8/21/2026

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Register Today for Our Signature CE Event!

Early Registration Closes at Month's End! SIGN UP TODAY!

Earn 6 hours of COPE-accredited Continuing Education (CE) while connecting with colleagues during this greenside event.

RIOA Signature CE - Kirkbrae Country Club

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - 8:30 a.m. - 4:25 p.m.

Kirkbrae Country Club

197 Old River Road

Lincoln, RI 02865

Lecturer: Dr. Frances Bynum

8:00 a.m. – Registration and Continental Breakfast



8:30 a.m. – Morning CE Program Tees Off

Low level light therapy, intense pulsating light, contact lens: Non-drug options in dry eye treatment - This continuing education activity provides eye care professionals with a comprehensive, evidence-based overview of non-pharmacologic therapeutic modalities, such as LLLT, IPL, contact lenses, etc, for dry eye disease and associated conditions such as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). (102285-TD, 2 hours)

Morning Break

Advances in Ocular Surface Disease Management: Clinical Use of Amniotic Membranes and Punctal Plugs - This course reviews the role of amniotic membrane therapy and punctal occlusion in the diagnosis-based management of ocular surface disease. Evidence-based indications, clinical protocols, expected outcomes, and safety considerations will be addressed, enabling practitioners to confidently incorporate these modalities into therapeutic practice. (102227-TD, 1 hour)

“Net-working” Lunch

ERG and Diabetic Retinopathy: A Practical Management Guide for Optometry - This course will explore how functional testing provides actionable data that aids in the early detection of retinal dysfunction. Attendees will discover how ERG can enhance comanagement with retinal specialists and serve as a tool for managing disease progression in diabetic patients. Faculty will demonstrate how ERG can be leveraged to develop standardized, protocol-driven care models that improve efficiency, optimize resource allocation, and enhance patient education. (100628-GO, 1 hour)

Afternoon Break

Chasing the “Benjamins”: Billing & Coding Bootcamp 2026 - This course provides optometrists with an up-to-date review of medical billing and coding changes relevant to eye care in 2026. It emphasizes compliance, proper documentation, and optimization strategies for CPT, ICD-10, and E/M coding. Attendees will gain tools to reduce billing errors, enhance reimbursements, and navigate audits effectively. (101504-PM, 2 hours)

AOA Leadership Institute: Nominate a Future Leader

The AOA Leadership Institute is now accepting nominations through September 30 for its six-month leadership development program, designed to prepare optometry’s next generation of leaders for impactful roles at the local, state, and national levels.

The program provides participants with practical leadership skills, professional development, and valuable connections through sessions focused on leadership branding, leading change, negotiation, public speaking, and more. The program culminates with an in-person public speaking session at Optometry’s Meeting® in Boston in June 2027.

Who should you nominate? Consider an optometrist in your practice or professional network who demonstrates leadership potential and a passion for advancing optometry—whether they are an experienced volunteer or an emerging leader ready to get more involved.

Nominations are open to anyone through September 30. Once nominated, doctors will receive an application to complete. Accepted participants will be notified in November, with the program beginning in January 2027.

Is the FTC’s Prescription Acknowledgment Requirement Creating Unnecessary Red Tape?

The AOA is hearing from optometrists across the country that the FTC’s requirement for patients to sign an acknowledgment confirming receipt of their eyeglass or contact lens prescription is adding administrative burden, staff time, and costs—without improving patient care.

If this requirement has created extra work in your practice, the AOA wants to hear from you. Your feedback can help demonstrate the real-world impact of this federal regulation.

When submitting your comments, consider sharing:

• The estimated amount of time you and your staff spend completing the process for each patient.
• How much time the doctor spends explaining the requirement, answering questions, or addressing refusals to sign.
• Additional administrative tasks, such as printing, scanning, filing, and maintaining acknowledgments for three years.

The FTC estimates the process takes just 20 seconds per patient, while the AOA estimates it can take approximately 1–3 minutes per patient in practice.

Make Your Voice Heard

Optometrists can submit feedback through the SBA Office of Advocacy’s Red Tape Hotline. When asked which regulation you are commenting on, specify: “FTC requirement for signed patient acknowledgement for every eyeglass prescription and every contact lens prescription.”

Personal Aside

Members wishing to share their condolences with longtime J+J representative Valerie Lopes following the passing of her mother are encouraged to reach out with a personal note or card.

For those wishing to send condolences by mail, Valerie’s mailing address is:

49 Harold Kay Waterson Lane

North Attleboro, MA 02760

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Vision Matters to Resume Weekly in September

After a lighter summer schedule, Vision Matters is returning to its regular rhythm as RIOA heads into a busy fall season.

VM remains your go-to source for association news, upcoming CE, advocacy updates, member accomplishments and important developments affecting optometry in Rhode Island.

Members are always encouraged to share professional news, practice updates, community involvement and personal milestones so we can continue highlighting the people who make the RIOA community special.

Have something worth sharing? Send it our way for a future edition of Vision Matters.

Vision Matters Archive Relaunched

RIOA is pleased to announce the relaunch of the Vision Matters Archive, providing members with a convenient one-stop resource for previous editions of VM.

We appreciate everyone’s patience while we worked through the best and most efficient way to organize and maintain the archive. The refreshed page is searchable and includes quick, convenient links to past editions, making it easier to find association news, advocacy updates, CE information and other items you may remember seeing.

Looking for something from a previous Vision Matters? The VM Archive is now the place to start.

Equipment for Sale



• Burton XL 3200 Stand Chair
• Burton Chair
• Burton SLT Lamp
• Burton Tonometer
• Phoropter (Like New)
• Reliance Stand
• Reliance Chair
• Topcon SL2D Slit Lamp
• Reichert Phoropter
• LG Projector Digital Screen (Brand New)
• Marco Motorized Table
• HVF Table with Printer
• New Trial Lens Set

Package Price $7,000 or best offer

Please contact John Corvese (401)474-5841

As always, RIOA members are invited to post classified ads free of charge. If you have an ad you would like included, please feel free to forward it to us at any time.

Free Classified Advertising is a Member Benefit. Members of the RIOA can post an ad at no cost.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT JOB / CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN RHODE ISLAND? Contact the RIOA at 401-949-0433.

Often times by talking out your needs and wants we can hone in on a great fit for you.

Free Classified Advertising is a Member Benefit. Members of the RIOA can post an ad at no cost.

ABOUT THE RIOA: The Mission of the Rhode Island Optometric Association is to advance and support optometry in delivering comprehensive eye care for our Rhode Island community.



The Rhode Island Optometric Association is the state affiliate of the American Optometric Association (AOA). A professional association representing Rhode Island optometrists, the RIOA works to ensure state-of-the-art vision and medical eye health care to the public through professional and personal development, continuing education programs and public policy monitoring and advocacy.

Vision Matters is a weekly email newsletter dedicated to communicating important Association-related news, industry updates and matters relating to practicing optometry in the Rhode Island healthcare landscape. Some will be longer than others; all will be informative. It is a members-only weekly communication.

Member submissions for publication in Vision Matters are welcomed and appreciated. Kindly email us.