World Council of Optometry and Alcon Expand Partnership to Advance Dry Eye Disease Education

Thursday, January 29 2026 | 08 h 46 min | News

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have renewed and expanded their global education partnership aimed at advancing professional understanding and management of dry eye disease. Now entering its fourth year, the initiative continues to focus on practical education around the mitigation, measurement, and management of dry eye disease for optometrists worldwide.

Since its launch in 2022, the collaboration has generated strong engagement across the global optometric community, reflecting the growing need for accessible education and clinical resources related to dry eye care.

Dry eye disease is a chronic and often painful condition affecting an estimated 1.6 billion people globally. Its prevalence continues to rise, driven by factors such as increased screen use, environmental conditions, and an aging population.

“We are excited to extend and build upon our partnership with Alcon for the fourth year,” said Cindy Tromans, BSc (Hons), PhD, FEAOO, President of the World Council of Optometry.

“Supporting dry eye education for optometrists globally is essential, as the disease can lead to additional complications and a decline in quality of life if it is not properly identified and managed. Our continued collaboration will bring new tools and resources that can be used in both clinical practice and academic settings.”

Alcon also emphasized the importance of education in addressing the growing burden of dry eye disease.

“The global increase in dry eye disease is concerning, but we’re encouraged by the optometry community’s strong commitment to improving detection and care,” said Carla Mack, OD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, Head of Global and U.S. Professional Education and Development at Alcon.

“Through this multiyear educational initiative, we aim to empower optometrists to have more meaningful conversations with patients and colleagues about measuring, managing, and mitigating dry eye disease in their communities.”

Tools and Resources for Optometrists and Educators

Central to the initiative is the dedicated microsite, dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info, which hosts the WCO–Alcon Dry Eye Wheel. This interactive tool is designed to support optometrists in identifying and managing dry eye disease using a practical, structured approach built around three pillars of care: mitigation, measurement, and management.

Developed in consultation with Professors Jennifer Craig, Lyndon Jones, and James Wolffsohn, the platform also features recorded educational webinars and a range of supporting resources intended for use in both clinical and educational environments.

Additional information about the partnership and available resources can be found at dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info.

Click HERE for the press release.

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