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The Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the world’s leading optometric schools. Thanks to our curriculum, faculty, and clinical resources, ICO graduates enter the real world best prepared to practice. Illinois College of Optometry Make a real difference in optometry and the world. The ICO Difference We are one of the world's leading optometric institutions for good reason. Learn in the heart of Chicago. In Chicago Our location provides you with a diverse array of patients - ultimately making you a better doctor. Work with real patients in the clinic from year 1. We get you into clinic early because we believe you learn best when classes are paired with real-world clinical experiences. In the Clinic Join over 8,000 alumni More connections means better opportunities for your career. In the World Our program is for optometrists, by optometrists. Every course, every lab is built to prepare you to be the best doctor of optometry possible. In the Classroom HEAR FROM FACULTY & STUDENTS What is it really like to. . . support real people in a real clinic? be part of the ICO family? live and study in Chicago? be a Doctor of Optometry? We are a perfect collaboration between a community that wants to give and a community that is in need of service. - Leonard Messner, OD MAKE A DIFFERENCE Real Patient Story from Illinois Eye Institute REAL PATIENTS IN A REAL CLINIC Over 85,000 patient visits in our clinic, Illinois Eye Institute, every year. Why ICO? Make a real difference in optometry and the world. Watch the Film Let's get you started Learn how to apply Schedule a visit Shadow an Optometrist Vision of Hope Please consider supporting! Give Today COMMITTED TO YOUR VISION Learn More Make a Gift Continuing Education Our annual symposium takes place this month. We will focus on Glaucoma. From diagnosing to treatment, we have a packed schedule! Learn More Class of 2026 Commencement Relive ICO's 183rd Commencement. Congratulations, doctors! Watch Here S.V.O.S.H. Our annual symposium takes place this month. We will focus on Glaucoma. From diagnosing to treatment, we have a packed schedule! Give Today White Coat Ceremony Watch the Class of 2028 White Coat Ceremony at 2:00 pm, August 23, 2025 Watch Live Homecoming 2025 The future is bright at ICO! Join us September 5 - 7 for Homecoming 2025! More details and registration link can be found by clicking the button below. Learn More Recent News Dr. Stephanie S. Messner Announces Retirement Following 41 Years of Distinguished Service at Illinois College of Optometry View All News ICO Names Tracy Matchinski, OD, FAAO... View All News Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Michael Chaglasian View All News View All News Catch the very latest on Instagram. Follow ICO on Instagram

The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) announces the planned retirement of Stephanie S. Messner, O.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, effective January 22, 2027, concluding an extraordinary 41-year career dedicated to optometric education, clinical excellence, and academic leadership. Dr. Messner has served ICO with distinction since joining the faculty in 1985, including the past 15 years as Academic Dean. Over more than four decades, she has played a transformative role in shaping the academic and clinical training of generations of optometrists. Her contributions span classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction, reflecting a deep and enduring commitment to student learning and professional development. In addition to her extensive teaching responsibilities, Dr. Messner has held a variety of leadership roles throughout her tenure, including Primary Care Service Chief, Residency Director, and Assistant Dean for IEI Patient Care Education. Dr. Messner has been a dedicated leader within the broader optometric community. She served an eight-year term on the Illinois Optometry Licensing and Disciplinary Board, contributing to the oversight and advancement of professional standards. A longstanding and active member of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), she served as Chair of the Chief Academic Officers group and contributed to the Optometric Admission Test (OAT) Committee. She was also selected as a member of the inaugural Optometric Educators Leadership Institute (OELI), reflecting her national influence in developing future leaders in optometric education. A long-time contributor to accreditation in optometric education, Dr. Messner served as a consultant to the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and later as a Council member for nine years. As Chair of ACOE for two years, she provided steady and thoughtful leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, guiding the organization through a period of unprecedented disruption while maintaining rigorous accreditation standards. At ICO, Dr. Messner is widely recognized for her deep commitment to clinical education and faculty development. She has been instrumental in developing innovative programs aimed at enhancing student success and retention, strengthening academic support systems, and fostering excellence across the institution’s educational mission. During Dr. Messner’s tenure she also supported the expansion of clinical research program including the development and launch of ICO’s first Master’s degree program in Clinical Vision Research that runs concurrently with the OD degree program. “Dr. Messner’s career reflects an unwavering dedication to students, faculty, and the profession of optometry,” said ICO President Dr. Mark Colip. “Her leadership and vision have left an indelible mark on the Illinois College of Optometry and on optometric education nationally.” The Illinois College of Optometry extends sincere gratitude to Dr. Messner for her remarkable service and contributions. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of students, educators, and clinicians. A search for a new Academic Dean will commence in July 2026 with the intention of having a new Dean in place to provide for a seamless transition by the time of Dean Messner’s planned departure in mid-January 2027.

Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) proudly announces that Tracy Matchinski, OD, FAAO has been named the inaugural recipient of The Rosenbloom Family Endowed Professorship in Low Vision Rehabilitation. This is the first named professorship in ICO’s history. This professorship – made possible through the generosity of the Rosenbloom Family, strengthens ICO’s long-standing commitment to advancing low-vision rehabilitation through research, education, clinical innovation, and community-based care, whether locally, regionally and/or internationally. Its impact is especially timely, as an estimated 51.9 million adults in the United States report difficulty seeing even with corrective lenses (American Foundation for the Blind, 2025), and more than 2.2 billion people worldwide live with some form of visual impairment (World Health Organization, 2019). Dr. Matchinski, a 1995 graduate of ICO, completed a Vision Rehabilitation residency at the Feinbloom Low Vision Center of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Since completing her residency in 1996, she has dedicated her career to low vision rehabilitation. As a tenured faculty member at ICO, Dr. Matchinski teaches the vision rehabilitation course and lab, and provides clinical care at the Rosenbloom Center, located at ICO’s Illinois Eye Institute (IEI). Additionally, she practices at The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, is a Low Vision Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry and has served as chair of the Low Vision Section and Diplomate program of the American Academy of Optometry. She has published and lectured nationally and internationally on Low Vision Rehabilitation. Her commitment extends deeply through her leadership in Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH). She is past president of VOSH/International and VOSH Illinois. As the faculty representative for Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH). Dr. Matchinski mentors ICO students as they participate in local and international volunteer clinics. Dr. Matchinski was appointed by Dean Stephanie Messner, OD, with the approval of ICO President Mark Colip, OD. “The ICO community is extraordinarily proud of Dr. Matchinski’s commitment to advancing care for individuals with low vision,” said President Colip. “Her work at the Illinois Eye Institute—and around the world through SVOSH and VOSH— continues to inspire the next generation of students to live the ICO mission so that all patients receive optimal care.” About the Rosenbloom Family Alfred A. Rosenbloom, OD, a pioneer in low-vision rehabilitation, is a 1954 graduate of ICO and served as its president from 1972 to 1982. To honor his and his wife Sarah’s lasting impact, their children—Alfred Rosenbloom III and Susan Tobert—established the Rosenbloom Family Endowed Professorship in Low Vision Rehabilitation. This professorship builds on the legacy, which includes the Dr. Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging at ICO’s Illinois Eye Institute, established in 2015, to advance specialized care for individuals with low vision and age-related vision needs. About the Illinois College of Optometry Founded in 1872, the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) is the nation’s oldest continuously operating optometric educational institution. With more than 8,000 alumni, ICO is dedicated to excellence in education, research, patient care, and service to the community. Located in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood on the city’s South Side, ICO provides rigorous clinical training and serves over 85,000 patients annually through its teaching clinic, Illinois Eye Institute. For more information about Illinois College of Optometry, visit www.ico.edu.

For over three decades, Michael Chaglasian, OD, FAAO has been a cornerstone of the ICO community. Now serving as Chief of Innovative Technology and Data Science, he’s leading the institution into a new era of digital discovery. From pioneering research in glaucoma to exploring the power of artificial intelligence in clinical care, Dr. Chaglasian bridges traditional optometric practice with the technologies shaping its future. A founding figure in advancing glaucoma education nationwide, his leadership continues to inspire both faculty and students. In this Faculty Spotlight, we take a closer look at Dr. Chaglasian’s journey: from his early days as a SUNY–trained clinician, to his current work with AI–powered diagnostic tools that could transform the future of optometry. You’ve recently taken on the role of Chief of Innovative Technology and Data Science at ICO. How does this position build upon your past work in glaucoma research ? My new role reflects both the continuity and the evolution of my career at ICO. I’ve been here for about 30 years, primarily focused on glaucoma care, research, and education. Now, as Chief of Innovative Technology and Data Science, I’m exploring how artificial intelligence and digital tools can elevate clinical decision–making and patient outcomes, particularly within glaucoma management. ​ AI in health care can feel intimidating to some, but I see it as an opportunity. The goal isn’t to replace clinicians, it’s to empower them. At ICO, we’re in the early stages of building and validating AI algorithms that can assist doctors in interpreting patient data more effectively. For example, glaucoma diagnosis relies on the synthesis of multiple datasets, from visual fields to OCT scans to intraocular pressure readings, and AI has the potential to analyze those variables collectively, identifying subtle trends that even trained eyes might miss. ​ Of course, glaucoma remains my primary focus. It’s a disease that demands early detection, and optometry is uniquely positioned to make that possible. By integrating AI into routine eye care, we can move from reactive to proactive management by detecting subtle nerve fiber changes or pressure trends before vision loss occurs. That’s the promise that drives me today: equipping the next generation of optometrists with tools that not only enhance their clinical confidence but also expand what’s possible for patient care.   Beyond your research, you’ve been instrumental in advancing glaucoma education both on and off campus. What continues to motivate your involvement in that mission ? Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight,” and that phrase captures the urgency of why education is so critical. When I started at ICO, I quickly realized that there wasn’t a dedicated forum within optometry focused exclusively on this disease. Along with several colleagues, I helped establish the Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS) more than 20 years ago. Today, as its Executive Director, I’m proud to see it flourish into an organization that brings together over 150 clinicians, educators, and researchers. ​ Our mission is simple but profound: to advance the teaching, research, and clinical management of glaucoma within optometry. Every year, we hold a national meeting, just before the American Academy of Optometry’s annual conference, where leaders share the latest research and innovations. It’s an invaluable opportunity for doctors to stay at the forefront of evolving treatments, from new medications to laser procedures such as selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), which is increasingly considered a first–line therapy. ​ The field itself is moving rapidly. For decades, glaucoma care revolved around topical medications. Now, we’re seeing a shift toward laser–based and minimally invasive surgical options that offer better compliance and fewer side effects. But all of these advances hinge on one thing: early and accurate diagnosis. That’s where optometrists come in. As primary eye care providers, they are on the front line of detection, and it’s essential they have both the knowledge and the confidence to make those calls. ​ At ICO, I see that same spirit of advancement reflected in our students and faculty. We’ve significantly expanded opportunities for student research, giving future clinicians hands–on experience in data analysis, experimental design, and evidence–based care; I believe this kind of training is what transforms a student into a lifelong learner. My advice to graduates is always the same: keep learning, attend conferences, and stay connected to professional organizations. The field is evolving too quickly to stand still. ​ After three and a half decades here, ICO feels like home. I didn’t graduate from this institution, but its mission and its people have shaped my career. This collaborative environment we’ve built, where research, teaching, and patient care intersect, is something truly special. I’ve stayed all these years because I love this work, I love this community, and I believe the best innovations in optometry are still ahead of us.