Illinois College of Optometry

Illinois College of Optometry The Illinois College of Optometry is among the world's leading optometric institutions. Learn more about us at www.ico.edu.

ICO is dedicated solely to the student of optometry- and proud of it. Our unmatched resources make us the ideal home for aspiring eye doctors. Students who choose ICO leave as well-rounded ODs, best prepared for life. Our optometry-focused faculty and courses cultivate great doctors. From their very first year, ICO students get hands-on clinical experience with real patients in the Illinois Eye Institute. Our campus offers convenient space to live and study in, just steps from class. We’re also located minutes from the heart of Chicago. The Windy City is a hub of culture and entertainment- not to mention the home of over 2.5 million potential optometric patients! Whether or not they stay in Chicago, our graduates are ready for anything. ICO has the largest optometric alumni network in the United States. So, wherever our ODs roam, a top-notch team has their backs. This page is home to news, blog posts, events coverage, photos, and more from ICO. If you see something you love (and we hope you do,) learn more at ICO.edu.

Congratulations to ICO's First MS in Clinical Vision Research Cohort! 🎉The Illinois College of Optometry is proud to cel...
09/23/2026

Congratulations to ICO's First MS in Clinical Vision Research Cohort! 🎉

The Illinois College of Optometry is proud to celebrate a major milestone: Nana Ama (Ama) Boadi-Acheampong, Marion Lazaj, and Valentyna Semenova are the first students enrolled in our new Master of Science Program in Clinical Vision Research!

This innovative degree option, recently launched for students in ICO's Doctor of Optometry program, offers a unique opportunity for OD students to earn a thesis-based MS degree alongside their OD — without extending their time to graduation. Enrolled students will conduct an original clinical research project, complete concurrent research-focused coursework, write a thesis detailing their project's background, methods, and results, and deliver a public oral defense of their work to the ICO community.

By blending credit from existing OD coursework with additional graduate-level MS courses, this program gives students a meaningful way to deepen their expertise in clinical research while staying on track with their pre-established OD graduation timeline.

We're excited to see the contributions Ama, Marion, and Valentyna will make to the field of clinical vision research!

Want to learn more about the program? Visit: https://www.ico.edu/concurrent-degree-program

ICO was well represented this week at the American Optometric Association's Practice Growth and Advocacy Conference, hel...
09/18/2026

ICO was well represented this week at the American Optometric Association's Practice Growth and Advocacy Conference, held Thursday, September 17th at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago!

During a dinner hosted by the AOA Board of Trustees, Dr. Stephanie Messner was honored with the President's Award for Exceptional Commitment to the Optometric Profession, presented by Dr. Teri Geist, President of the AOA. PLease join us in congratulation Dr. Messner on this well-deserved recognition!

The evening also gave two of our own students a platform to make their voices heard. Michael Aragon (AOSA Trustee-Elect, Class of 2029) and Jhae Manuzon (AOSA Events Coordinator-Elect, Class of 2029) joined a student panel discussion focused on how the AOA and AOSA can better support and engage with the needs of optometry students nationwide.

If you haven't signed up to attend ICO's Homecoming 2026, this is a friendly reminder that registration is now open!Reli...
09/02/2026

If you haven't signed up to attend ICO's Homecoming 2026, this is a friendly reminder that registration is now open!

Relive fond memories on campus while making brand new ones throughout a weekend of networking and reconnecting alongside ICO Alumni, Faculty and Students on October 16-18!

Click below to view this year's events and register while spaces are still available!
https://www.ico.edu/homecoming

As we kick off the final week of August, we'd like to once again congratulate our Class of 2029 for reaching the latest ...
08/24/2026

As we kick off the final week of August, we'd like to once again congratulate our Class of 2029 for reaching the latest milestone on their journey to become optometrists at this year's White Coat Ceremony!

From this point forward, they'll spend the coming years building the clinical skills and knowledge to serve patients and communities with excellence. We couldn't be prouder of how far they've already come, and we can't wait to see everything they'll accomplish.

Check out the photo album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD39xy

Watch the ceremony in full: https://youtube.com/live/Y4_M6XPsIl8?feature=share

A milestone moment is almost here as we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2029 at ICO's White Coat Ceremony on Saturday,...
08/20/2026

A milestone moment is almost here as we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2029 at ICO's White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, August 22nd at 2:00 PM!

This ceremony marks a meaningful transition towards independence for our second-year students, as their time supporting patient care in the first-year Clinical Assistant Program is done and they will now be seeing patients directly in Primary Eye Care. By donning their white coats and reciting the optometric oath, they'll be reaffirming their commitment to the patients they'll serve throughout their careers.

Congratulations to the Class of 2029 on this next step in your journey toward becoming doctors of optometry!

Can't join us in person? Watch the ceremony live on ICO's YouTube channel: https://ow.ly/ShIg50ZwjFS

On Saturday, August 15, ICO’s future optometrists battled it out at the annual ICOlympics! 🏆Luckily, the weather coopera...
08/17/2026

On Saturday, August 15, ICO’s future optometrists battled it out at the annual ICOlympics! 🏆

Luckily, the weather cooperated, making for a fun-filled day of competition. From dodgeball and volleyball to arm wrestling and, of course, our favorite eating contest, the classes brought plenty of energy and school spirit!

This year, the Class of 2028 brought the intensity and came out on top! 🎉

Congratulations, Class of 2028! 🏆👏

Last week, ICO welcomed Dr. Amy Puerto, AOA Board of Trustees member, to campus! During her visit, Dr. Puerto shared ind...
08/17/2026

Last week, ICO welcomed Dr. Amy Puerto, AOA Board of Trustees member, to campus!

During her visit, Dr. Puerto shared industry updates with ICO faculty and students, met with institutional leadership, and toured our campus.

Thank you, Dr. Puerto, for spending time with the ICO community.

This past week, ICO welcomed the Class of 2030! Orientation was a huge success, with a week that included campus tours,...
08/10/2026

This past week, ICO welcomed the Class of 2030!

Orientation was a huge success, with a week that included campus tours, a walk to 31st St Beach, student panels, industry connections, team activities, and a Chicago Architecture boat tour, the Class of 2030 got their first taste of life at ICO and in Chicago. 👓

We also want to give a huge shout out to this year's Orientation Team! You all did an amazing job helping to get our new students acquainted with ICO. And a thank-you to everyone who came together behind the scenes to make Orientation such a success! 👏

Here’s to the start of an amazing journey!

Today was officially move-in day for the Class of 2030, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the newest members of...
08/05/2026

Today was officially move-in day for the Class of 2030, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the newest members of the ICO family! 🎉

A huge thank you to our incredible Student Orientation Team for all their hard work today! From helping our incoming students get settled to making them feel right at home, you helped make move-in day a great experience.

Welcome to ICO, Class of 2030! We’re so happy you’re here! 💙

Women In Optometry recently sat down with Dr. Stephanie Messner to reflect on her incredible 41-year career at the Illin...
08/03/2026

Women In Optometry recently sat down with Dr. Stephanie Messner to reflect on her incredible 41-year career at the Illinois College of Optometry, from joining the faculty in 1985 to serving as Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

In this special feature, Dr. Messner looks back on the people, experiences and milestones that have shaped her career and her time at ICO.

A big thank you to Women In Optometry for sharing Dr. Messner’s story and helping us celebrate this incredible milestone!

Read the full article: https://ow.ly/XiYP50ZvVnL

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