ORLANDO, Fla.—Academy 2018 San Antonio, which was held Nov. 7-10, was the largest meeting in the Academy’s history with a total of 7,948 registrants (a 3 percent increase over 2017), including 4,625 optometrists and vision scientists and 1,168 students, according to an announcement Tuesday by the American Academy of Optometry. The San Antonio meeting was the 97th annual meeting of the association. Attendees engaged in continuing education sessions, experienced new products and technologies in the exhibit hall, and learned the latest in vision research that is advancing the profession, the announcement noted.

In addition, the third joint educational program of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Academy of Ophthalmology took place in San Antonio, and also was presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting in October. “This collaboration represents a continued effort by the two Academy organizations to work together to better prepare and support their members in delivering the highest quality eyecare,” the announcement stated.

Dr. Barbara Caffery of Toronto, Canada was inducted as president of the American Academy of Optometry at the Fellowship Banquet. She will serve her 2019 and 2020 term alongside the following board members: Dr. Timothy McMahon (president-elect), Dr. Susan Cotter (secretary-treasurer), Dr. Joseph Shovlin (immediate past president), Dr. Jenny Coyle, Dr. Andrew Mick, Dr. Carl Spear, and Dr. Jeff Walline.

Another highlight of the San Antonio meeting was the confirmation of 303 new Fellows – the largest class of new Fellows in the Academy’s history, according to the announcement. Fellows of the Academy must complete a candidacy process that includes submitting written work demonstrating their skills as an optometrist or vision scientist, and sitting for an oral exam at the annual meeting of the Academy. It is estimated that 10 percent of practicing optometrists in the United States are Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO).

In addition, a record 17 individuals were awarded Diplomate status by Sections of the American Academy of Optometry. Diplomates are Fellows of the Academy who wish to demonstrate their skill in a specific area. Currently eight Sections offer Diplomate programs: Anterior Segment; Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatric Optometry; Comprehensive Eye Care; Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies; Glaucoma; Low Vision; Optometric Education; and Public Health & Environmental Vision.

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF), the Academy’s foundation supporting research and education, raised nearly $200,000 in donations and new pledges, according to the announcement.