The World Council of Optometry (WCO) has confirmed plans to move its offices from London to the offices of The American Optometric Association (AOA) in St Louis, Missouri, this autumn.
The organisation, with a membership of 90 organisations representing more than 200,000 optometrists in 54 countries, said sharing space with AOA would be ‘mutually beneficial’.
David Cockrell, president of the AOA Board of Trustees, said: ‘This is a big win for our profession and the unity of our leading organisations. 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.’
The move will also include the fundraising arm of the WCO, the World Optometry Foundation (WOF). The WOF is a partner in the Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) programme, which sponsors World Sight Day.