Opticians Association of Washington

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Opticians Association of Washington

Updates and information regarding Opticianry in Washington A proud member of the Opticians Association of America.

08/13/2026

Meet your past president- Maayan Shuval!!

Maayan has been involved on and off with the OAW since 2014. When she’s not working in her store or out repping she is spending time being creative. gardening, journaling and of course - going to Disneyland. Maayan’s core message is building community. Making people feel safe, heard, and valued is everything!

08/11/2026

Shhhh... no one can know our secret.😂

08/09/2026

Meet your OAW 2nd Vice President: Gina Demmerly!

Gina Demmerly is a Licensed Dispensing Optician and the owner of Wink Eyewear in Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood. She has worked in the optical industry for more than 15 years and is passionate about helping patients find eyewear that fits both their vision needs and personal style.

Gina has been an active member of the Opticians Association of Washington for many years and currently serves as Second Vice President. She previously served as Association President in 2018 and remains committed to supporting the profession through education, advocacy, and mentoring fellow opticians and apprentices.

When she's not in store, Gina enjoys building community, supporting independent businesses, and finding new ways to help patients love what they see. She also cherishes spending time with her two children and is dedicated to giving back through volunteer work, providing vision services both locally and in underserved communities around the world.

Gina believes great eyewear should help people see better, feel confident, and leave with a smile

08/07/2026

CE ALERT!

Are you a little short on CEs? Register now for this virtual CE course on September 19th, and get 1 ABO AND 1 NCLE credit. Explore Intro to Soft Contacts with Andrew Bruce, as well as Optimizing Frame Inventory with Julie Ryan.

CEs are offered through the PNWOA, and are a benefit of your membership in in OAW!

08/05/2026

Meet your Apprentice Board Member: Kayla Andersen!

Hi, I'm Kayla, a passionate Apprentice Optician with four years of hands-on experience in the optical industry. I have a genuine love for learning and am excited to take my ABO and NCLE certification exams in 2027.

I'm passionate about helping fellow apprentices succeed and would love to see more learning opportunities and courses specifically tailored to preparing for the ABO and NCLE exams. I believe that supporting one another and sharing knowledge makes our profession even stronger.

When I'm not immersed in the world of optics, you'll probably find me adding to my collection of 50+ pairs of glasses. I truly love all things eyewear! On the weekends, I love spending time on the softball field, enjoying the competition and camaraderie of the game.

At home, life is made even sweeter by my cat, Freddie, and my fish, Dog, who keep things entertaining.

For me, optics isn't just a career. It's a passion, a community, and a lifelong journey of learning.

08/04/2026

Are you ready to "Fall" for the OAW???

The next OAW conference will be October 9-11 in Richland, Washington. That's right, the heart of Columbia Valley wine country. Vision, Vines, and V...ery awesome opticians!

Save the date!!

08/01/2026

Did you know that August is National Eye Exam Month? Established in 1989, it is your annual reminder to prioritize your eye health. Regular eye exams, in addition to updating prescriptions, also can be the first detection for symptomless diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Take this opportunity to educate your patients about the importance of regular eye exams!

07/29/2026

Do you know this optical legend?

Meet board member Bernie Stewart!!

Bernie Stewart (MA LDO FCLSA (H) NCLE-M FNAO ABO-C) is an ophthalmic optician and educator with many years experience in the field. He specializes in teaching refraction, optics, contact lens and exam preparation.. He has taught in 46 states, 2 foreign countries, at clinics. medical schools and meetings.

Share your favorite Bernie Stewart story below!

07/27/2026

Meet your treasurer: Heidi Adams!

Heidi is a Washington state LDO, as well as ABO/NCLE certified since 2010. She has been involved in the OAW since 2011, currently serving as Treasurer. She has been all the way up the executive chain and now holds the honor and title of Past President. Some of her hobbies include paddle boarding, spending time in nature and both practicing and teaching yoga. She is very passionate about opticianry and just simply taking care of people and holding space for them in any capacity.

07/24/2026

How many of us feel this deep in their souls?

Address

Richland, WA
99352

Website

http://www.oaw.org/

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