The following is a summary of the many historical events that eventually led to the creation of the Alberta College of Optometrists:
  1. The first Optometry Profession Act in Alberta became legislation on April 19, 1921 and the original definition of optometry was:

    “The practice of optometry means the examination of the human eye by the employment of subjective or objective mechanical means to ascertain the presence of defects or abnormal condition which, or the effect of which, may be corrected, relieved or remedied by the use of lenses or prism; to determine the accommodative or refractive conditions, the range of powers of vision or muscular equilibrium; to correct, relieve or remedy any such defect or abnormal condition or its effect by the adaptation or adjustment of lenses or prism; and the supplying thereof.”

    This new Act resulted in the formation of the Alberta Optometric Association and contained a special section for a Board of Examiners. It also laid the framework for holding yearly AGM’s, terms of office for council and a process for discipline. The annual fees could not be more than $20. On top of this were registration fees of $15 for the certificate and $2 for a copy of their certificate. Most optometrists in this era were jewelers or druggists and were not allowed to use the title “Doctor”. The first female optometrist was Dr. Boyle (who was also a chiropractor). The association tried to establish a 2-year optometry course at the University of Alberta; however, this endeavor failed due to a lack of funding and instrumentation. The next few years were busy in terms of getting all optometrists to register with the Association, getting rid of illegal practitioners and ensuring all practitioners met a minimum standard and abided by the Code of Ethics.

  2. Educational sessions were started in the mid-1920’s to enhance and maintain the educational and clinical qualifications of practitioners.

  3. In 1935, optometry was excluded from an Act that allowed districts to be formed for the purpose of availing themselves the advantage of the State Medicine Act. A formal protest to the provincial government to amend this Act to include the profession of optometry did not succeed.

  4. In 1936, the revamped Optometry Bylaws were finally approved by the government.

  5. In 1939, the Canadian Journal of Optometry debuted. The cost was $2 for a yearly subscription.

  6. In 1940, the Edmonton Society was formed as a study group and the Association also hired its first legal counsel. Also, for the first time, wives were allowed to attend the annual convention banquet. The Association also registered with the International Association of Boards of Examiners in Optometry.

  7. In 1941, the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) was formed. However, it took until 1948 before the CAO was incorporated with a formal Act and Bylaws.

  8. In 1944, the first secretary was hired to staff the Association office.

  9. In 1946, optometrists started to fit contact lenses in their private offices. This was a hard lens design made from PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate)

  10. In 1950, rural optometrists were paid by the provincial government for refractions on seniors; however, urban practitioners had to have a signed medical certificate by a physician in order to be paid by the government.

  11. On July 01, 1950, the new Optometry Act was proclaimed. The big changes were that the Association was to be “divorced” from the University of Alberta, optometry would be allowed to be practiced in department stores and that the government would take over the annual licensing of practitioners.

  12. On January 12, 1953, the new College of Optometry at the University of Toronto opened with a 3 year course which graduated students with a R.O (Registered Optometrist) degree.

  13. In 1953, the Alberta government finally passed legislation that required a visual exam to be performed before a driver’s license would be issued.

  14. In 1956, optometrists were allowed to use the title Doctor.

  15. In 1962, the first ophthalmologist that was booked to lecture to the optometrists at their annual continuing education conference had to withdraw from the program when their attendance was subsequently refused by the AMA, CMA and provincial ophthalmological society.

  16. In 1967, optometric services were included in the Albert Government Health Plan and the Association introduced mandatory continuing education.

  17. Also in 1967, the College of Optometry moved from Toronto to the University of Waterloo and granted graduates the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree.

  18. In 1970, the federal government excluded optometry from its compulsory Federal Medicare Plan.

  19. In 1971, optometrists began to fit the first soft contact lenses developed earlier that year by Bausch & Lomb. Also, the Alberta Optometry Act and Bylaws were amended to prohibit an optometrist from being liable for giving an unfavorable driver’s license report.

  20. In September, 1972, the first AOA office was opened and staffed by a full-time secretary and part-time Executive Director. Before this, the AOA office was always operated from the private optometry practice of the President.

  21. In 1973, Extended Health Benefits for Alberta seniors was launched.

  22. In 1976, the Optometric Assistants Association was formed. COETF (The Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund) was also formed.

  23. In 1977, optometrists began to fit the first soft toric contact lens for astigmatism.

  24. In 1979, optometrists started to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents.

  25. In 1980, the Occupational Vision Program was officially launched with 6 companies on board. Previous to this, the only contract (started in the mid-60’s) was with Alberta Government Telephones (AGT).

  26. In 1981, optometrists began to fit the first extended wear, tinted and bifocal soft contact lenses developed earlier that year by a number of contact lens companies.

  27. In 1982, optometrists were now allowed to sign certificates stating that a person is legally blind.

  28. In 1985, the first de-insurance for optometric services was announced by the Alberta Government.

  29. On November 12, 1985, the revised Optometry Act was passed and the previous name of Alberta Optometric Association was changed to the Alberta Association of Optometrists. This Act also allowed the formation of the Practice Review Board and the Ethics Committee.

  30. In 1988, optometrists began to fit the first disposable contact lens developed earlier that year by Johnson & Johnson.

  31. In 1992, optometrists were granted the right to be passport guarantors.

  32. On January 01, 1993, the Alberta College of Optometrists was officially formed. This resulted in a formal split of regulatory duties from the Association.

  33. Also, in 1993, a diagnostic pharmaceutical course for practitioners without this education was held in Alberta. Later that same year, a therapeutic pharmaceutical certification program was held with the didactic portion held at the University of Alberta and the clinical portion at the Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The program offered a total of 100 hours of instruction of which 60 hours were didactic and 40 hours clinical.

  34. In 1996, legislation was proclaimed to allow Alberta optometrists to be the first in Canada to treat eye and vision diseases with topical pharmaceutical agents. This year also marked the second round of de-insurance of government paid optometric benefits.

  35. On March 31, 2003, the Optometrist Profession Regulation was passed and the profession of optometry was proclaimed into the Alberta Health Professions Act.

  36. In 2005, the Alberta College of Optometrists adopted the revised ACO Standards of Practice, Guidelines to the Standards of Practice, the ACO Code of Ethics and the new ACO Advisories.

  37. On September 30, 2006, the revised Bylaws were passed by the membership at the AGM. In addition, the college council developed policies, position descriptions and procedures to become a policy driven board rather than an administratively driven board.