Association of Optometrists

Association of Optometrists

Abbreviation	AOP
Founded	February 20, 1946; 78 years ago (1946-02-20)
Location	London, EC1 United Kingdom
Membership	17,000
Website	www.aop.org.uk
Formerly called	Association of Optical Practitioners

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the United Kingdom.

It supports over 82% of practising optometrists (members) to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health.

Activities and services

The Association provides a range of professional services and products to its members, including:

• Indemnity insurance
• Legal representation and advice
• Continuing education and training (CET)
• Annual conferences, events and webinars
• News, online and print, under the brand title Optometry Today
• Political lobbying

History

The organisation traces its history back to 1946.[1] when the Institute of Ophthalmic Opticians (formed in 1904)[2] and the Joint Council of Qualified Opticians (founded in 1923),[2] were incorporated into The Association of Optical Practitioners.[3][4]

In 1986, the organisation renamed to the Association of Optometrists.[5] The organisation retains use of the 'AOP' acronym.

In 2017 the organisation reported it had grown to "17,000+ members", "representing 80% of UK optometrists".[6]

Publishing

The organisation publishes a professional journal, Optometry Today.

See also

• European Academy of Optometry and Optics
• World Council of Optometry
• American Optometric Association
• American Academy of Optometry

References

1. "AOP marks 70 years". aop.org.uk. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
2. "Memorandum concerning the optical profession". www.sochealth.co.uk. 17 June 1943. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
3. "Certificate of incorporation". 20 February 1946. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
4. "Joint Council of Qualified Opticians, later Association of Optical Practitioners (insurance correspondence)". 13 November 1940 – 4 December 1947. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
5. "Certificate of incorporation on change of name – 20 November 1986". 1 January 1986. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
6. "AOP Annual Report 2017" (PDF). www.aop.org.uk. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.

External links

• Official website
• Optometry Today