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The World Council of Optometry (WCO) is an international optometric organization representing 200,000 optometrists from 73 member organizations in 43 countries. The WCO serves as a forum for member organizations to respond to public health needs and opportunities around the world. Our mission is to facilitate the enhancement and development of eye and vision care worldwide.
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The WCO defines the concept of optometry as follows:
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Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated and regulated (licensed/registered), and optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.
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Our members represent six world regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North America. Our organizational principle is “membership by countries, governance by regions.” The WCO is a unifying voice and catalyst for international projects and services that meet the needs of the public and optometric profession.
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