ST. LOUIS—Membership in the American Optometric Association (AOA) has reached a total of 39,000 as of the third quarter of 2014, the organization announced.
 
According to David A. Cockrell, O.D., president, this update reflects the growth in associate membership by paraoptometric staff, made possible by a by-laws change that took effect in January 2014. The AOA now has 6,500 paraoptometric staff members; the number of student and OD members has remained stable.
 
"More than 1,600 ODs have enrolled their staffs, giving them access to Paraoptometric Resource Center services at no membership cost to the paraoptometric and no added membership cost to the AOA-member optometrist," noted Dr. Cockrell. "We encourage all AOA members to take advantage of this new member benefit."
 
AOA members can learn more for information on how to enroll staff as associate members on the AOA website.