Official relations between Who and World Council of Optometrists

On the occasion of the world conference on optometric globalization (Wcog) organized by the World Council of optometrists (Wco) in collaboration with the American Optometric Association (Aoa), held in Orlando (Usa) from June 21 through 24, doctor Serge Rensnikoff, Director of the World Health Organization's (Who) Prevention of blindness and deafness program, made an announcement of considerable importance for the world optometry.

'The strength of globalization will have a strong impact on the health of societies throughout the world', Rensnikoff pointed out. 'The social, political and economical dimensions of globalization will provide significant opportunities for global efforts aimed to eliminate avoidable blindness and improve the quality of life in societies throughout the world. It is estimated that globally there are 180 million people with sight problems. About 135 million of these suffer from hypovision. The World Health Organization believes that it is crucial to urgently mobilize further resources as it is envisaged that by 2020 these figures could double'.

'In 1999 WHO began the Vision 2020: the right to sight program to fight worldwide the increase in blindness and sight disabilities due to uncorrected refractive errors. The success of the campaign is based on the strategic alliance with optometrists, ophthalmologists and other personnel in the eyesight field, as well as non-governmental organizations'.

'Who is pleased to announce the start of official relations with the World Council of Optometrists (Wco). Through close interdisciplinary approaches aimed at the prevention of avoidable blindness, optometrists throughout the world will play a vital part in the success of the Vision 2020: the right to sight program'.