World Council of Optometry announces A shared vision theme for World Optometry Week

A shared vision has been announced at the theme for this year’s World Optometry Week, which takes place March 22–28.

Organised annually by the World Optometry Council (WCO), the week aims to celebrate optometry’s vital role in global health while highlighting how optometrists worldwide are expanding access to eye care as a fundamental human right. It culminates in World Optometry Day on 23 March.

The Shared vision theme calls for collaboration in global eye health, with the WCO highlighting the key issues outlined in the 2019 World Report on Vision, which identified a growing global population, ageing demographics, and rising urbanisation as posing significant challenges to healthcare systems. significant challenges to healthcare systems.

“As demand continues to rise globally, no single profession can address the world’s growing vision and eye health needs alone,” the organisation said.

President of the WCO, Cindy Tromans, emphasised that “collaboration is fundamental to the future of eye care,” adding: “Optometrists are important primary vision and eye health providers, and our greatest impact comes when we work with others across the health system. This theme reflects both the reality of modern eye care and our shared responsibility to ensure no one is left behind.”

The theme of the week has been selected and designed to align with a range of global health priorities, including the World Health Organization’s call for integrated, people-centred eye care and collaborative cross-sector efforts to improve access, quality, and sustainability of services.

To support the profession in celebrating and raising awareness of the week, the WCO has produced a range of multilingual resources which can be downloaded from its website.