WCO to relocate headquarters to AOA offices

The American Optometric Association and the World Council of Optometry announced that the WCO will move its offices from London to the AOA’s headquarters in St. Louis.

The relocation is expected to be completed by this fall.

“This is a big win for our profession and the unity of our leading organizations,” AOA President David Cockrell, OD, said in a joint press release. “The World Council of Optometry – which has a vital global humanitarian, scientific and education mission – often looks to the advocacy and public health successes of our AOA and state associations for inspiration and guidance. The work WCO leaders do is important and is aimed at making a difference in countries still lacking access to essential eye health care services.”

WCO President Susan Cooper, OD, stated in the release: “The WCO and the AOA share a collective determination to make eye health and vision care accessible to all communities, and the WCO looks forward to sharing a working environment with the AOA.

“The WCO has made great strides in developing a stronger and more responsive organization,” she continued. “The enormity of the challenge in meeting global eye care needs and in expanding the role of optometry in many countries across the world could be daunting. However, we know collaboration and joint action can take us a long way and provide positive results.”

The WCO has 90 member organizations, representing more than 200,000 optometrists in 54 countries, according to the release. The group “works to facilitate the development of optometry around the world and supports optometrists in promoting eye health and vision care as a human right through advocacy, education, policy development and humanitarian outreach.”

The World Optometry Foundation, which is the WCO’s fundraising arm and a partner of Optometry Giving Sight, will relocate along with the WCO.