Illinois College of Optometry

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Illinois College of Optometry

The Illinois College of Optometry is among the world's leading optometric institutions. Learn more about us at www.ico.edu.

ICO is dedicated solely to the student of optometry- and proud of it. Our unmatched resources make us the ideal home for aspiring eye doctors. Students who choose ICO leave as well-rounded ODs, best prepared for life. Our optometry-focused faculty and courses cultivate great doctors. From their very first year, ICO students get hands-on clinical experience with real patients in the Illinois Eye In

stitute. Our campus offers convenient space to live and study in, just steps from class. We’re also located minutes from the heart of Chicago. The Windy City is a hub of culture and entertainment- not to mention the home of over 2.5 million potential optometric patients! Whether or not they stay in Chicago, our graduates are ready for anything. ICO has the largest optometric alumni network in the United States. So, wherever our ODs roam, a top-notch team has their backs. This page is home to news, blog posts, events coverage, photos, and more from ICO. If you see something you love (and we hope you do,) learn more at ICO.edu.

05/18/2026

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, ICO proudly celebrated its 183rd Commencement Ceremony, welcoming 104 exceptional new Doctors of Optometry into the profession, including this year's valedictorian Joseph Tawfic!

This year's ceremony also saw ICO recognize several special individuals for their contributions to optometry and our community:

Jeffrey W. Smith, OD, MBA was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science in Optometry in recognition of his extraordinary 21 years of service to ICO's Leadership Circle, and his dedication as a member of the Board of Trustees, including serving as Board Chair and Interim President.

Susan Tobert, MSW, and Alfred A. Rosenbloom III, PhD were each awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters for their enduring commitment to The Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging, honoring the lifelong vision of their parents, Alfred A. Rosenbloom Jr., OD, MA, DOS, and Sarah Rosenbloom.

Tracy Matchinski, OD was presented with the first-ever Rosenbloom Family Professor of Low Vision Medallion, appointed by Stephanie Messner and approved by Mark Colip, in recognition of her distinguished leadership in low vision rehabilitation, dedication to student education, and commitment to patient care.

To the Class of 2026: congratulations! We could not be more proud and it's clear to see that the future is bright for each and every one of you.

📸 View the official photo album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCU8EH
▶️ Watch the full ceremony: https://youtube.com/live/4jL8wiykcE0

05/15/2026

What an extraordinary week it has been at ICO! We celebrated our amazing staff during Employee Appreciation, recharged and reconnected as a faculty community during our Faculty Retreat, and watched our students shine during this year's Capstone.

And the best is still to come, as we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2026 tomorrow morning at ICO's 183rd Commencement! To our soon-to-be newest doctors of optometry: you have worked incredibly hard for this moment. The future of eye care is in the very best of hands!

Remember to tune in tomorrow at 10 am for the Commencement Live Stream over on the ICO YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/4jL8wiykcE0?feature=share

05/12/2026

This coming weekend marks the start of a new chapter in the optometric journey of our 4th year students.

Please join over on our YouTube channel this Saturday as we celebrate the ICO Class of 2026 at their Commencement Ceremony!

📅 Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
💻 Live stream: https://ow.ly/iaSn50YYm5B

Whether you're cheering from the seats at Symphony Center or watching live from wherever life has taken you, we encourage everyone in the ICO family to tune in and share this incredible milestone with our soon-to-be ODs!

05/08/2026

ICO Shined at ARVO 2026 in Denver!

This past week, Illinois College of Optometry students and faculty joined eye and vision scientists from around the world at the ARVO Annual Meeting, the premier global gathering for vision research, held May 3–7 in Denver, Colorado.

ICO was well represented, presenting a total of 17 research posters at the meeting, including 8 student research presentations. Dr. Jennifer Harthan & the SCOPE research group presented four posters, with Dr. Harthan later joining Dr. Yi Pang to present for a mini-symposium on Pediatric Dry Eye Disease.

It was a proud showcase of the innovative work happening right here at ICO and a testament to the bright future of our ever-growing profession.

05/04/2026

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we’d like to recognize and thank the dedicated educators who help shape the journey of our optometry students. Your knowledge, mentorship, and unwavering commitment make a lasting impact.

We sincerely appreciate the difference you make each and every day!

04/30/2026

Big things are happening at ICO 👁️✨

ICO is proud to continue our commitment to the Bronzeville community with the expansion of our Primary Eye Care Center, now entering its final phase. Phase 2 opened on November 17, 2025, and with Phase 3 receiving full City occupancy approval, we’ve begun transitioning into the new space, where new exam rooms are already in use.

We’re preparing for the official opening on May 18, 2026. Once complete, the facility will span 15,000 square feet and include three connected clinic suites, 37 exam lanes, and 16 testing and procedure rooms, enhancing both patient care and clinical education.

A grand opening celebration will follow during Homecoming Weekend, September 11–13, 2026!

04/20/2026

Dancing among dinosaurs at the Field Museum, this year’s EyeBall transformed one of Chicago’s most iconic spaces into a night of elegance and celebration. 🦖

Students, faculty, and friends gathered this past Saturday for an unforgettable evening filled with dancing, great food, and even better company—trading scrubs for suits and dresses.

A heartfelt thank you to Ashley King '28 and our incredible ICO Student Association for the dedication, care, and effort that made this beautiful night possible. ✨

04/15/2026

On April 1, 2026, the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI) celebrated 50 years of Brewer/Taylor Lions Low Vision Clinic operation with a ceremony at the school.

Derrald Taylor, OD '68, one of the founders of the clinic, was in attendance to celebrate this historic event.

During the 50 years the clinic has operated, it has provided more than $2 million worth of services, according to school officials. The clinic has also provided 3,000+ vision rehabilitation examinations and trained 200+ residents in the practice of vision rehabilitation.

Congratulations on this remarkable achievement!

04/14/2026

For Quiz Bowl 2026, the theme was Hippie vs. Drippy where students cheered on their fellow classmates and had the opportunity to win raffle prizes!☮️😎

Congratulations to Laird Busselberg, the Quiz Bowl 2026 Champion! Laird will go on to compete at the National EyeQ Championship against other students at the AOA Optometry’s meeting. 🏆

Shoutout to our other contestants Akash Goel, Sydney Norris, Ellie Derr, Brandon Trider, and William Hu for competing. Special thanks to Lucas Scordo and the AOSA Board for putting on such an amazing event. Until next year!🏅

04/13/2026

We’re still energized from this past Friday’s 29th Annual Practice Opportunities Symposium on the ICO campus!

Each year, the Career Development team brings together students and alumni to explore the many paths within optometry, and this year was no exception. From residency and private practice to corporate, specialty/non-traditional paths, and even a dedicated panel for Canadian practitioners, attendees had the chance to gain valuable insights from professionals across North America.

A big thank you to all of our incredible student participants, alumni, faculty, guest speakers, vendors, and organizers who made this year's event such a success! Your time, knowledge, and enthusiasm continue to inspire the next generation of optometrists!

We’re proud to continue supporting these meaningful connections and conversations that help shape the future of the profession.

Address

3241 S Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL
60616

Telephone

+13129497000

Website

http://www.ico.edu/

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