Our 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.

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Country Membership

Country Membership is open to national associations of optometry and contributes to advancing optometric education and legislation around the world.

Country Members must:

  • Be a national association representing optometrists
  • Be a member of their regional organization OR join their regional organization within 3 years of becoming a WCO member
  • Have a written constitution or governing document
  • Endorse the WCO Concept of Optometry and support WCO’s vision and mission

If your organization does not fulfill the requirements of a Country Membership, please review Affiliate Membership or Corporate Membership.

Country Membership Benefits

  • Official Membership Letter and Certificate
  • Right of representation by Delegates to attend and speak at open sessions including the General Assembly
  • Right to vote at the General Assembly (one vote per country so in the case of more than one Country Member in a country, the organizations will need to collaborate)
  • Right to use the WCO logo to show your support of global optometry
  • E-news and Members-only communications
  • Ability to promote your events on our events page
  • Right to apply for WCO Grants for innovative global optometric initiatives

Membership Dues

Membership dues vary based on location and number of members in your organization.  Once your membership application has been approved, the WCO office will contact you with more information regarding the annual membership dues amount.

The WCO annual membership cycle runs from January 1st-December 31st.

Apply for Country Membership

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact us.