Australian College of Optometry

The Australian College of Optometry is located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It was founded in 1939 to train optometrists. Optometry training is now undertaken in tertiary institutions, however, the college continues to work closely with the University of Melbourne, and other universities in optometry education. The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences of the University of Melbourne is located within the Carlton premises of the college.MissionThe mission of the Australian College of Optometry is to promote the visual health and well-being of the communities it serves by leading the profession to build its knowledge base, attain and advance clinical skills and deliver the best possible optometric care. The college achieves this mission by: Advocating professional ethics, standards and quality optometric practice. Providing clinical and further education for optometrists and undergraduate students. Delivery of cost effective eyecare for disadvantaged communities. Offering specialist clinical and acute services for referred patients. Conducting research in the basic and applied visual sciences. Collaborating with industry, research, and other organisations with an interest in visual health and preservation of sight.EtymologyIn 2008 the governing council of the Australian College of Optometry endorsed a new strategic direction for 2009 to 2011 that enables the organisation to re-position itself to meet future challenges and guide the ACO’s operations as it develops and grows. As the first step in this process, the college changed its name from Victorian College of Optometry to Australian College of Optometry on 1 October 2009.