Doctors of optometry provide two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States.

Founded in 1898, the AOA is a federation of state, student and armed forces optometric associations.

Through these affiliations, the AOA serves members consisting of optometrists, students of optometry, paraoptometric assistants and technicians.

[2]The AOA has offices in St. Louis, Missouri (the headquarters) and Alexandria, Virginia, employing approximately 100 people.

[4] In 2015, the World Council of Optometry (WCO) relocated to the AOA headquarters in St Louis.