SAN DIEGO—The American Optometric Association will hold its 116th Annual AOA Congress & 43rd Annual AOSA Conference, known as Optometry’s Meeting, at the Convention Center here from June 26 to 30. Theis year’s program will once again be geared for optometrists, students of optometry and optometric staff and will offer a combination of education, exhibits, social and networking events, according to the AOA.

For 2013, the AOA is introducing an inclusive registration fee structure allowing attendees to take as much education as they can schedule for one low price. This inclusive fee allows greater flexibility in bringing the most current education and information to Optometry’s Meeting attendees. As an added benefit of the new structure, attendees will no longer have to pre-select courses months in advance.

On Thursday, June 27, the opening general session, sponsored by Essilor, will feature Iraqi war veteran Jose (J.R.) Martinez, who was severely burned during his deployment there in 2003. Since his return from the war, Martinez has received many awards and honors including the Unsung Hero Award at the Lady in Red Gala; The American Motivation Awards Person of the Year; an Ivy Award for his work on behalf of the disabled in the entertainment community; and the 2012 National Disabled American Veteran of the Year Award at their national convention this past August.

Other meeting highlights on the opening day will include several free symposiums with lunch, an exhibit hall, the National Optometry Hall of Fame, and the Varilux Optometry Student Bowl and reception.

On Saturday, June 29, attendees can take part in the Optometry Cares 5K Run/Walk sponsored by The Vision Council. Also on Saturday night, the meeting will wrap up with a Celebration of Optometry, aboard the USS Midway Museum where attendees can explore nearly 50 years of world history aboard the longest serving Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century. The event will be sponsored by Hoya.

Go to the Optometry’s Meeting website to register and download a mobile app for the meeting.