The Optical Group Announces Strategic Equity Investment in the Academy of Ophthalmic Education

Canada — The Optical Group (theopticalgroup.ca) and the Academy of Ophthalmic Education (AOE) (aoece.com/) announce that The Optical Group has acquired an ownership interest in AOE, effective January 1, 2026. This strategic equity investment follows several months of constructive dialogue focused on strengthening educational offerings and long-term support for Canada’s opticianry and optometry communities.

The Optical Group’s investment is intended to support AOE’s continued growth, innovation, and educational reach while preserving the organization’s established strengths, academic direction, and operational autonomy.

This investment reflects a shared commitment to strategic collaboration that aligns AOE’s educational expertise with The Optical Group’s industry support services, creating meaningful and practical value for eyecare professionals across the Canadian optical sector.

“At The Optical Group, we invest in initiatives that create lasting value for our members. Our partnership with AOE, a trusted leader in professional education, strengthens access to high-quality education and helps shape opportunities that support eyecare professionals today and into the future,” said  Ruth Priebe, Managing Director, The Optical Group.

“The partnership between AOE and The Optical Group marks an important step forward for the vision care industry, strengthening collaboration across the profession and supporting a more connected, patient-centred approach to care in Canada,” said Ali Khan, CEO and President, Academy of Ophthalmic Education.

Founded in 1988, The Optical Group is one of Canada’s larger national optical buying groups, providing purchasing benefits, consolidated billing, and member services to independent eyecare professionals.

Founded in 1994, the Academy of Ophthalmic Education (AOE) is a leading accredited continuing education provider serving opticians and optometrists across Canada and the United States. AOE delivers education through its proprietary online learning platform, live webinars, and Optifair, Canada’s only optical tradeshow that brings opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists together at a single national event.

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