Nov. 20, 2023 — The World Council of Optometry (WCO) has announced the launch of the WCO Pediatric Resource, a resource that includes clinical information and assessment tools designed to assist optometrists in delivering accessible, quality eye care to children across the globe.
 
The announcement comes on Nov. 20, World Children’s Day, UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, as WCO states the right to accessible eye care is essential when considering children’s rights and welfare worldwide.
 
“The World Council of Optometry supports efforts to ensure that vision development is considered as part of a child’s overall growth and development,” says WCO president Sandra S. Block, O.D., Med, MPH, FAAO, FCOVD, FNAP. “The experts who volunteer for our organization have worked hard to put together this excellent resource for optometrists to help each of you better assess, diagnose, and treat vision and eye health problems in the children you serve.”
 
WCO public health committee chair Priya Morjaria explains that the resource, complementary to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness’s School Eye Health Guidelines, is for anyone who wants to know more about the guidelines and equipment available for children. Morjaria also shares that the resource will evolve over time and feedback is encouraged by emailing enquiries@worldoptometry.org.