Countdown begins for WCO5 and Optometry’s Meeting® 2025 with expanded education and collaboration
The countdown has begun for one of the most significant events in the optometry calendar: the 5th World Congress of Optometry (WCO5), scheduled to take place from June 25 to 28, 2025, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minnesota. Hosted by the World Council of Optometry (WCO) in collaboration with the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), this event promises to be a pivotal gathering for optometric professionals worldwide, focusing on education, collaboration, and networking to advance global eye health.
WCO5 will be held alongside Optometry’s Meeting®, a flagship annual event renowned for uniting optometrists, paraoptometric professionals, and optometry students. This year’s meeting has a particularly ambitious agenda, offering over 300 hours of continuing education and professional development through more than 200 courses, many of which are accredited for COPE and CPD points. Course highlights include cutting-edge topics such as retinal disease innovations, artificial intelligence applications in eye care, optic nerve imaging, and the role of optometry in global eye care delivery. The expansive educational programme underscores the commitment to advancing universal access to high-quality vision care and equipping practitioners with the latest scientific knowledge.
The event is proudly supported by major industry sponsors EssilorLuxottica and HOYA Vision Care, whose partnerships highlight the intersection of clinical excellence and innovative solutions in vision care. Olga Prenat, Head of Medical & Professional Affairs at EssilorLuxottica, emphasised the company’s dedication to evidence-based clinical practice and global patient outcomes, particularly through initiatives such as increasing presbyopia awareness. Similarly, Dr May Zhang, HOYA’s Global Head of Professional Affairs, highlighted their mission to address rising challenges like myopia through scientific collaboration and education.
Beyond the educational opportunities, WCO5 offers dynamic forums to foster professional development and leadership. A notable feature is the World Council of Optometry In-Person Poster Session, scheduled for June 26-27, where attendees can engage with the latest research and clinical experiences from WCO’s six geographic regions. The event also includes an Educators’ Forum and Accreditation Panel on June 27, designed to address how university programmes worldwide can adapt curricula in alignment with the WCO Competency Framework for Optometry. This forum will facilitate conversations around accreditation challenges and best practices in the absence of formal independent accreditation bodies, reflecting ongoing efforts to harmonise optometric education globally.
Networking will be a core component of the conference experience, with numerous chances for optometrists, students, and other eye health professionals to connect and collaborate. In addition to the core WCO5 events, Optometry’s Meeting® will feature special activities like the AOA Experience Opening Session, Paraoptometric Idea Exchange, AOSA Optometry Student Bowl™ XXXIV, the Celebration of Optometry, and the AOA Foundation 5K—all designed to create a vibrant community atmosphere that nurtures growth and solidarity in the profession.
Exhibitors and sponsors will have the opportunity to showcase products and services in the Eye Care Square exhibit hall, enhancing engagement with thousands of attendees. This integration of educational, networking, and commercial elements makes the combined event an unparalleled platform for shaping the future of optometry globally.
For those involved in regulatory and certification aspects of the profession, linked events in Minneapolis present additional engagement opportunities. The ARBO Annual Member Meeting will precede WCO5, focusing on regulatory discussions across North America and Australasia, while the American Board of Optometry will also be present during the conference, providing information on certification and professional advancement.
With such a comprehensive programme supported by leading organisations and sponsors, WCO5 alongside Optometry’s Meeting® 2025 stands out as a unique and essential event for the global optometric community. It promises to deliver invaluable learning, foster vital professional connections, and contribute significantly to the advancement of accessible, high-quality eye care worldwide.