Mission:Optician

What happens when a patient’s glasses match the prescription, but they still can’t see comfortably?  In this episode, Gwen Cooper, executive director of United Opticians Association (UOA), sits down with Charlie Saccarelli, president of Chadwick Optical, to explore specialty opticianry, low vision, and patient-centered optical care. Charlie shares how Chadwick Optical works with specialty optometr...

What is myopia, and why are myopia rates increasing in children around the world? In this episode of Mission:Optician, host Gwen Cooper, executive director of United Opticians Association (UOA), sits down with Dr. Monica Jong, head of Medical Affairs, North America at EssilorLuxottica and a global leader in myopia management. Together, they break down the science, urgency, and real-world impact of...

What role do independent labs play in today’s optical industry, and why should opticians be paying attention? In this episode of Mission:Optician, Brandon Butler, president and CEO of Artisan Lab Network, sits down with Gwen Cooper, executive director of United Opticians Association (UOA). With more than two decades of experience across optics, lens manufacturing, and lab management, Brandon share...

What do patients think an optician does? Do they assume opticians are licensed and certified? And how does that impact trust, policy, and the future of the profession? In 2025, the United Opticians Association partnered with The Vision Council to commission a national survey exploring consumer attitudes toward optician licensing and professional qualifications. In this data-driven episode of Missi...

What are vision benefits, and what do opticians need to understand about how they work? In this episode of Mission:Optician, Steve Alexander, vice president of industry and strategic partnerships at Anagram, sits down with Gwen Cooper, executive director of United Opticians Association (UOA), to unpack vision benefits, insurance, and the systems that shape today’s optical industry. Steve shares a...

How do ANSI standards impact opticians, patient safety, and the optical industry as a whole? Michael Vitale, vice president of membership, government relations, and technical affairs at The Vision Council, sits down with host Gwen Cooper, executive director of United Opticians Association (UOA), to explore why standards are essential for safe and effective eyecare. Michael breaks down the latest u...

In this episode, Scott Harris Shapiro, executive director industry relations for Europa Eyewear, joins host Gwen Cooper, executive director of United Opticians Association, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on advocacy, education, and the future of opticianry.  Scott shares why government relations and policy are top priorities and makes the case for helping more opticians recognize the t...

What role do opticians play in improving patient outcomes, and why does the profession need a unified national voice? In this debut episode of Mission:Optician, the official podcast of the United Opticians Association (UOA), host Gwen Cooper, executive director, sits down with Bob Alexander, licensed optician and director of member education, to introduce the mission behind the organization and di...

Welcome to Mission:Optician, the official podcast of the United Opticians Association — created for opticians, industry partners, and anyone passionate about the future of eyecare! In this teaser from our first episode, executive director Gwen Cooper shares the show's vision, what listeners can expect, and why elevating opticians leads to better patient outcomes. Follow Mission:Optician on your fa...