A passionate community mission to evolve the modern optometric practice

The American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control exists to provide an open forum that allows our members to learn and interact with other members and find a safe environment absent of the interests or agendas of any one person, group, or company.  Our roots go back to the very beginnings of Orthokeratology and as such our board and membership represent not only the pioneers of Ortho-K but also those dedicated to pushing this field to new heights. The AAOMC, through our workshops, courses and accreditation programs, allows our members to grow in competence and demonstrate this ability to their peers and the public.  Through our innovations, the AAOMC advances the science and practice of Orthokeratology and myopia management.   

The AAOMC as it is known today was founded as the Orthokeratology Academy of America in 2002 by Dr. Cary Herzberg along with his inaugural board consisting of Drs. David Davidson, John Rinehart, Jim Day, Stuart Grant, Joe Collins and Norman Leach. Through incredible personal sacrifices of time and expense, this group forged on to create the first educational academy dedicated to the art and science of Orthokeratology.  

Our first stand-alone conference, Reshaping the World took place at the University of Houston in 2004. In 2007 we went back to Houston for our second conference led by Drs. Sami El Hage and Norman Leach. We continued annual meetings and in 2009 Vision by Design was born, a name given by Dr. John Abdella. Our annual meetings continued up to 2019 as attendance grew each year. VBD became one of the most influential specialty meetings in the world and some of our international partners even used our model and name for their annual meetings. Without former executive director Matthew Herzberg, our board of directors and the most loyal membership in eyecare, none of this would have been possible.  The run was ended as we saw the global pandemic attack our lives in ways we never saw coming. However, we persevered as we always do and resumed VBD in 2022 and will continue to do so each and every year! 

The Academy at its conception represented eye care professionals in the US and Canada. In 2010, Dr. Herzberg saw the wisdom of embracing myopia control and proposed a new name, the American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control.  As the Academy became more visible, it was clear that there were other enclaves of like-minded individuals worldwide.  In 2011 Dr. Cary Herzberg (AAOMC) Dr. Marino Formenti (EurOK) and Professor Pieying Xie (IAOA) founded the IAOMC (International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control). We are now one of six sections covering the world, including Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, India, Pakistan and south east Asia. Today the international eye care community and public are reaping the benefits of our open forum and educational opportunities advocated by our founders.