Regional Organizations

The WCO works closely with the six WCO world regions in order to provide assistance, share news and ensure that global optometry is well represented within the WCO membership base. We thank the regional organizations for their work in the development of optometry.

Africa

Asia Pacific

Eastern Mediterranean

Europe

Latin America

North America

Our Partners

WCO collaborates with several strategic partners in order to meet global eye and vision care needs. We must work together to promote vision care and eye health for all.

The World Optometry Foundation (WOF)

The WCO is the sole member of the WOF. The WOF was established to finance vision care projects that foster self-sufficiency, long-term independence and reduce avoidable blindness among developing nations.

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)

WCO has a trustee on the IAPB Board which allows WCO to help drive the work of IAPB and influence global eye health policies through representation on the IAPB Board of Trustees, the key decision-making body of IAPB.

- Represented in IAPB working groups including Diabetic Retinopathy, Refractive Error, School Eye Health and Gender Equity.
- Represented on the Refractive Error Coalition, developed by IAPB and Essilor, to find way to improve collaboration on refractive error between different sectors with the goal that by 2050 everyone has access to the care and glasses they need.

The Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC)

With 50% of the population impacted by the year 2050 and 20% of the myopic patients having high myopia, urgent action is needed. WCO is proud to support GMAC’s mission to promote public awareness of childhood myopia as a treatable disease through direct to consumer channels and awareness with governments, NGOs and other health care associations.