WCO releases revised Why Optometry report

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) has launched an updated report which illustrates the role of optometry in public health.

The newly updated report, launched in celebration of World Optometry Day (23 March), calls the strengthening of optometry education, enhanced regulatory frameworks, and the integration of optometrists into primary healthcare settings.

With at least 2.2 billion people globally affected by vision impairment, the revised Why Optometrypaper outlines the need for accessible eye care and the role of optometrists in meeting this need.

The document highlights the disparities in eye care access, particularly in low-income and rural communities.

The Why Optometry report includes recommendations to expand optometry education and competencies in order to strengthen the global workforce and advocating for legislative and regulatory advancements to support optometry’s role in healthcare systems.

The report also recommends promoting optometry-led initiatives to improve early detection and treatment of common eye diseases, as well as encouraging collaboration between private and public healthcare sectors to enhance service delivery.

The 2019 World Report on Vision by the World Health Organization put a spotlight on the global problem of visual impairment, Dr Michelle Piotrowski, lead author of the Why Optometry document.

Piotrowski explained: “The Why Optometry document showcases how optometrists have a primary role in eye care, in addition to the appropriate skills and clinical knowledge to address this global issue.”

“The projected increase in devastating eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration means health systems need to integrate optometry effectively in order to enhance the accessibility and affordability of eye care worldwide,” Piotrowski added.

The WCO has invited policymakers and healthcare providers to engage with the insights in the report and advocate for prioritising eye health as a fundamental component of universal healthcare.

Dr Roger Jordan, WCO legislation, registration, and standards committee chair, explained that the document is designed to help policymakers, regulators, and administrators “better understand the scope of what optometry does and the importance of being part of the healthcare team.”