Alumni Continuing Education Event of Aalen University Combines Clinical Excellence, International Expertise and a Powerful Professional Network
Aalen Friends of Optometry e.V. invites optometrists, alumni, and prospective students to a two-day continuing education event on September 26-27, 2026.
Benediktbeuern, Germany. On September 26 and 27, 2026, the alumni association Aalen Friends of Optometry e.V. will host its annual continuing education event at the historic Benediktbeuern Abbey. The two-day meeting will bring together alumni, current students, practicing optometrists and prospective students from Germany and abroad, offering a unique combination of advanced clinical education, scientific exchange and professional networking. The program reflects the international character and strong clinical focus of Aalen University’s part-time master’s program Vision Science and Business (Optometry).
Participants can expect a wide range of clinically relevant topics, including ocular diseases, neurological case studies, modern IOP diagnostics, dry eye management, differential diagnoses of glaucoma, vision therapy, post-refractive laser surgery care, keratoconus, and complex contact lens fittings. The program is complemented by insights into modern eye-tracking technologies and the latest therapeutic developments.
For this high-caliber continuing education program, Georg Scheuerer—a master’s graduate from Aalen and chairman of the alumni association “Aalen Friends of Optometry e.V.”—has once again succeeded in securing renowned speakers from the U.S., Switzerland, Germany, Slovenia, and Croatia. Speakers include, among others, Prof. Dr. Lorne Yudcovitch, Prof. Dr. Denise Goodwin, and Dr. Joshua Torrent Despouy. It is particularly noteworthy that many other speakers are themselves graduates of the Aalen master’s program. Many of them have 10 to 20 years of clinical experience and have earned an excellent reputation both nationally and internationally. Today, they contribute to the advancement of optometry as thought leaders, expert authors, lecturers, and clinical specialists, and are thus among the world’s leading figures in the field of optometry. Their career paths exemplify the high quality of the Aalen master’s program and the strength of Aalen’s global network. In their lectures, they combine the latest scientific findings with practical solutions for the day-to-day care of clients and patients.
The continuing education course is accredited for 12 SwissOptom credits and 8 Continuing Optometric Education (COE) credits, making it a high-quality opportunity for professional development. A special offer is available for bachelor’s degree graduates interested in pursuing further academic studies: They can attend the event free of charge and gain an exclusive insight into the M.Sc. in Vision Science and Business (Optometry) program at the University of Aalen. This English-language master’s program in optometry is distinguished by instruction from professors from the United States. Once a month, for five days from Friday through Tuesday, two professors with practical experience from renowned U.S. universities – specifically the College of Optometry at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, and the New England College of Optometry (NECO) in Boston, Massachusetts visit Aalen.
The weekend also provides an ideal platform for current master’s students and alumni to exchange clinical experiences, establish new professional contacts and strengthen existing networks. The close connection between academia, clinical practice and the international optometric community has made this event a fixture in the calendars of many participants for years. A particular highlight is the traditional Saturday Night Party, organized by current master’s students. In a relaxed atmosphere, attendees can continue professional discussions, develop new collaborations and further expand Aalen’s global optometric network.
Program & Registration: https://www.optometry-friends.com/alumni-meeting-2026/
