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New England College of Optometry (NECO) celebrated the Class of 2025 on May 18, 2025 during its 131^st Commencement Exercises at Boston’s renowned Symphony Hall.

BOSTON, MA — The Board of Trustees at New England College of Optometry (NECO) is pleased to announce the distinguished honorees for its 131st Commencement Exercises, which will take place on May 18, 2025, at Boston’s renowned Symphony Hall.

Imagine being able to see the world around you, but your brain can’t make sense of what your eyes are taking in. That’s the daily reality for individuals living with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), the leading cause of vision loss among kids in the United States (NEI.GOV). Despite its complex symptoms, CVI remains one of the least understood or recognized conditions in the medical and educational fields.

This article first appeared in Women in Optometry and its corresponding “WO Voices” podcast

Boston, MA—[March 31, 2025] New England College of Optometry (NECO) has announced plans to endow a scholarship to honor Maureen Hanley, OD, Class of 1981. This cherished faculty member dedicated more than four decades to shaping the future of optometry before her passing on March 8, 2025, at the age of 69.

Boston, MA – [March 13, 2025] New England College of Optometry (NECO) mourns the passing of Maureen Hanley, OD, Class of 1981, a cherished faculty member who dedicated more than four decades to shaping the future of optometry. Dr. Hanley passed away on March 8, 2025, at the age of 69.

For many optometry students, deciding what to do after graduation is a difficult choice with many options to consider. Each year, about 500 of optometry school graduates across the country choose to develop advanced clinical skills in a focused area of the profession by pursuing residency training. 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in individuals over 50. It affects central vision and significantly impacts daily life. This progressive eye disease targets the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. AMD only affects a person’s central vision, so it won’t directly cause total blindness. The peripheral vision remains intact, leading to what is called a scotoma, or a blindspot, in the center of one’s field of vision.

Living in the Boston area means temperatures have dropped and winter winds have picked up. Just like in the springtime, your eyes in winter are particularly vulnerable to the harsh environmental conditions. This cold winter weather may lead to a range of eye-related issues like reduced tear production or increased sensitivity.

It is with pride we recognize and pay tribute to these talented professionals and recognize them as truly outstanding individuals. Congratulations to our 2024 Distinguished Alumni: Dr. Karen G. Carrasquillo ’05, Dr. Charles F. Mullen ’69, and Dr. Eli Peli ’83.