World Council of Optometry Announces 2026 World Optometry Week Theme

Friday, January 16 2026 | 09 h 19 min | News

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) has announced the official theme for World Optometry Week 2026, which will be observed from March 22 to 28, 2026. The theme, “A Shared Vision: Collaboration in Global Eye Care,” highlights the importance of cross-sector cooperation in addressing growing global vision and eye health needs.

World Optometry Day, held annually on March 23, recognizes the essential role optometry plays in global health and emphasizes efforts to expand access to eye care as a fundamental human right. In 2026, the week-long celebration will focus on collaboration as a critical driver of sustainable and equitable eye care worldwide.

According to WCO, challenges identified in the 2019 World Report on Vision, including population growth, aging demographics, and increasing urbanization, continue to place pressure on health systems globally. As demand for vision and eye health services rises, the organization notes that no single profession can meet these needs alone.

“Collaboration is fundamental to the future of eye care,” said Cindy Tromans, President of the World Council of Optometry. “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 2026 theme aligns with broader global health priorities, including the World Health Organization’s call for integrated, people-centred eye care and collaborative approaches to improving access, quality, and sustainability of services. WCO emphasized that placing people at the centre of eye care also requires collaboration to be central to how eye care professionals work together.

WCO is encouraging optometrists and organizations worldwide to make use of its multilingual World Optometry Week social media resources to support advocacy and awareness efforts. Additional materials will be released in the coming weeks. Organizations are also invited to share details of their World Optometry Day and World Optometry Week 2026 activities by contacting WCO directly.

Click HERE for the press release.

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