World Council of Optometry

08/06/2026

See what optometry educators are saying about the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, featuring the latest recommendations from TFOS DEWS III, to support evidence-based dry eye care: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKlfzI_VR54.

Learn more!
🔗 https://dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/interactive-dry-eye-wheel/ |

07/27/2026

July is UV Safety Awareness Month.

Extensive UV exposure increases the risk of macular degeneration, cataracts and other UV-related eye conditions. Adults and children alike need protection from harmful UV rays, and the good news is that prevention is simple.

Wearing sunglasses with 100% UV protection every time you spend time outdoors is one of the most effective steps anyone can take to protect their eye health.

This July, help spread the message. Share it with your patients, your community and your peers.

07/27/2026

07/22/2026

Selected participants from around the world have successfully completed the inaugural pilot of the WCO Optometry Program in Advocacy and Leadership (OPAL): Advanced Practice in Advocacy!

Made possible through a 2025 grant from Optometry Giving Sight (OGS), WCO’s OPAL: Advanced Practice in Advocacy equips previous OPAL graduates with enhanced advocacy training, mentorship, and practical opportunities to expand their impact in eye care communities worldwide.

Congratulations to the inaugural OPAL: Advanced Practice in Advocacy graduates!

07/16/2026

Now available on demand: Elevating the Standard of Presbyopia Management.

Presented in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, this global educational event explores expert perspectives on managing and the aging eye, with a focus on ocular health, patient communication, and the latest innovations shaping presbyopia care.

🔗 View now on the Leonardo learning platform!
https://leonardo.essilorluxottica.com/pdp/co149365

07/14/2026

07/09/2026

Launched this Spring by WCO and Alcon, the Dry Eye Management Map is an interactive online tool that instantly links dry eye causes to evidence-based treatments.

Explore the tool at https://dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/interactive-demm/.
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07/02/2026

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.

🔗 Apply Now!
https://worldcouncilofoptometry.info/committee-members/

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.

06/29/2026

Deadline Tomorrow!
One day left to submit an abstract for the 11th Conference of Saudi Optometry (SSO 2027) | 6ᵗʰ World Congress of Optometry (WCO6)!

• Abstract Deadline: June 30, 2026
• Riyadh RICEC | April 2-4, 2027

Don’t miss the opportunity to present your research on a global stage: https://sso.org.sa/en/abstract/.
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06/25/2026

This Fireworks Eye Safety Month, we call for a greater awareness of the risks fireworks pose to eye health— and the steps needed to prevent them.

Here are simple actions that can help protect vision:

• Use proper eye protection
• Avoid handling failed fireworks
• Stay aware of your surroundings
• Keep water nearby
• Seek medical help immediately, if needed
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