July 7th marked the completion of Phase 1 of the multi–year renovation of the IEI’s Primary Eye Care Center, setting the stage for a modern, patient–centered clinic experience.

ICO family spirit was on full display at Optometry's Meeting 2025, with ICO students receiving the 'Student Bowl Spirit Award' during the AOSA Optometry Student Bowl XXXIII, sponsored by EssilorLuxottica. 

Each summer, ICO opens its doors to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students to offer a glimpse into the work life on campus. 

For over two decades, ICO has worked with the Lions Club International to bring vision care to Special Olympics athletes, this year’s Opening Eyes screening was no exception. 

August brought fresh energy to campus as 125 new students began their ICO journeys. Orientation week was filled with laughter, curiosity, and a few nervous smiles as the Class of 2029 unpacked their belongings and began making new friends. 

Ten ambitious students from across the nation arrived on campus this July for ICO’s Focus on Your Future program: a week filled with discovery, learning, and connection. 

ICO took on 12 new residents this summer, each bringing expertise and enthusiasm to their chosen specialty. 

These emerging clinicians are sure to play a key role in shaping patient care and research at the Illinois Eye Institute while inspiring the next generation of optometry students.

This year’s ICOlympics saw teams face off for another afternoon of fierce, but friendly, competition with teams participating in everything from tug–of–war and dodgeball to volleyball and water balloon tossing. 

Our annual Homecoming weekend took on a scholarly tone as ICO hosted the Optometric Glaucoma Foundation’s ninth annual Glaucoma Educators Program. The event drew experts from across the globe to discuss the future of glaucoma care.  

This summer, ICO’s SVOSH teams extended their service far beyond campus borders. Traveling to St. Vincent and Cusco, Peru, students and faculty provided comprehensive eye care to more than 3,000 patients over eight clinic days. 

Under the glow of proud smiles and camera flashes, and with their loved ones in attendance, the Class of 2028 donned their white coats for the first time on August 23rd. 

ICO shined at the Illinois Optometric Association’s 2025 Annual Meeting, where students and alumni took home top honors. 

Each of these notable achievements continue to reaffirm ICO’s enduring tradition of excellence and leadership in the field.

Fifty research posters, dozens of student authors and one unforgettable showing. ICO set a new record at the American Academy of Optometry’s 2025 meeting in Boston, where students and faculty shared cutting–edge work across clinical and scientific disciplines. 

A new chapter of leadership begins at ICO with the addition of Joshua J. Rogers, OD ’16, MBA, FAAO; Stephen Krates, DO; and Samantha L. Love, OD ’05, to the Board of Trustees. The Board also announced its 2025–2027 officers.

On November 2, 2025, ICO hosted its Myopia Management Symposium, a six–hour, in–person continuing education program presented to a capacity crowd. One week later, on November 9, 2025, ICO held its annual Fall CE Program.