SAN DIEGO—The Arkansas Optometric Association (ArOA) has selected Vision West as their preferred eyecare business and buying group, effective Sept. 1.

“We look forward to offering this benefit to our members and providing the resources and tools that Vision West provides to eyecare professionals. Vision West has provided tremendous support to many state optometric sssociations and we are happy to have the opportunity to join with them,” said Vicki Farmer, ArOA executive director.

Through the agreement, ArOA joins a number of state optometric associations and eyecare groups that as of 2012 benefited in $8 million worth of non-dues revenue since the inception of Vision West. Groups such as ArOA that collaborate with Vision West automatically receive a monthly royalty, which is calculated as a percentage of all purchases their members bill to their individual Vision West accounts.

“We are honored that ArOA has selected Vision West as a way to provide a new stream of non-dues revenue to its members,” Vision West CEO and president Joseph Mallinger, OD, MBA said. “Every dollar that Arkansas optometrists spend on products and services will go directly to help their state optometric association support their profession, making it a win-win for everyone.”

As part of its mission of helping independent optometrists and supporting the profession, ArOA members will have access to Vision West's more than 250 vendor partners. Additionally, Vision West members have access to a number of tools to help them grow their practice, including education, online resources, and live customer service.

The Arkansas Optometric Association (ArOA) is an affiliate of the American Optometric Association. The group’s upcoming Fall Convention is to be held Sept. 13 to 15 in Rogers, Ark.