Some 130 global optometry leaders attended the WCO2015 Presidential Forum.
Professor George Woo was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.
The World Council of Optometry launched “Why Optometry” to explain equitable eyecare for the WHO Global Action Plan.
MEDELLIN, Colombia—Thousands of optometric professionals from around the globe converged here in mid-August at the first World Congress of Optometry. It was a meeting described by organizers as “the first global event to encompass all aspects of optometry in order to share knowledge, explore clinical and technological innovation and establish an agreed holistic policy for the sector and for the future of accessible eyecare.”

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the Colombian Federation of Optometrists (FEDOPTO), were organizers of the 1st World Congress of Optometry, which kicked off here Aug. 14 to 16, announced Alcon as platinum sponsor of the event.

While the WCO held two separate conferences in the past (the World Optometric Education conference and the Globalisation conference) a WCO spokesperson told VM, “In 2011 it was decided to merge both meetings into one. In 2013, WCO held its General Delegates Meeting alongside the European Academy meeting, but only now WCO is able to materialize the concept in partnership with one of its members, the Colombian Federation of Optometrists.

“This is the first World Congress of Optometry encompassing scientific, educators, public outreach, strategic and commercial aspects in one platform. The Congress also has the support of the Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics (ALDOO). The Congress represents a paradigm shift for WCO which will result in the event rotating to different parts of the globe biennially while ensuring sustainable support for the development of the profession.”

This year’s global event will include, “an innovative educators’ program, a public outreach fair and the most diverse commercial exhibit that WCO and FEDOPTO have ever hosted,” according to the spokesperson, who added, “Additionally, the unique Presidential Forum will congregate the presidents of national optometric associations, deans and presidents of schools of optometry, leaders of the optical industry and research bodies, the World Health Organization and other key partners to discuss the impact of optometry and develop the optometric agenda of the future.” All main program sessions were COPE approved.

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care was a platinum sponsor. Alcon, a Novartis company, a global leader in eyecare, also supported the Congress as a platinum sponsor

Essilor was a gold sponsor. Menicon was a bronze sponsor.

SECO International sponsored one of the lecturers, and WCO members, the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Optometry, presented lectures and facilitated the presence of two other lecturers, according to the event spokesperson.

India will host the 2017 World Congress of Optometry Conference in Hyderabad from Sept. 11 to 13 as announced by Susan Cooper, president of the World Council of Optometry (WCO) during the inaugural World Congress of Optometry in Colombia.

The congress is set to be hosted by the Indian Vision Institute (IVI) in partnership with the WCO and is predicted to attract around 2,000 delegates and 70 exhibitors from around the world.

“The Congress will prove to be a landmark in the history of Indian optometry and will accelerate the positive change that is happening in Indian optometry,” Vinod Daniel, IVI CEO said. “IVI continues to work with government, health authorities, eyecare professionals, academic institutions and industry to make a sustainable difference for provision of eyecare in India; and this conference will be a celebratory milestone for India.” n