your market and lead with confidence.

Pro Tip: State Association and UOA members always save the most. Whether your membership is through your State Association or directly with UOA, you qualify for the lowest rates. If you aren't a member yet, joining now + registering still costs less than the standard non-member rate. State Association members: remember to ask your Director for the special UOA member code to access your discount, or email marketing@opticians.org.

Secure Early Bird Pricing

Membership: Your Voice, Your Vote

Annual Meeting & Delegate Assembly

The One Vision | One Voice | One UOA Leadership Conference is where we strengthen our unified national voice in opticianry and set the course for our profession. Our Delegate Assembly, taking place June 27, 2026 in Chicago, ensures that every corner of the industry has a seat at tThe One Vision | One Voice | One UOA Leadership Conference is where we strengthen our unified national voice in opticianry and set the course for our profession. Our Delegate Assembly, taking place June 27, 2026 in Chicago, ensures that every corner of the industry has a seat at the table. Whether you belong to a State Association or are an individual member, your perspective is what shapes our national strategy.

How Representation Works

Our influence as an association is a direct reflection of our membership. To ensure every voice is weighted fairly, we use a consistent formula to determine our assembly’s composition:

UOA Member State Associations: Each state receives 1 delegate and 1 vote per 50 members (up to a maximum of 8 delegates), based on membership counts submitted to UOA (look for submission dates in your inbox).
Individual Members (Members-at-Large): If you aren't part of a state association, you are still represented as part of the Members-at-Large group! This group receives 1 delegate and 1 vote per 50 members (up to a maximum of 8 delegates based on membership count).

Note: To ensure the integrity of our roadmap, all delegates must cast their votes in person during the assembly on June 27th in Chicago.

Have a Question for Leadership?

If you have questions about our direction, policy, or the Delegate Assembly process, we want to hear them. Submit your inquiries to gcooper@opticians.org by May 1st. We will address your questions live during our State of UOA Webinar on May 6th.