Alumni Continuing Education: Clinical Training and International Networking

The two-day event brings together alumni, students, optometrists, and prospective students from Germany and abroad, offering a unique combination of clinical continuing education, scientific exchange, and personal networking. The high-caliber program reflects the international orientation and clinical focus of Aalen University’s part-time master’s program in Vision Science and Business (Optometry).

Participants can expect a wide range of clinically relevant topics, including ocular diseases, neurological case studies, modern IOP diagnostics, dry eye management, differential diagnoses of glaucoma, vision therapy, postoperative care following refractive laser surgery, keratoconus, and complex contact lens fittings. The program is rounded out by insights into modern eye-tracking technologies and the latest therapeutic developments.

For this high-caliber continuing education program, Georg Scheuerer—an Aalen master’s graduate and chairman of the alumni association „Aalen Friends of Optometry e.V.“—has once again succeeded in securing renowned speakers from the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Slovenia, and Croatia. Speakers include, among others, Prof. Dr. Lorne Yudcovitch, Prof. Dr. Denise Goodwin, and Dr. Joshua Torrent Despouy. It is particularly noteworthy that many of the other speakers are themselves graduates of the Aalen master’s program. Many of them have 10 to 20 years of clinical experience and have earned an excellent reputation both nationally and internationally. Today, they contribute to the advancement of optometry as thought leaders, authors, lecturers, and clinical specialists, and are thus among the world’s leading figures in the field. Their career paths exemplify the high quality of the Aalen master’s program and the strength of Aalen’s global network. In their lectures, they combine the latest scientific findings with practical solutions for the day-to-day care of clients and patients.

The continuing education program is accredited for 12 SwissOptom credits and 8 Continuing Optometric Education (COE) credits, offering a high-quality opportunity for professional development. A special program is designed for bachelor’s degree holders interested in pursuing further academic studies: They can attend the event free of charge and gain exclusive insight into the M.Sc. in Vision Science and Business (Optometry) master’s program in Aalen. This English-language master’s program in optometry is distinguished by instruction from professors from the United States. Once a month, for five days—from Friday through Tuesday—two professors with practical experience from renowned U.S. universities—namely the College of Optometry at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, and the New England College of Optometry (NECO) in Boston, Massachusetts—travel to Aalen.

For current master’s students and alumni alike, the weekend offers ideal opportunities to analyze and discuss clinical cases, make new connections, and maintain existing networks. The close ties between the university, the field, and the international optometry community have made this event a fixture on many participants’ calendars for the past 14 years. A special highlight is the traditional Saturday Night Party, organized by the current master’s students. In a relaxed atmosphere, it provides a space for personal encounters, professional discussions, and the further expansion of the international network.

Source and further information on registration: https://www.optometry-friends.com/de/alumni-meeting-2026/