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| The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the Saudi Society of Optometry (SSO) have confirmed the new dates for the 6th World Congress of Optometry (WCO6), to be held in conjunction with the 11th Saudi Optometry Conference and the first SILMO Exhibition in Saudi Arabia, from April 2–4, 2027, at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“Hosting this milestone event in the Eastern Mediterranean region is a significant moment for optometry, and we are confident that the new dates will allow us to realize its full potential,” said Dr. Cindy Tromans, President of the World Council of Optometry.
Learn more at WCO Website and visit the Congress Website. |
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The World Council of Optometry (WCO) is pleased to announce Prof. Vanessa Moodley, Dr. Roger Jordan and Ms. Ntombikayise Zitha as WCO’s Standing Committee Chairs for the 2026–2028 term. WCO welcomes this new and returning committee leadership and looks forward to their guidance as they move their committees forward. Prof. Vanessa Moodley | Education Committee Chair Dr. Roger Jordan | Legislation, Registration, and Standards (LRS) Committee Chair Ms. Ntombikayise Zitha | Public Health Committee Chair
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| The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have released a new version of the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, updated with the latest recommendations from the recently published Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society Dry Eye Workshop III (TFOS DEWS III) report. The updates reflect the inclusion of dry eye etiological drivers, the OSDI-6 symptomatology questionnaire, and some new and refined management options. |
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WCO Committee Member applications are now open! WCO Members interested in participating in a WCO Standing Committee are encouraged to apply by July 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. US Central Time | GMT-5.
Please Note: In order to be a WCO Committee Member, you must be either a WCO Individual Member in good standing or a member of a WCO Member Organization in good standing. |
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| The World Council of Optometry (WCO) recently concluded the inaugural pilot of OPAL: Advanced Practice in Advocacy, a new post-graduate course developed through the support of a 2025 grant from Optometry Giving Sight (OGS). Building on WCO’s Optometry Program in Advocacy and Leadership (OPAL), the advanced track was launched in May 2026 to provide previous OPAL graduates with enhanced training, mentorship and opportunities to strengthen their advocacy impact worldwide.
Running from May 4–25, the online course brought together optometrists from across the globe to deepen their skills in stakeholder engagement.
WCO thanks OGS for its generous support of this program. |
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WCO President Dr. Cindy Tromans, Geographic Representative for Africa Mr. Patrick Mawila and Geographic Representative for the Eastern Mediterranean Mr. Ameer Abou Adela are attending IAPB’s 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE global conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
This annual event brings together stakeholders across the eye health sector to discuss and take action on IAPB’s 2030 In Sight Strategy to end avoidable sight loss by 2030. |
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| Canadian Asociation of Optometrists (CAO) |
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| National Vision Strategy on Eye Care Earlier this month, Minister of Health Marjorie Michel released the National Vision Care Strategy. CAO issued an initial public statement on the strategy, available here. CAO staff are reviewing the strategy to assess its alignment with the five key priorities the Association identified in its submission to Health Canada. CAO will continue working closely with Health Canada and the Minister's Office to ensure optometry is meaningfully represented as we help shape the next phase of this important initiative.
National Vision Health Month Activity CAO launched its digital public education campaign to emphasize the importance of routine comprehensive eye exams. This year’s campaign is running through May Vision Health Month and June to keep the conversation going. |
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| During a Vision Health Month advocacy day on Parliament Hill, CAO President Dr. Allison Scott met with MPs to discuss the future of vision health in Canada, including the importance of advancing Canada's National Strategy for Eye Care.
Optometric Scope
CAO continues to work closely with provincial associations to support advocacy efforts across the country, ensuring optometrists can practice to the full extent of their education and training. To support these efforts, CAO developed the Optimized Scope of Practice Resource Hub, which features evidence-based materials, policy resources, and advocacy tools designed to assist provincial associations in their discussions with governments and stakeholders regarding scope of practice.
Modernizing Vision Care Benefits CAO continues to advance its efforts to educate insurance stakeholders on the importance of modernizing vision care benefits through the Don't Lose Sight campaign. These initiatives have helped raise awareness of the value of comprehensive vision care and have contributed to greater recognition of the need for benefit modernization. Industry publications and insurance stakeholders are increasingly adopting CAO’s language and key messages related to modernizing vision care benefits.
Canadian Journal of Optometry (CJO) CJO published its Summer Issue (Vol. 88, No. 2) on June 1. |
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| American Optometric Association (AOA)
Highlights from
Optometry's Meeting® 2026 Some 2,600 optometry students participated in AOA+ special events, fueling overall registration totals elevating the annual AOA and AOSA member meeting to one of the highest-attended in recent memory.
Vermont advances optometry’s nationwide scope momentum Vermont becomes the 17th state to authorize optometric laser procedures—and the third state in 2026 to modernize optometric practice.
Optometry-led effort yields
official definition of ‘Ocular
Motor Rehabilitation’ Released in November 2025, Ocular Motor Rehabilitation Definition as Applied to the Defense Health Agency/Vision Center of Excellence Practice Recommendations provides a single, consensus-based definition to be used by optometrists, occupational and physical therapists, physiatrists and others who manage the care of patients with visual dysfunctions after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
AOA calls on FTC to
scrutinize Eyebot kiosk In its latest action targeting retail vision kiosks, the AOA is urging an investigation into whether marketing language violates federal consumer protection rules. AOA brings eye health, doctors
of optometry into the national
GLP-1 conversation Amid growing GLP-1 use, the AOA’s national awareness campaign, Eye Deserve More, educates Americans on potential vision risks and reinforces the importance of comprehensive eye exams with a doctor
of optometry. |
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| | Somali Optometry
Association (SOA)
The Somali Optometry Association (SOA) is pleased to share recent activities undertaken in collaboration with national and international partners to promote eye health awareness in Somalia.
On 27 April 2026, SOA co-organized a Women’s Eye Health Event alongside Charity Vision Somalia, Aden Adde International University and the Ministry of Health Somalia. The event focused on raising awareness about women’s eye health and improving access to eye care information.
On 14 May 2026, SOA participated in the World Blindness Awareness Month commemoration in collaboration with Yardimeli Hospital, Aden Adde International University, Charity Vision Somalia and the Somali Ophthalmological Society. The event highlighted the importance of blindness prevention, early detection and public education on eye diseases.
Additionally, on 20 May 2026, SOA joined partners including Aden Adde International University and Charity Vision Somalia in activities marking Myopia Awareness Week, promoting awareness of the increasing prevalence of myopia and the importance of regular eye examinations. |
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| 25th Optometric Congress 25th Optometric Congress | 16-18 October 2026 | San Juan, Puerto Rico Optometric Congress 2026: “On the road to the future”
Check out the Congress Program 2026. |
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49th NOA Conference and Vision Expo & AFCO Annual General Meeting The 49th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Optometric Association, hosting the AGM of the African Council of Optometrists, convenes eye care leaders under the theme Optometrists in a Changing Africa: From Diversity to Unity. The conference will foster continental collaboration, innovation, policy dialogue, and professional integration, advancing unified advocacy and clinical excellence to improve eye health outcomes across Africa. |
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| SAOA Conference: Call for Abstracts A Whole New World – With 2030 In Sight is the theme adopted for SAOA Conference 2026, scheduled to take place at the ICC in Durban from 27-29 August 2026. Members and non-members are invited to participate in the academic programme by submitting an abstract for consideration by the Conference Review Committee. |
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The most important meeting point for optometric science and technology. Date: Sept 3-5, 2026 Location: ExpoFuturo Axle: Research |
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| Academy 2026 Anaheim September 30 – October 3, 2026 Anaheim, California |
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The College of Optometrists of Puerto Rico was created under Law No. 129 of December 17, 1993, as a non-profit entity and is the representative body of the Optometry profession that brings together optometrists with licenses authorized to practice the profession in Puerto Rico. The members of the College of Optometrists of Puerto Rico elect the members of its Board of Governors every two years and are domiciled in the capital city. |
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Over 2 billion people are living with vision impairment. The demand for qualified optometrists has never been greater…and the standard of care has never mattered more.
The WCO Competency Framework for Optometry sets the global benchmark, equipping optometrists with the essential skills to practice effectively across all levels of care through five core domains: Refractive Error—diagnosing and managing myopia, presbyopia and common vision conditions Visual Function Assessment—addressing binocular vision and working with special populations Ocular Health and Ocular Disease—using advanced tools to manage glaucoma, cataracts and beyond Public Health—understanding the social and environmental factors shaping eye health globally Professional Practice—maintaining ethics, managing cases and collaborating within healthcare teams
More than theoretical standards, these are actionable competencies designed to ensure consistent, high-quality care across countries and health systems.
The framework is in place. Now it's up to optometrists to align, lead and shape the future of eye care together. Learn more at WCO Website. |
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Over two billion people are affected by vision impairment, with one billion cases still preventable or untreated. As populations age and myopia continues to rise, the pressure on global eye care systems is accelerating.
WCO’s Why Optometry document highlights the growing role optometrists play in building sustainable, patient-centered eye care systems through: Early detection and management of refractive error and eye disease Accessible, community-based care that expands patient reach Reduced pressure on hospitals and specialist services Integrated care models aligned with the WHO Vision 2030 targets Stronger prevention strategies for conditions like myopia, glaucoma and diabetic
eye disease
Improving global eye health requires addressing systemic challenges alongside clinical care, and strengthening optometry is one of the most effective ways to improve access, efficiency and long-term eye health outcomes worldwide.
Read more of Why Optometry and learn more at the WCO Website. |
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| When seasonal assumptions go uncorrected Sun, sport and screen breaks—on paper, summer should be doing half your job for you. In reality, it’s quietly reinforcing some of eye care’s most persistent half-truths. From myopia myths that overstay their welcome to 20/20 tunnel vision and “seasonal” dry eye that never clocks out, this is the season where assumptions thrive, and clinical nuance gets left out in the heat. |
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