You are:

Social Bookmark

WCO vision

About us

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) is an international organisation, with a mission to facilitate the enhancement and development of eye and vision care worldwide, via education, policy development and humanitarian outreach.

Optometry exists in 90 countries and WCO is committed to promoting optometry worldwide, providing a network for exchanging ideas and innovation.

Where we work

Collectively, the 150 organisations within our network represent over 300,000 optometrists, across six world regions. These regions are:

  • Africa
  • America
  • Asia Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • Middle East

You can see a list of our members here.

What we do

WCO serves as a forum for member organisations to respond to public health needs and opportunities around the world. In the changing world of optometry, we act as a unifying voice, encouraging the launch of international projects and services that meet the needs of patients, optometrists and the ophthalmic industry.

In countries where optometry is well established, we are working towards improving optometric services or expanding the scope of practice, and we support the development of optometry in countries that need our assistance.

 

This content requires Flash

Download the free Flash Player now!

Our objectives

  • The enhancement and development of primary eye and vision care by optometrists.
  • The promotion of high standards of education and practice by optometrists including by the promotion of international coordination of optometrists.
  • The provision of support to aid programmes directed at the provision of eye and vision care to societies in need.
  • The promotion of the advancement of the science of optometry.

Education

Our involvement in optometric education enables us to share and debate global optometric education issues, practice and teaching methods.

Building on current standards of optometric education is a crucial part of our role.

Policy and legislation

WCO’s work in policy development is based on our worldwide network of leaders, experts, peers and resources, dedicated to promoting optometry as a healthcare profession.

Our member organisations are able to inform and contribute to the development of policy and legal frameworks for eye and vision care globally.

Humanitarian outreach

WCO is heavily involved in humanitarian outreach programmes with its partners, the World Optometry Foundation (WOF) and Optometry Giving Sight (OGS).

WOF is a complementary, not-for-profit organisation that was established by WCO to finance projects that foster self-sufficiency and long-term independence among developing nations.

WOF was a founding member of OGS, the only global fundraising initiative specifically targeting the prevention of blindness due to refractive error and helping those with permanent low vision.

Partnerships

We have developed partnerships with many international organisations dedicated to improving social welfare, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).