The British Optical Association (BOA) was founded in 1895 as the first professional body for ophthalmic opticians (optometrists) in the world. It ran the first professional examinations in optics in 1896 and provided the Secretariat for a number of other optical bodies including what would eventually become the Association of Optometrists and the World Council of Optometry. In 1980, the BOA joined forces with the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers and the Scottish Association of Opticians (now disbanded) to found the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists); in 1987 the title was changed to British College of Optometrists, known since 1995 as The College of Optometrists.
The BOA published the Dioptric Review and the British Journal of Physiological Optics on its own in-house printing press. It administered several higher qualifications including the Diploma in Contact Lens Practice and awarded the BOA Research Medal. Fellows of the British Optical Association were entitled to use the affix FBOA.
Read more about British Optical Association: British Optical Association Museum, Further Reading
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