Dear members and followers,
We are happy to present our World Council of Optometry (WCO) October e-news!
This has been a challenging year for all of us, both personally and in our role as health care providers. We all looked forward to 2020, the year of vision. We looked forward to making 2020 a year that would see us educate our patients, other health care providers, educators, and government representatives about the importance of vision and eye health and the growing magnitude of vision impairment and blindness.
In less than 6 months, the COVID-19 virus changed our plans and our world. In the face of this adversity and challenge, we are finding new ways to connect and support each other as we adapt to a changing world and new ways to deliver vision and eyecare. WCO is here to assist wherever we can.
At the beginning of the month, many joined us in raising awareness of vision impairment and blindness for World Sight Day on October 8th. We look forward to sharing the stories of those that participated and sent us the information on their events!
I invite you to visit our new website which includes easier navigation and an updated Advocacy page with helpful resources regarding scope of practice, curricular support information and information on why optometry plays a critical role in global vision and eyecare.
In efforts to increase access to eye care worldwide, I would like to applaud Public Health Committee Chair Dr. Sandra Block and Education Committee Chair Prof. Tuwani Rasengane for their contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Package of Eye Care Interventions (PECI) project and article.
WCO is very appreciative of your past support! Your membership has supported us in achieving so much over the past year and we are looking forward to achieving even more in the new year with you. Please use the link to see what we have accomplished in this challenging year!
I send my well wishes to you and your family, and WCO looks forward to continuing to find ways to serve our members well.
Sincerely,
Mr. Paul Folkesson
WCO President