9:00–9:15AM
OPENING REMARKS & WELCOME
Introduction to the day’s agenda: Exploring how optometric education must evolve to meet the demands of 21st-century patient care.
9:15–10:00AM
OPENING KEYNOTE WITH Q&A: Optometry’s Role in Systemic Health
Speaker: Dr. Kaime Mahaniah, Secretary of Health & Human Services in Massachusetts (pending)
A keynote address on the importance of integrating optometry in public and population health efforts, with a spotlight on diabetes and cardiometabolic disease prevention.
10:15–11:30AM
SESSION 1: Strengthening the Foundation: Science, Curriculum, and Clinical Readiness
As the scope of optometric practice grows to include lasers, injections, and microsurgical procedures, and as technologies like AI-driven diagnostics and oculomics become more prevalent, the importance of a strong foundation in the basic sciences has only increased. Core knowledge in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology is essential not only for understanding emerging treatment modalities, but also for participating in interdisciplinary care and adapting to continuous innovation.
At the same time, optometric education must balance this expanding landscape with the fundamental competencies of the profession—ensuring students are clinically prepared, patient-centered, and grounded in the core values of eye care.
With increasing cognitive demands and the complex nature of the licensure process, particularly exams like Part I in applied basic science, students face heightened academic and emotional stress. This session will examine how institutions can define what is vital to teach, how much mastery is needed during training, and how to support students in becoming resilient, future-ready clinicians—without losing sight of the foundational principles that define the profession.
11:30–12:30PM
SESSION 2: Tech-Forward, Patient-Centered Innovation
This session will showcase emerging technologies that are reshaping the way optometrists deliver care, manage workflow, and engage with patients. From AI-enabled diagnostics and virtual assistants to intelligent scribing tools and integrated data platforms, new innovations are transforming both the clinical and administrative sides of practice.
These tools are also influencing how we teach and learn in optometry school—requiring faculty and students to develop new skills in data interpretation, digital communication, and ethical decision-making. As technology continues to evolve, how do we ensure that both current and future optometrists are equipped to adopt, evaluate, and lead in this new environment?
Panelists and participants will explore practical use cases, educational implications, and the importance of maintaining patient-centered care in an increasingly digital world.
12:30–1:15PM
NETWORKING LUNCH
Open time for attendeees to connect, visit demo stations, and engage with student and partner displays.
1:15–2:15PM
SESSION 3: Beyond the Bench: How Industry Powers Education & Student Success
This session will highlight how collaborative education initiatives are enhancing the way optometry is taught and learned. From AI-enabled platforms to virtual simulations and diagnostic tools, these innovations are reshaping clinical training, supporting student learning, and preparing graduates for data-informed care.
Speakers will explore how new technologies are being integrated into curricula to improve accessibility, reinforce clinical reasoning, and enhance communication skills. These tools support students in critically interpreting complex data while also strengthening empathy and patient rapport—skills essential for effective, human-centered care.
Panelists representing students, faculty, and innovation partners will share examples of how these initiatives are supporting educational excellence, adapting to the evolving scope of practice, and bridging the gap between traditional instruction and future-ready clinical training.
2:30–3:30PM
CLOSING KEYNOTE: Higher Education in the Age of AI
Speaker: Dr. Joseph Aoun, President, Northeastern University
A keynote on how higher education must evolve to prepare graduates for the age of AI, automation, and interdisciplinary innovation in health care.
3:30–4:15PM
ROUNDTABLE: The Optometrist of the Future|
This closing session will bring together leaders from education, practice, and innovation to reflect on the themes of the day and explore what lies ahead for the profession. As optometrists become more integrated into broader health systems—taking on roles in chronic disease management, surgical procedures, and technology-enabled care—the expectations for clinical competency, adaptability, and interdisciplinary collaboration are shifting.
Panelists will discuss the skills, mindsets, and values that will define the next generation of optometrists, and how we can best prepare both students and practicing clinicians for a future shaped by AI, oculomics, expanded scope, and team-based care. The session will also consider how to preserve the core identity of the profession while embracing growth, complexity, and change.
This interactive roundtable will serve as both a reflection and a call to action—inviting all participants to help shape the future of optometric education and care.
