World Optometry Day 2024: How does optometry make the world a better place?

March 23 is World Optometry Day, and we asked members of the optometric community one question: How does optometry make the world a better place?

Every March, the World Council of Optometry (WCO) sets aside a week to celebrate the contributions of optometrists to the global community. This year, the week culminates with March 23, World Optometry Day. In celebration, we asked optometrists, students, leaders, and patients how optometrists make the world a better place. Their answer is unsurprising to those of us in the industry: They care for their patients.

From ODs to students and techs and opticians—the community comes together to provide the best possible care for our patients year-round, which we celebrate today. We stand together to preserve vision across the globe, whether it is in a clinic, helping a patient pick out their first pair of glasses, or in a lab, pushing research forward on the latest assistive tech for patients with vision loss.

“In the bigger picture we need to remember that the care given must be appropriate for our patients and their quality of life. We can all agree, and it is shown by the evidence, that many vision and eye health problems do not occur in isolation,” said Sandra Block, OD, M Ed, MPH, FAAO, FCOVD, president of WCO. “Whether it is a vision problem that leads to loss of independence, the reality that vision issues are often found as a co-morbidity for our patients or may even be the first sign of an impending systemic disease process, receiving care even before there are signs or symptoms can improve overall health outcomes. Even problems that are solely visual, if addressed early can yield better functional outcomes including refractive problems. Starting the process with health promotion, ensuring our patients are knowledgeable and think about prevention and not simply addressing problems after the emerge can improve quality of life.”

Thank you to those who participated in this video compilation:

M. Araba Otoo OD, MPH

Williams Eye Institute

Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO

University of Colorado School of Medicine

Glenda Aleman Moheeputh, OD

OK Love Myopia Control Experts

Idelish Gonzalez

Optometry Student, Illinois College of Optometry

Julie Song, OD, FAAO

Fromer Eye Centers

Rachel Steele, OD

Charles Retina Institute

Nivine Woods, PharmD, MBA

EyeCare Partners, Ophthalmic World Leaders

Raymond Jackson

Optometry Student, Illinois College of Optometry

Patient R

Patient at Global Vision Rehabilitation Center

Patient M

Patient at Global Vision Rehabilitation Center

Vivian Caballero, BA

Global Vision Rehabilitation Center