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REMINDER: EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 15, 2026!
REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE AND GET A LIMITED RUN NHOA FLEECE!
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REMINDER!!!! Early Bird Registration Extended Through Next Tuesday!
When we built out the program earlier this summer, August was simply the date we placed on the calendar for Early Bird Registration. Now we have a firm deadline from our "swag" company, and that gives us the opportunity to extend Early Bird Registration through September 15, 2026.
We want this 125th Anniversary weekend to be a great and memorable experience, and we want as many attendees as possible to have access to our limited-edition NHOA 125th Anniversary fleece. It’s stylish, warm, commemorative, and something we hope you’ll enjoy long after the weekend is over.
Register by September 15 and make sure we can include you in the order!
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NHOA Room Block is NEARLY Sold-Out.
Only THREE rooms remain for Saturday night!
Planning to join us at Wentworth by the Sea for the 125th Anniversary weekend? It's a critical time to reserve your room.
More than 95% of NHOA’s reserved room block has already been spoken for, indicating the great interest building around this milestone weekend.
Staying at the Wentworth keeps you right in the middle of the CE, receptions, anniversary activities and connections being built throughout the weekend. It also means no driving at the end of the day and more time to enjoy everything the weekend has to offer.
If you are planning to attend, we strongly encourage you to try and book your room now while NHOA-block rooms remain available.
October 16–18, 2026 | Wentworth by the Sea | Portsmouth, NH
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Help Us Celebrate 125 Years of NHOA History!
Calling all NHOA members!
As we prepare a special newsletter celebrating NHOA’s 125th anniversary, we want to hear from you and help preserve the stories, photos, and memories that have shaped our association and the profession.
Do you have something to share? Please email photos, stories, or information to Jeanne Thurber, NHOA Secretary, by September 18. And don’t worry if you miss the deadline—please keep sending items through the end of September!
We’re especially looking for:
Historic NHOA Photos
- Photos from the 2001 NHOA meetings in Bermuda and Mt. Washington
- NHOA photos from 2001 and earlier
Multigenerational Optometry Families
Was one of your parents, an aunt or uncle, a grandparent, or another other family member also an optometrist? Tell us about your family’s optometry legacy, including where and when each of you practiced and your optometry school and graduation year. Family photos are especially welcome!
Longstanding Practices
Is your practice 25 years old or more? Share its history—including the practice name, original and subsequent owners, important dates, and any photos you may have.
How Optometry Has Changed
For our senior members: How has optometry changed since you graduated? Share your perspective and memories of the profession over the years.
Your NHOA Memories
Do you have a favorite NHOA meeting, colleague, event, accomplishment, or special memory? We’d love to hear it!
Help us celebrate 125 years of NHOA by sharing a piece of its history. Your photos, stories, and memories can help bring our past to life for the next generation of New Hampshire optometrists.
Please send your contributions to Jeanne Thurber, NHOA Secretary, by September 18—or continue forwarding items through the end of September.
Thank you for helping us make this 125th anniversary celebration special!
Jeanne Thurber
NHOA Secretary
ThurberFamily@comcast.net
603-860-4647
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IMPORTANT! Help Us Build a Great Paraoptometric Program
Next week is critical as we finalize plans for our 125th Anniversary Paraoptometric Program on Saturday, October 17.
Doctors, if you are planning to send members of your team, please have them register by the end of the day Friday. Having registrations in hand will help us make important planning decisions to ensure that we can provide the best possible experience for everyone attending.
This is a great opportunity to invest in your staff and help us make the return of dedicated paraoptometric education a strong success.
Planning to attend? Please register by Friday!
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September Is Paraoptometric Appreciation Month. Make Sure Your Team Is Connected!
As we celebrate Paraoptometric Appreciation Month, it’s a great time to recognize the team members who help our practices succeed and make sure they are taking advantage of the resources available to them.
Did you know that staff members of AOA member doctors can be enrolled as AOA Associate Members at no additional cost? Membership provides access to AOA EyeLearn education and training, paraoptometric resources and certification information, member rates for AOA events, publications, and opportunities to become more connected to the profession.
Take a few minutes this month to explore the AOA Paraoptometric Resources page and make sure your team is connected.
And we want to hear from you! If you would like RIOA to build a dedicated paraoptometric education program into our 2027 plans, email RIOA and let us know. If there is interest from our practices, we would love to explore bringing something together for Rhode Island’s paraoptometric community.
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We put the finishing touches on the Game Day CE program this week.
Finish your remaining CE requirements with us... from the comfort of your home!
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We’re building a great 4-hour Game Day CE program for Sunday, November 8 for those looking to have a productive day before settling in for the NFL action!
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Andrew Rixon, OD, FAAO, Diplomate (Glaucoma) as our featured speaker and our CE Committee has finalized the topics. The full lineup is below.
GAME PLAN:
- Done well before the 1:00 p.m. games!
- ZOOM Platform Credentials will be emailed on Friday and will be resent one hour prior to the start of GameDay CE.
- 4 hours COPE accreditation CE - pending
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About Our Speaker - Dr. Andrew Rixon OD, FAAO, Diplomate (Glaucoma) - Originally from Hartford, CT, Dr. Rixon received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He completed a postgraduate residency in Family Practice at West Tennessee Eye. Dr. Rixon is currently an attending optometrist at the Memphis VAMC, as well as consulting faculty at SCO. Dr. Rixon is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, an AAO diplomate in Glaucoma, member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society, on the executive committee of the AAO Glaucoma Section, frequent lecturer, author of many posters and articles, peer reviewer for multiple optometric journals and on the editorial boards of Clinical & Refractive Optometry, Canadian Journal of Optometry and Clinical Insight in Eyecare.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
KICKOFF - 8:00 a.m. - Time Certain
Optic Nerve and Retinal Rounds: From Nerve-Racking to Nuanced - This course will discuss a wide variety of optic nerve and retinal conditions, specifically reinforcing the necessity of multimodal imaging in the diagnostic process. A multitude of cases will be presented in order to highlight how these imaging principles benefit the practitioner in streamlining diagnosis. (Rixon, XXXXX-TD, 2 hours)
"HALF-TIME" - State Affiliate Reports
Glaucoma: A technology guided, doctor driven and patient centered approach - The management of patients with various forms of glaucoma has been greatly enhanced by the emergence of various technologies. However, the interpretation of that technology still requires diligence on the part of the clinician. Multiple technologies and an honest depiction of their limitations will be discussed, with an emphasis on diagnosis and longitudinal management employing holistic patient care. Rixon, XXXXX-GL, 2 hours)
POST - GAME
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Nikon Optical Introduces Z Series Progressive Lenses to VSP Portfolio
Nikon Optical US has announced the introduction of its new Z Series Progressive Lenses to the VSP™ Portfolio, beginning September 16, 2026.
Building on more than 100 years of expertise in precision optics, Nikon has adapted its proprietary camera-lens contrast evaluation methodology to progressive lens design. The new Z Series is designed to optimize the visual field within the progression corridor, with the goal of providing wearers with a more natural, comfortable, and seamless visual experience—particularly at near and intermediate distances.
The Z Series portfolio includes:
- Nikon SeeMax™ Ultimate Z – N Category
- Nikon Presio Power Z – O Category
- Nikon Presio Balance Z – F Category
The premium SeeMax Ultimate Z also features Personalized Contrast Perception. Using measurements available through Nikon Apps*, the progression zone can be personalized to enhance contrast performance while reducing lens aberrations.
For additional information about the new technology, Nikon Apps, or ordering Z Series Progressive Lenses through VSP™, members are encouraged to contact their Nikon Optical US Territory Manager.
Silka Medina
Business Development Partner
Nikon Optical US Inc
860-282-0082 - silka.medina@nikonlenswear.com
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NHOA is a volunteer-driven organization, and its leadership continually strives to maintain a healthy balance among professional, personal, and association responsibilities. Leadership is a team effort, and the NHOA Bylaws and Policies provide an important roadmap that allows officers to shift gears, adjust responsibilities, or transition into different roles when circumstances require.
With that in mind, the Board was presented with a Leadership Succession Plan and Officer Advancement proposal submitted by Dr. Elizabeth Reese and placed on the agenda for the Q3 NHOA Board of Directors Meeting held this summer
The long and short of it: The friendly proposal called for Drs. Reese and Loranger to swap leadership positions, allowing each to serve in the role that works best for them at this time. Keeping NHOA’s leadership team strong and moving forward was the foundation of the proposal.
Following the presentation, the Board expressed its full support for the succession plan. Members can read the full succession plan by clicking here.
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To allow the succession process outlined in the NHOA Bylaws and Policies to move forward, Dr. Alison Loranger verbally submitted her resignation as President-Elect. Dr. Sowmya Srinivas accepted Dr. Loranger’s resignation and designated Dr. Elizabeth Reese to serve as interim President-Elect. A motion was then made and passed appointing Dr. Loranger to serve as interim Vice President.
The NHOA Bylaws, Article 9, Section 2, state that no person may serve as President unless they have previously held the office of President-Elect. NHOA policy further provides that the Vice President assumes the duties and responsibilities of the President-Elect when the President-Elect is unable to act.
The 2027 Election of Officers will be held during NHOA’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
We hope to see you there!
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Our calendar of activities is open to anyone who is blind and visually impaired - not just individuals who have received our services. Individuals can sign up for as many activities as they’d like at one time. Programming includes peer support groups, fitness classes, cooking classes, assistive technology trainings, crafting, and social enrichment. There are both virtual and in-person offerings and most activities are FREE!
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We offer specialized tech workshops for individuals with low vision or no vision who are 55+. Participants in these workshops must live in NH, be 55 or older, be able to provide a recent eye report, and have a corrected acuity no greater than 20/50. Upcoming workshops include Navigate Your Way and Settings and Gestures Galore! iOS Without Vision.
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The next Silver Retreat is scheduled for September. This 5-day immersive program teaches individuals 55+ affected by severe vision impairment important skills that allow them to live as independently as possible and safely age in place.
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Assistive Technology (AT) & Activities Specialist Stephanie Hurd produces a video series called Tech Topics where she provides instruction on assistive technology and accessibility for those who are blind and visually impaired.
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2027 large print calendars are available for purchase for $10 each! 2026 calendars are still available at a discounted price of $5.
If you know or someone you know could benefit from any of our services, please contact us at services@futureinsight.org or 603-224-4039.
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New from AOA: Billing & Coding Help Desk
We’re very excited to share a new AOA member resource launched this week: the AOA Billing & Coding Help Desk™.
The Help Desk gives doctors of optometry a streamlined way to access trusted guidance on coding, reimbursement, billing questions, and related practice issues.
Members can submit questions and receive support from AOA volunteers and the Help Desk team, with an expected response time of approximately 3 to 4 business days.
For practices trying to navigate increasingly complicated coding and reimbursement requirements, having a reliable place to turn can save time, reduce uncertainty, and help support more accurate billing.
This is another tangible example of AOA membership at work, providing practical resources designed specifically for optometric practices.
Have a billing or coding question? Explore the AOA Billing & Coding Help Desk and put this new member benefit to work.
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Optometry Is Leading the Charge on Red Tape. We Need to Keep It That Way.
The FTC requires patients to sign an acknowledgment confirming that they received their eyeglass or contact lens prescription. On paper, the requirement may appear simple. In practice, optometrists across the country are reporting added staff time, additional paperwork, patient questions, document retention requirements, and other administrative work that provides little meaningful value to either the doctor or the patient.
The FTC has estimated that the acknowledgment process takes approximately 20 seconds per patient. The AOA’s experience with practicing optometrists suggests the real-world burden can be considerably greater, often one to three minutes per patient, particularly when staff must explain the requirement, address questions or refusals, print or scan documents, and maintain records for three years.
Multiply those minutes across hundreds or thousands of patient encounters and the impact becomes much more significant. This is precisely the type of regulatory burden policymakers need to understand when evaluating whether a requirement is accomplishing enough to justify the time and expense it creates.
Optometry has their attention right now. We need to remain at the top of the conversation.
If this requirement has created additional work in your practice, the AOA is asking you to share your experience through the SBA Office of Advocacy’s Red Tape Hotline. Specific examples are especially valuable, including staff time, doctor time, administrative costs, recordkeeping responsibilities, and situations in which the requirement has created confusion or frustration for patients.
When identifying the regulation, specify:
“FTC requirement for signed patient acknowledgement for every eyeglass prescription and every contact lens prescription.”
The more real-world information optometrists provide, the stronger the case becomes that regulatory requirements should be measured not only by their intent, but by their actual value to patients and the burden they place on those providing their care.
| Just a few minutes of your time can make a real difference. Share your feedback and help us reduce burdensome red tape in your practice! |
Your AOA Member Benefit: Patient & Community Education Downloads Library
This is your exclusive, curated collection of clinical and topical educational handouts, as well as community outreach tools—ready to download and print right in your practice. These professionally designed materials, previously sold individually, are now free for AOA members and staff to support your patient education and community engagement efforts.
What's inside the library?
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Patient education materials. High-quality infographics, flyers and handouts that simplify complex conditions, topics or patient concerns.
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Interactive activity sheets and books. Engaging resources for pediatric care, school visits or community health fairs.
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Community outreach content. Leverage the AOA's public outreach and campaign resources, including social media posts, presentations, press releases and more.
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NHOA is pleased to announce the relaunch of the Friday Focus Archive, giving members a convenient, one-stop resource to revisit previous editions.
We appreciate everyone’s patience while we worked through the best and most efficient way to organize and maintain the archive. The goal was not simply to post old newsletters, but to create a resource members could actually use.
The newly refreshed archive features a searchable page with quick, convenient links to previous Friday Focus editions, making it easier to find an announcement, advocacy update, event information or other item you may remember seeing along the way. The intent is to update the archives at the end of each month (at minimum).
Missed a Friday Focus? Looking for something from a previous edition? Start with the FF Archive!
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Optometrist - Wolfeboro, NH
Wolfeboro Eye Associates is a community-focused optometry practice serving patients in Wolfeboro and the surrounding Lakes Region of New Hampshire. We are seeking a full-time Optometrist to join our welcoming, patient-centered practice.
This is an excellent opportunity for an optometrist who values high-quality clinical care, meaningful patient relationships, and a collaborative small-practice environment. Our team works closely together to provide comprehensive eye care, accurate diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and an exceptional patient experience.
Position Responsibilities:
- Perform comprehensive eye examinations and evaluate visual function
- Diagnose and manage common ocular conditions
- Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision correction solutions
- Review patient histories, perform diagnostic testing, and interpret clinical findings
- Educate patients and families regarding eye health, treatment options, and preventive care
- Coordinate referrals and follow-up care as appropriate
- Maintain thorough and accurate clinical documentation
- Collaborate with clinical staff to support efficient patient flow and high-quality care
- Stay current with advances in optometric care and clinical knowledge
- Contribute to practice growth through excellent patient care and positive patient experiences
Qualifications:
- Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited institution
- Current New Hampshire optometry license or eligibility for licensure
- Strong clinical skills in comprehensive eye examinations and the diagnosis and management of ocular conditions
- Experience prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Proficiency with diagnostic equipment commonly used in optometric practice, including phoropters, slit lamps, refractive equipment, and imaging technologies
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Commitment to compassionate, professional, and patient-centered care
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Ability to work collaboratively and contribute to a positive team culture
- Prior private-practice or medical-setting experience preferred
- Residency training or additional experience in medical optometry or specialty areas is a plus
What We Offer:
Wolfeboro Eye Associates provides a supportive clinical environment where an Optometrist can develop long-term relationships with patients and become an integral part of a close-knit community. We value professionalism, empathy, clear communication, and a commitment to providing excellent care to patients of all ages.
Located in beautiful Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, the practice offers the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding career while living and working in the Lakes Region.
To Apply: Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter expressing your interest in joining Wolfeboro Eye Associates.
Contact:
Lori Kirwan
(603) 738-2010
lori@wolfeboroeye.com
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ABOUT THE NHOA: The Mission of the New Hampshire Optometric Association is to advance and protect the practice of Optometry to ensure the health and vision of the public.
The New Hampshire Optometric Association (NHOA) is the professional association representing the vast majority of New Hampshire’s practicing Doctors of Optometry. We have served our members and the citizens of NH since founded over 110 years ago. We are affiliated with the American Optometric Association.
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Friday Focus is a weekly email newsletter dedicated to communicating important Association- and member-related news, industry updates and matters relating to practicing optometry in New Hampshire. It is a members-only weekly communication.
Member submissions for publication in Friday Focus are welcomed and appreciated. Kindly email us.
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