Volume 10, Issue 4 │January 30, 2026

Attention: Illinois Controlled Substance license holders!

Please be aware that when renewing an Illinois controlled substance license, IDFPR has the previous requirement of 3 hours of continuing education listed as a condition of renewal. This was changed on 1/1/2025 to 1 hour of continuing education. Only one hour of CE on safe opioid prescribing is required per state law.

License renewals are now OPEN!



The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has officially opened the renewal cycle. If you’re ready to renew your license, please click the link below to log in and access resources on renewing through IDFPR.

Don't forget to get 12 tested hours this renewal period! We still have THREE opportunities to get tested CE.

All courses will be 6 hours TQ and run from 9am-4pm. All courses are automatically available as tested CE. The test will be automatically emailed out for every course where the attendee scans in and out. 

Licenses expire on March 31, 2026, so don't forget to complete your CE before the licensing cycle ends!

Do you provide home visits? Eye exams in Spanish? Aviation vision? Update your doctor profile today!



Every week patients use the doctor lookup feature on the IOA/AOA website or call the IOA looking for an OD in their area. Oftentimes they are looking for services such as home visits or optometrists who speak a certain language. Update your IOA/AOA profile so patients can easily find you by logging into your profile at the link below.

LAST CHANCE for the 2026 Dues Contest! 📣 Win A FREE Annual Meeting registration.

This year, the 2026 dues contest will be related to making your dues payment via Zelle. Zelle is a direct and fast way to send and receive money that will reduce transaction costs to the Association. Details on making your dues payment via Zelle will be located in your invoice mailing and emails



Pay membership dues in full by 1/31/2026 via Zelle and be entered into a drawing to win FREE registration to the 2025 IOA Annual Meeting in Springfield, Illinois! This includes your registration for the meeting and all CE testing fees associated with your registration but does not include hotel reservations.

If you are planning on retiring in 2026, please reach out to discuss membership options as soon as possible.

Click below if you would like to pay your dues online.

Congratulations to IOA members Dr. Maya Reid, Dr. Jon Reid (IOA Membership Director), and their team on receiving the Carlinville Community Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award! The Business of the Year award goes out to local Carlinville businesses that step up and are very active in their community. Congratulations!

IOA member Dr. Stephanie Loy was featured on WAND's News Medical Minute where she speaks about the importance of a diabetic eye exam.

Please join the Southern Illinois Optometric Society and the IOA in supporting State Rep Paul Jacobs, O.D., in his race for the Illinois Senate!

An IOA member Rep. Jacobs is currently running for the Illinois Senate in the 59th district to replace retiring Senator Dale Fowler. Join your fellow optometrists in supporting the ONLY optometrist in the Illinois General Assembly. Your contribution will help support the campaign for State Rep. Paul Jacobs, O.D. as he runs for the Illinois Senate.

Contributions may be made to the campaign via check.

About Rep. Paul Jacobs, O.D.

Representative Paul Jacobs has been an optometrist for over 45 years, practicing in several communities throughout Southern Illinois. He currently serves in the 118th district as the elected representative for all of Alexander, Pulaski, and Union Counties and portions of Jackson and Williamson Counties. Some of his committee assignments include Appropriations-Higher Education, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, & IT, Health Care Licenses, Higher Education, Veterans' Affairs, and Higher Ed-Degree Conferral. 

Dr. Jacobs has been a strong advocate for the Illinois Optometric Association, supporting their efforts to enable optometrists to practice to the full scope of their license in VA hospitals, ensuring that our nation's veterans receive essential eye care. 

Representative Jacobs also sponsored SB764, known as the Vision Care Plan Regulation Act, which introduced reforms to ensure fairness and transparency in contracts with vision plans. A key provision of this legislation prohibits vision care plans from limiting an eye care provider's freedom to choose their suppliers, materials, or labs, or from requiring them to purchase materials from a source owned by the entity that issued the vision care plan. SB764 also mandates that eye care providers post a notice to patients if they do not accept the fee schedule set by the insurer for vision plans. 

MEMBER BENEFIT: FREE On-Demand CE Series!

Don't forget! The IOA offers FREE On-Demand CE, as part of your membership you gain access to a variety of free continuing education courses. Courses for the 2024-2026 licensing cycle are now available on the On-Demand CE platform. ODs can take all 18 regular hours of CE online through the On-Demand CE Series.

As an Illinois licensed CE provider, all courses taken through IOA will count for an Illinois license renewal. 

The Eyes on Tomorrow Fund, previously known as the Legislative Equity Fund, is a dedicated resource created by and for optometrists to support the Illinois Optometric Association’s (IOA) state-level advocacy efforts. This fund directly empowers optometry’s fight for scope expansion, the regulation of Vision Benefits Managers (VBMs), and other legislative battles crucial to protecting the profession and ensuring patient care. Unlike political action committees (PACs), this fund is not used to support candidates but instead provides critical resources for advancing optometry in Illinois.

The PAC (Political Action Committee) is a group organized to promote its members' views on selected issues, usually through raising money that is contributed to the campaign funds of candidates who support the group's position to keep our friends in office. Now more than ever, we need strong, principled leaders who will fight for equal rights, and access to essential services —Will you pitch in today to help us protect our profession and the patients we serve?

Contributions to the IOA PAC can be made as a One-Time Donation or as Recurring Monthly Donation and deducted automatically from donor's bank account or charged to their credit card. Selecting to contribute a set amount on a monthly basis is a painless and effortless way to contribute to and support the IOA PAC. Contributions to the IOA PAC fund are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Eye care practitioners should report all violations of the FCLCA, including instances in which contact lens sellers fail to comply with the prescription verification provisions of the law.

Filing a complaint? Use the resources below to get started.

If you believe a health insurance company is violating the Vision Care Plan Regulation Act, please file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Insurance by following the link below. If appropriate, please also encourage your patients to file a complaint. Doing so is what drives the Department of Insurance to take action against insurance companies who aren’t following the law. File a complaint with the Department of Insurance at the link below. 

Vision Plans & Insurance Companies:

Dept of Insurance Complaint Submission - How to File a Complaint

Office of the Illinois Attorney General - File a Complaint

Report illegal and unsafe contact lens sales to the FDA & FTC:

Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act compliance and safety | AOA

IDFPR:

IDFPR | File a Complaint

Medicaid Managed Care Complaint Portal:

Managed Care Provider Resolution Portal | HFS

Capital Development Board Offers $50 Million in Grants for Health Care Construction, Renovation

State leaders announced $50 million in funding for Community Health Center Construction Grants for Federally Qualified Health Centers and look-alikes through the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program. The grants aim to expand access to health care services by covering construction and renovation costs, especially in underserved and rural areas.

“While the federal government strips essential health care funding from communities in need, Illinois is stepping up to support accessible, high-quality health care for families across the state,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “With these Rebuild Illinois grants, providers will have the opportunity to enhance their facilities, improve care for their communities, and support our state’s tireless efforts to fight against health care disparities. I encourage all eligible community health centers to apply for this critical funding.”

Eligible providers could receive up to $3 million in funding through the Capital Development Board and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). These community health centers provide primary and preventive care to Illinois residents regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

“Rebuild Illinois not only supports new and improved infrastructure but also ensures communities in need have access to essential services,” said Capital Development Board Executive Director TJ Edwards. “These capital investments continue to provide Illinoisians with equitable and reliable facilities that will improve health outcomes.”

“Community health centers are among the most important tools we have to ensure equitable access to care for all Illinoisans,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly, more people will be able to obtain these essential services, making our communities and all of us safer and healthier.”

The online application can be found HERE.

Member Benefit from AOAExcel: Have AOA Dues Paid with the AOA Business Card

Choosing the right business credit card is critical to the success of your practice. You need a card that’s flexible, efficient, and allows you to focus on what matters most—running your practice efficiently and providing care to your patients. The AOA Business Card is the only credit card designed specifically for AOA members.

The AOA Business Card offers:

·       Reimbursement of AOA dues—a $1023 value^*

·       Up to 2% Unlimited Cash Back Rewards on all purchases with no category or spending limits^*

·       No annual fee*

Provided as a member benefit through AOAExcel, the AOA Business Card is an invaluable asset to any small independent business owner who is a member of the AOA, and it’s plain to see why. The modern online platform allows you to set spending permissions, access to over 20 vendor offers and redeem rewards with ease and the multiple card feature provides added flexibility and independence for your staff.

Hundreds of your fellow AOA members are already using the AOA Business Card—what are you waiting for? Take control of your practice expenses and reward yourself in the process at aoacard.com.

*Visit about.card.aoa.org  for full terms & conditions.

LAST CHANCE: Golden Opportunity Award Applications Close on January 31!

Application Overview

The committee responsible for evaluating the Golden Opportunity Award is committed to a thorough and equitable assessment process that considers a diverse range of factors. Application questions have been crafted to gather comprehensive insights into applicants' personal achievements, challenges and future goals. Financial questions are designed to understand the unique financial context of each applicant, enabling the committee to make informed decisions that align with the programs goal of providing golden opportunities to those who will benefit most.

Application Timeline

Monday, January 31, 2026 - Applications Close

April 2026 – Finalists selected

May 2026 – Finalists present to the awards committee in person or virtual

June 2026 – Awards announced at Optometry’s Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona

AOA Center for Independent Practice

The AOA Center for Independent Practice (CIP) is accepting applications for its 2026-2027 class of Independent Practice Institute (IPI) participants. Applications are due by Feb. 27 with selected participants notified in April.

• Access the IPI application form

The AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute is a 12-month, member-benefit program designed to engage and equip the upcoming generation of doctors with the business basics of running an independent practice. Through a combination of virtual and in-person training, participants will obtain the skillset and confidence to start or step into an independent practice.

Open to all active AOA member students and doctors, particularly those early in their careers, the Independent Practice Institute is accepting applications for the 2026-27 program.

Applications are due by Friday, Feb. 27.

Learn more about the Independent Practice Institute here.

U.S. Optical Industry Value Hits $69.5 Billion in 2025, The Vision Council’s Latest Market inSights Report Says

Vision Monday | By Staff

January 28, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council has released its latest Market inSights 2025 with 2026 Forecast report that comprehensively analyzes the U.S. optical industry’s performance during 2025. The report shows that the optical industry grew in value to $69.5 billion in 2025, even as Americans purchased fewer optical products and underwent fewer eye exams, the organization noted. While total unit volume declined across nearly all major optical categories in 2025, The Vision Council found that increased prices and a greater emphasis on value helped sustain overall revenue growth, pointing to more deliberate consumer purchasing behavior, as shoppers prioritized fewer, higher-value optical purchases.

“About 94 percent of U.S. adults, or 250 million people, regularly use some form of eyewear, making vision care a fundamental part of everyday life,” said Alysse Henkel, vice president of research and inSights. “This year’s Market inSights findings show how economic pressure reshaped consumer behavior. People bought fewer products and had fewer exams, but they spent more per purchase, signaling a clear shift toward value-driven decision-making in the optical market.”

Built on sophisticated analytics and multiple data sources, Market inSights 2025 integrates transaction data, retail location data and consumer surveys to deliver a comprehensive view of the U.S. optical market, said The Vision Council. The report covers all major categories, including eye exams, frames, ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, plano sunglasses, and reading glasses, and examines vision correction usage, managed vision care participation and the national optical retail footprint.

Key findings from the 2025 report include the following:

• Industry Value Growth Amid Volume Declines – The total market value increased modestly from 2024, reaching $69.5 billion. Ophthalmic lenses remained the highest-value prescription category, while plano sunglasses led non-prescription sales.
• Fewer Eye Exams, Higher Costs – The market value of eye exams continued to grow, despite fewer exams conducted. The average cost of an exam increased by $10 compared to 2024.
• Shifting Consumer Behavior – Economic uncertainty and evolving tariff policy weighed on consumer sentiment, yet spending remained more resilient than typically expected during sentiment downturns. This suggests that consumers were selective rather than disengaged.
• Plano Sunglasses Recorded Volume Gains – Plano sunglasses saw a 2 percent increase in unit volume in 2025, even as volume declined across most other optical categories.
• Retail and Channel Dynamics – In-person purchases continued to dominate, with more than 80 percent of frames and lenses purchased in physical locations. Of all products, contact lenses had the highest percentage of purchases made online.

The report also includes a forecast for 2026, which highlights areas for optimism despite negative consumer sentiment, The Vision Council said. Continued spending, combined with potential changes to tax refunds, could work to offset the trend of lower volume that was observed in 2025.

The full report is available for download by clicking here. Members of The Vision Council are able access the full report with complete analysis for free, while non-members can create an account and purchase the report for $6,000.

The download includes market value and volume of a range of optical products, the number of people using each product in the U.S., and an industry forecast for 2026.

The Market inSights+ report, published by The Vision Council, provides cross-tabulations of market value and volume by channel and demographics for the major product categories: exams, frames, lenses, contact lenses, plano sunglasses and readers. The tables show the value, volume and unit price for each product category by channel, as well as demographic data by age, gender, income, ethnicity and race. Additional tables are a supplement to the full-length 2025 report and are available for purchase here.

For more information about the Market inSights report or The Vision Council's research program, click here.

Teen Boy Grows a Tooth Between Eyelid and Eyebrow

MedPage Today | By Randy Dotinga

January 19, 2025

A 16-year-old boy in India had a mature canine tooth removed from an unusual location: the superior orbit of his left eye between his eyelid and eyebrow.

The case, published in Ophthalmology, is apparently the first documented report of an ectopic tooth in that part of the eye socket, although teeth have sprouted in plenty of unexpected parts of the face.

The boy underwent surgery to remove the tooth and recovered without complications, said Meghana Tanwar, DO, DNB, of Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai, India. "As practicing clinicians, we should always be ready to be surprised by how bizarre biology can be," Tanwar told MedPage Today.

The patient "had noticed a swelling on his left upper eyelid for a couple of months, which was painless and was not troubling him in any way until about a month prior to presentation, when he noticed two sharp, whitish projections protruding out," Tanwar said.

The condition caused no pain, only cosmetic concerns. "People started questioning what it was," she noted. "His parents were mainly concerned about a possible tumor and if this could impact his vision."

Clinicians detected fullness in the left upper eyelid and two whitish conical projections, according to Tanwar. "They had a fairly smooth surface and were hard on palpation, suggestive of a tooth," she said.

The differential diagnosis included a teratoma, bone, or even a foreign body, she explained.

A CT scan pinpointed the diagnosis. "The structure of a lone tooth in the superior orbit was quite obvious," Tanwar said.

By definition, ectopic teeth erupt in abnormal locations. As Tanwar noted, teeth have grown in the chin, palate, nasal cavity, and inside the maxillary sinus. In one notable case, an ectopic tooth was found inside the nostril of a 38-year-old man who'd suffered breathing problems for years.

Ectopic teeth have been reported in the eye orbit too, she said, but typically in the bottom part of the eye socket known as the orbital floor.



A 2023 review offered several risk factors for ectopic teeth such as "developmental disorders, trauma, infection, pathological disorders, and genetic factors," or even developmental atavism -- an evolutionary "throwback."

In the current case, the patient's ectopic tooth wasn't harmful, at least for the moment. "It mainly posed a cosmetic rather than functional problem for our patient, as it was not impinging on any other structures in the orbit," Tanwar said. "But if the tooth migrated to have close proximity to any of the orbital structures, such as muscle, eye, nerve, or vessels, it could have had functional issues due to the mechanical compression of these structures."

The tooth was removed in a procedure under general anesthesia after consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon.

"Meticulous dissection was done to remove the entire tooth along with its immediate surrounding tissue without causing damage to normal functional tissue," Tanwar said. "The surgical procedure took about 20 minutes, and the wound had healed well at the 2-week postoperative visit."

The patient had a minimal scar and no problems over a 6-month follow-up, she noted.

Tanwar said that the team had previous experience on this front with the excision of a rare tumor-like growth known as odontogenic choristoma that contained a tooth. A choristoma refers to normal tissue that appears in an abnormal location; an odontogenic choristoma includes dental tissue.

The tissue was removed from the floor of the eye orbit of a 7-year-old girl who had had the growth since birth, with the assistance of a maxillofacial surgeon.

Photo source: Elsevier and the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Check out the newest IOA classifieds here!

Chicago:

Optometrist Needed in Chicago (Read more)

Northern IL:

Small Private Practice in Morris, IL Seeking PT Optometrist (Read more)

Chicago Suburbs:

Optometrist Needed in Algonquin & Mundelein (Read more)

Associate Optometrist – Part-Time with Path to Ownership (Read more)

Great FT or PT Opportunity at Primary Eyecare Center in Rockford, IL (Read more)

Part Time OD Needed at Private Practice in Schaumburg, IL (Read more)

Optometrist – Full Time - Private Practice - Yorkville, IL (Read more)

Excellent Private Practice Opportunity for Part-Time Associate in Northbrook, IL (Read more)

Optometrist Opportunity — Lake Zurich & Grayslake, IL (Read more)

Optometrist Needed in Western Suburbs (Read more)

Full-Time Optometrist Needed at Geneva Eye Clinic in Geneva, IL (Read more)

On-Site OD Needed with Illinois Department of Corrections (Read more)

Optometrist Opportunity in Riverwoods, IL (Read more)

Central IL:

Join the Community Eye Care Family! Full-Time Optometrist – Pana & Taylorville, IL (Read more)

Join the Community Eye Care Family! Full-Time Optometrist – Mt. Zion, IL (Read more)

On-Site Opportunity with IL Dept of Corrections (Read more)

Southern IL:

OD Needed in Greater STL Area & Throughout Southern IL (Read more)

On-Site Opportunity with IL Dept of Corrections (Read more)

Out of State:

Pediatric OD Needed in West Des Moines, IA (Read more)



OD Needed in Waukesha, WI (Read more)

Pediatric Optometrist Needed in West Des Moines, Iowa (Read more)



OD Needed in Jackson Michigan (Read more)

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