Feb. 6, 2025 — The World Council of Optometry (WCO) has announced the theme for World Optometry Week 2025, "Eyes to the Future: Optometry Improving Global Wellness." The annual observance, scheduled for March 17-23, will conclude with World Optometry Day on March 23. The event aims to highlight the role of optometry in health care and its contribution to global wellness.
“As an optometrist and the president of WCO, I am proud to see how the care we offer our patients helps lead to increased awareness of health issues, more involvement in prevention of vision and overall health problems, along with early diagnosis, quality eye care, and integration of vision and eye health as a part of universal health care,” says WCO president Sandra Block, OD. “We know that visual impairment can negatively affect our patients, so we need to collectively work with the health care team to ensure the best outcomes possible.”
The growing global population, aging demographics, and urbanization present challenges for health care systems, particularly in providing sustainable eye care. WCO underscores that optometry is well-positioned to address these challenges by expanding its role in primary eye care and working within collaborative health care models.
In March 2024, WCO introduced the Competency Framework for Optometry, outlining the skills necessary for optometrists to contribute effectively to global eye care. The framework highlights the importance of training optometrists not only in vision correction but also in monitoring and treating eye diseases, particularly in regions with limited access to specialized care.
Looking ahead, WCO urges health care leaders and policymakers to prioritize eye care in global health initiatives. The organization advocates for integrating optometry into health care teams to improve early detection and treatment of eye diseases worldwide.
WCO intends for World Optometry Week 2025 to serve as a platform for discussions on the evolving role of optometry in global health. WCO encourages both eyecare and health care professionals to participate in advocacy efforts and use available multilingual resources to promote awareness during the weeklong observance.