Image caption: (from right to left) ICO President, Prof. Neeru Gupta
with WHO Unit Head of Sensory Functions, Disability and Rehabilitation,
Dr. Alarcos Cieza and ICO CEO, Dr. Ivo Kocur at the 75th World Health Assembly.

On May 24th, during the 75th World Health Assembly at the United Nations in Geneva, the ICO was invited to participate in a special event to launch the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Eye Care in Health Systems: Guide for Action. Developed with the support of the ICO, this marks a milestone in the history of eye care.

The Guide for Action is designed to support countries in integrating people-centred eye-care services into their national health programmes and includes the following set of tools:

The ICO is in Official Relation status with the WHO representing the world’s ophthalmologists and has been consulted throughout the development process of these tools. Building on the WHO’s World Report on Vision and the global commitments made last year to adopt two ambitious eye targets by 2030, these tools provide a blueprint for improving access to appropriate, affordable, and high-quality eye care for everyone.

The ICO continues our work with the WHO and we thank our ICO Member Societies and the eye health community for their tremendous and ongoing efforts to promote global eye care.