A distinction worth noting.
All Doctors of Optometry may use the
OD degree after their names...
A special few may also use FAAO.
ExcellenceinthePracticeofOptometry
Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry are entitled to use the
designation FAAO. The designation—FAAO—means they are recognized by
theircolleaguesasknowledgeableandexperiencedprofessionalswhohavemet
the high standards of professional competence in a broad range of issues related
to eye care.
Doctors of optometry are granted the right to use the FAAO designation,
anearneddistinction,onlyiftheyhaveachievedexcellenceinthefieldof
optometry,asevidencedbythedemonstrationofprofessionalcompetence
andfulfillmentoftherigorousqualificationssetbytheAmericanAcademyof
Optometry.
EachcandidateforFellowshipmustcontinuetomaintainthehighestof
professionalstandards.Eachclinicalpracticecandidatehaslectured,completed
aresidencyorhassubmittedwrittenpresentationsandisexaminedbyapanelof
leadingdoctorsofoptometry,whoreviewthepresentationsandthecandidate’s
professional credentials.
MostFellowsoftheAmericanAcademyofOptometryprovideprimaryeyecare.
Manyalsohaveadvancedexpertiseinaparticularareaofoptometryandmay
focus their practice to a discipline such as contact lenses, ocular disease, low
vision,pediatricvisionandvisiontherapy,orpublichealthandenvironmental
optometry.Somedevotetheirtimeandeffortstoresearchandteachingforthe
advancementofoptometriccare.
FAAOoptometristsarededicatedtoprovidingleadershipinscientificand
clinicaldevelopments.Theyremainintheforefrontofeyecaredevelopmentsby
attending continuing education programs, symposia, and lectures, particularly
those presented at the Annual Meeting of the Academy of Optometry,
theforemostscientificandeducationalmeetingforoptometry.AnFAAO
optometristislikelytoreadnumerousprofessionalpublications,includingthe
Academy’smonthlyjournal,Optometry and Vision Science, which is recognized
worldwide as the most prestigious optometric publication.
TheAcademypromotesqualityvisioncareallovertheworld.Ithasmembers
in40countries.FellowshipintheAcademyisasignificantandcherished
achievement;the3600+FellowswhoresideintheUnitedStatesrepresentless
than10percentofthepracticingoptometristsintheU.S.
You can be sure that your optometrist—a Fellow of the American Academy of
Optometry—strivestostaycurrentwiththelatesteyeandvisionresearchandis
committedtoexcellence.
Patrick W. O’Neill, OD, FAAO
Dr. O’Neill started his private practice in Northfield
in 1983. He joined the Allina Medical Group in
1992, and in 2004, started River Valley Vision Centers,
which became River Valley Eye Professionals in 2012.
Dr. O’Neill received his degree from the Michigan
College of Optometry. His clinical specialty is
ocular disease, including glaucoma.
He is past president of the Minnesota Optometric
Association and the North Central States Optometric
Council as well as the Northfield Rotary Club.
He is an instructor in self-defense and holds a
black belt in Taekwondo. Dr. O’Neill enjoys skiing
and sailing.
northfield2020.com
The Academy was founded in 1922. Its mission to promote the art and
science of vision care through lifelong learning includes:
• Promotinghighethicalandprofessionalstandards
of practice
• Sponsoringeducationalprogramsthatprovidepractitioners
current information about all aspects of clinical practice
• Initiatingandsupportingresearchprogramsinoptometryand
relatedsciencestoadvanceoptometriccare
• Creatingopportunitiestoshareresultsofresearchinvision
• Disseminatingcurrentknowledgeinbothclinicalandvision
science that allows an understanding of new products and
technology
• Encouragingreportingofexceptionalandinstructiveconditions
encountered in practice
• DisseminatingknowledgethroughOptometry and Vision Science,
the official journal of the American Academy of Optometry