The American Optometrist Association awarded Benjamin P. Casella, OD, an alumnus of the UAB School of Optometry, the 2019 Optometrist of the Year Award at the Optometry’s Meeting in St. Louis.

“I am thrilled and humbled by this award,” said Dr. Casella. “I never expected such an honor, and I’m very grateful to my optometry families at the AOA, the GOA, and Optometry Times, as well as my own family for affording me the opportunities to play a small role in the advancement of our profession.”

Casella graduated from UABSO in 2007 and later completed his residency at State University of New York College in 2008. The third generation optometrist now owns his family’s practice in Augusta, Ga., named Casella Eye Center.

Casella wears many hats serving as the chief optometric editor of Optometry Times, AOA Evidence Based Optometry Committee and he has held positions within the Georgia Optometry Association. This award is one of many Casella has received. He was named Young OD of the South by SECO International in 2014 and Georgia Optometric Association Young OD of the Year. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a diplomat of the American Board of Optometry.