Awards

WCO AWARD NOMINATIONS 2027

The 6ᵗʰ World Congress of Optometry (WCO6) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is fast approaching! We eagerly look forward to the educational, professional development, and networking opportunities the conference will facilitate.

At this time, WCO is only accepting eligible nominations for the International Optometrist Award and Young Leader Award.

Since WCO Awards are only to be made from nominations of truly extraordinary contributions to optometry or eye care, they will not necessarily be awarded every year.

Please kindly read through the criteria for each award below.

We look forward to receiving your nominations for individuals you feel are deserving of these awards!

The nomination period will only be open from October 01, 2026 (12:00AM US Central Time/UTC/GMT-5, Thursday) until November 15, 2026 (11:59PM US Central Time/UTC/GMT-6, Sunday).

2027 WCO Awards Nomination Form Link

Distinguished Service Award in Memory of Dr. Uduak Udom

The Distinguished Service Award is given to an optometrist who has made an outstanding contribution over time to the achievement of WCO’s Vision and Mission. In 2019, it was decided to change the title to honour the legacy of the late Dr. Uduak Udom, Past President of WCO.

In order to achieve the WCO vision of a world where optometry makes high quality eye health and vision care accessible to all people, the mission is to facilitate the development of optometry around the world and support optometrists in promoting eye health and vision care as a human right through advocacy, education, policy development and humanitarian outreach.

Since the Award is only to be made from nominations of truly extraordinary contributions to optometry or eye care, it will not necessarily be awarded every year.

Past Winners of the Distinguished Service Award

Winner	Country	Year
Dr. Susan Cooper	Canada	2025
Dr. Scott Mundle	Canada	2023
Dr. Robert Chappell	UK	2017
Prof. George Woo	Hong Kong	2015
Prof. Brien Holden	South Africa	2013
Dr. Antonio Joson, Jr	Philippines	2007
Dr. Anthony Di Stefano	USA	2006
Dr. Francis Kojovi Monrny		2005
Dr. William Baldwin		2001
Dr. Henry W Hofstetter		1999

Nomination Criteria:

There should be clear evidence that the nominee is making an outstanding contribution over time to the achievement of WCO’s Vision and Mission.
Nominees must be a member of a WCO member organisation which is in good standing.
WCO Board of Directors are not eligible for this award until off the board for a minimum of 2 years.

Nominations are invited from a Region or Country, Affiliate or Individual members of the WCO, and should include the following:

Completed nomination form
Letter of nomination explaining why the nominee is particularly deserving of this award and outlining the specific contributions of the nominee
Letter seconding the nomination
Copy of the nominee’s CV

The International Optometrist Award

The International Optometrist Award recognizes an optometrist who has shown outstanding and extraordinary contributions and commitment to the development of the profession of optometry and vision care globally.

As this award is presented to individuals whose influence and involvement have made a significant impact to optometry and vision care on an international basis, it may not be awarded every year.

Past Winners of the International Optometrist Award

Winner	Country	Year
Dr. Abraham Bromberg	Mexico	2025
Dr. Sajeesh Kumar Kamala Raghavan	India/USA	2023
Dr. Allan Jones	Canada	2015
Prof. Shehzad Naroo	UK	2015
Dr. Bina Patel	USA	2015
Dr. Jillia Bird	Antigua	2013
Dr. Hans Bjoern Bakketeig	Norway	2012
Dr. Tom Little	USA	2010
Mr. Ron Fyfe	New Zealand	2008
Prof. Kovin Naidoo	South Africa	2007
Dr. Jerry Vincent	USA	2006
Dr. Paul Berman	USA	2005
Dr. Scott Brisbin	Canada	2004
Dr. Roland Eyime	Nigeria	2003
Prof. Willard Bleything		2002
Dr. Tony Cullen	Canada	2001
Prof. Dan Sheni	South Africa / Nigeria	2000
Mr. Jose Collado	Spain	1999
Dr. Irvin M Borish	USA	1996
Dr. Damian Smith	Australia	1995
Dr. G Burtt Holmes	USA	1993
Mr. Brian Layland OAM	Australia	1992
Mr. Bert Koopman	Netherlands	1991
Prof. Henry Hofsletter	USA	1990
Mr. Svein Hommenstad	Norway	1989
Dr. Claro Cinco	Philippines	1988

Nomination Criteria:

There should be clear evidence that the nominee is making an outstanding contribution to the development of the profession of optometry and vision care globally.
Nominees must be a member of a WCO member organisation which is in good standing.
WCO Board of Directors are not eligible for this award until off the board for a minimum of 2 years.

Nominations are invited from a Region or Country, Affiliate or Individual members of the WCO, and should include the following:

Completed nomination form
Letter of nomination explaining why the nominee is particularly deserving of this award and outlining the specific contributions of the nominee
Letter seconding the nomination
Copy of the nominee’s CV

The Young Leader Award in Memory of Dr. Paul Berman

The World Council of Optometry presents the Young Leader Award in Memory of Dr. Paul Berman to a young optometrist who has made an outstanding contribution over time to the achievement of the WCO’s vision and mission and shows promising future leadership in world optometry.

Past Winners of the Young Leader Award

Winner	Country	Year
Mr. Ameer Abou Adela	Lebanon	2023
Dr. Priya Morjaria	UK	2017

Nomination Criteria:

There should be clear evidence of a real and important contribution to the achievement of WCO’s vision and mission despite the young age of the candidate.
The individual in the opinion of the panel must have the potential to play a future leadership role in world optometry.
The individual should be no more than 35 years of age.
Nominees must be a member of a WCO member organisation which is in good standing.
WCO Board of Directors are not eligible for this award until they have been off the Board for at least two years.

Nominations are invited from a Region or Country, Affiliate or Individual members of the WCO and should include the following:

Completed nomination form
Letter of nomination explaining why the nominee is particularly deserving of this award and outlining the specific contributions of the nominee
Letter seconding the nomination
Copy of the nominee’s CV

The Tribute Award to Outgoing Presidents

We thank our outgoing Presidents for their service and dedication to the optometric field.

Past Recipients of the Tribute Award to Outgoing Presidents

Winner	Country	Year
Dr. Scott Mundle	Canada	2019
Dr. Uduak Udom	Nigeria	2017
Dr. Susan Cooper	Canada	2015
Ms. Tone Garaas-Maudalen	Norway	2013
Prof. George Woo	Hong Kong	2011
Dr. Robert Chappell	UK	2009
Dr. Victor Connors	USA	2007
Prof. D D Sheni	South Africa	2006
Dr. Damien Smith	Australia	2004
Dr. Scott Brisbin	Canada	2002
Mr. Mangred Müller	Germany	2000
Dr. Roland des Groseilliers	Canada	1998