Illinois College of Optometry

This past Saturday, we welcomed 30 prospective students to our 2026 Admissions Open House for a morning of optometric inspiration!

From a welcome breakfast and entrance exam demonstrations to an in-depth student panel and a guided campus tour, attendees were provided an in depth glimpse at what they could expect from life at ICO.

A special thank you to everyone who made the day possible: our admissions team, faculty, staff, and current student volunteers for accommodating our guests, sharing their stories and answering every question.

Thinking about becoming an optometrist? We'd love to have you on campus for our next Open House.

Learn more about applying at www.ico.edu

This week, we were thrilled to welcome dual-enrolled high school students from Roanoke College (Salem, VA) to ICO for our two-day Future Optometric Doctors Program!

Led by Alumni Council Member and program founder Dr. Connor Robbs, these motivated students got to experience optometry firsthand by shadowing patients in our Advanced Care, Neuro-Optometry, Glaucoma Unit, and Pediatrics clinics inside the Illinois Eye Institute.

Beyond the clinic, they also received valuable admissions advice, toured our Residential Complex, and learned what the journey to a professional optometry program truly looks like, all while still in high school!

Opportunities like this plant the seeds for the next generation of healthcare professionals, and we are so grateful to Dr. Robbs who, alongside dedicated faculty and staff took the time to make this experience possible.

Thank you, Roanoke College, for partnering with us to inspire the future of eye care! https://www.roanoke.edu/

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, ICO proudly celebrated its 183rd Commencement Ceremony, welcoming 104 exceptional new Doctors of Optometry into the profession, including this year's valedictorian Joseph Tawfic!

This year's ceremony also saw ICO recognize several special individuals for their contributions to optometry and our community:

Jeffrey W. Smith, OD, MBA was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science in Optometry in recognition of his extraordinary 21 years of service to ICO's Leadership Circle, and his dedication as a member of the Board of Trustees, including serving as Board Chair and Interim President.

Susan Tobert, MSW, and Alfred A. Rosenbloom III, PhD were each awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters for their enduring commitment to The Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging, honoring the lifelong vision of their parents, Alfred A. Rosenbloom Jr., OD, MA, DOS, and Sarah Rosenbloom.

Tracy Matchinski, OD was presented with the first-ever Rosenbloom Family Professor of Low Vision Medallion, appointed by Stephanie Messner and approved by Mark Colip, in recognition of her distinguished leadership in low vision rehabilitation, dedication to student education, and commitment to patient care.

To the Class of 2026: congratulations! We could not be more proud and it's clear to see that the future is bright for each and every one of you.

📸 View the official photo album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCU8EH
▶️ Watch the full ceremony: https://youtube.com/live/4jL8wiykcE0

What an extraordinary week it has been at ICO! We celebrated our amazing staff during Employee Appreciation, recharged and reconnected as a faculty community during our Faculty Retreat, and watched our students shine during this year's Capstone.

And the best is still to come, as we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2026 tomorrow morning at ICO's 183rd Commencement! To our soon-to-be newest doctors of optometry: you have worked incredibly hard for this moment. The future of eye care is in the very best of hands!

Remember to tune in tomorrow at 10 am for the Commencement Live Stream over on the ICO YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/4jL8wiykcE0?feature=share

This coming weekend marks the start of a new chapter in the optometric journey of our 4th year students.

Please join over on our YouTube channel this Saturday as we celebrate the ICO Class of 2026 at their Commencement Ceremony!

📅 Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
💻 Live stream: https://ow.ly/iaSn50YYm5B

Whether you're cheering from the seats at Symphony Center or watching live from wherever life has taken you, we encourage everyone in the ICO family to tune in and share this incredible milestone with our soon-to-be ODs!

ICO Shined at ARVO 2026 in Denver!

This past week, Illinois College of Optometry students and faculty joined eye and vision scientists from around the world at the ARVO Annual Meeting, the premier global gathering for vision research, held May 3–7 in Denver, Colorado.

ICO was well represented, presenting a total of 17 research posters at the meeting, including 8 student research presentations. Dr. Jennifer Harthan & the SCOPE research group presented four posters, with Dr. Harthan later joining Dr. Yi Pang to present for a mini-symposium on Pediatric Dry Eye Disease.

It was a proud showcase of the innovative work happening right here at ICO and a testament to the bright future of our ever-growing profession.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we’d like to recognize and thank the dedicated educators who help shape the journey of our optometry students. Your knowledge, mentorship, and unwavering commitment make a lasting impact.

We sincerely appreciate the difference you make each and every day!

Big things are happening at ICO 👁️✨

ICO is proud to continue our commitment to the Bronzeville community with the expansion of our Primary Eye Care Center, now entering its final phase. Phase 2 opened on November 17, 2025, and with Phase 3 receiving full City occupancy approval, we’ve begun transitioning into the new space, where new exam rooms are already in use.

We’re preparing for the official opening on May 18, 2026. Once complete, the facility will span 15,000 square feet and include three connected clinic suites, 37 exam lanes, and 16 testing and procedure rooms, enhancing both patient care and clinical education.

A grand opening celebration will follow during Homecoming Weekend, September 11–13, 2026!

Dancing among dinosaurs at the Field Museum, this year’s EyeBall transformed one of Chicago’s most iconic spaces into a night of elegance and celebration. 🦖

Students, faculty, and friends gathered this past Saturday for an unforgettable evening filled with dancing, great food, and even better company—trading scrubs for suits and dresses.

A heartfelt thank you to Ashley King '28 and our incredible ICO Student Association for the dedication, care, and effort that made this beautiful night possible. ✨

On April 1, 2026, the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI) celebrated 50 years of Brewer/Taylor Lions Low Vision Clinic operation with a ceremony at the school.

Derrald Taylor, OD '68, one of the founders of the clinic, was in attendance to celebrate this historic event.

During the 50 years the clinic has operated, it has provided more than $2 million worth of services, according to school officials. The clinic has also provided 3,000+ vision rehabilitation examinations and trained 200+ residents in the practice of vision rehabilitation.

Congratulations on this remarkable achievement!