Invitation Letter from WCO President Dr. Scott Mundle
Dear International Colleagues,
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) is pleased to be partnering with the American Academy of Optometry to provide one of the most prestigious optometry meetings in the world. We look forward to bringing the world of optometry together to host international optometrists, optometric educators, researchers and optometry students from more than 50 countries. Attendees will enjoy five invigorating days of education, an extensive exhibit hall, the opportunity to learn more from our corporate partners about the latest products and technology, and many memorable social events.
The meeting is unique in that we offer CE in a variety of formats – over 250 hours of lectures, hands-on workshops, wide-ranging and clinically-relevant scientific paper and poster sessions, and unparalleled symposia. An additional benefit of this joint meeting is that we will be offering 5 full days of continuing education. In addition to the continuing education, the 3rd World Congress will offer two exciting half day forums, the President’s Forum and the Global Summit on Optometric Education, bringing together colleagues from all areas of our profession.
The Orange County Convention Center is located adjacent to Orlando’s tourist district with a variety of dining and entertainment options for the whole family. With over 100+ attractions across the city and seven of the world’s top theme parks, Orlando is unlike any other destination, full of unforgettable experiences waiting for you to explore. I invite you to join us for the 3rd World Congress of Optometry and Academy 2019 Orlando where you will leave feeling energized, reinvigorated, and inspired. I look forward to seeing you there!
Scott Mundle, OD
President of the World Council of Optometry
Invitation Letter from 3rd World Congress Chair Prof. Kovin Naidoo
Welcome to the 3rd World Congress of Optometry!
The past couple of years have seen the development of the World Congress of Optometry into a must attend gathering of the global optometry community. From Colombia to India the enthusiasm, participation and quality of the conference can justifiably make optometrists proud. The 3rd World Congress bears testimony to this by the competitive bidding to host the conference by different countries, but more importantly by the American Academy of Optometry offering to host the 3rd World Congress of Optometry in conjunction with their 2019 annual meeting. The Academy meeting is renowned for its commitment to research and clinical excellence. Its annual meeting is a quality education fest and one of the largest optometry gatherings in the world. The meeting has become increasingly attractive to optometrists around the world – and given the increased international flavor – Academy is a logical partner of the 3rd World Congress of Optometry.
I urge optometrists to attend this meeting in numbers and enjoy the joint offering of WCO and Academy with a breadth and scope of education that is hard to come by. Optometry today is facing multiple challenges:
- Increasing access to millions of people around the world.
- The growing epidemic of myopia that is impacting both the refractive error and ocular disease profile of populations around the world.
- The need for quality optometric education and the adaptation of educators to the technological as well as public health needs of our world.
- Expanded scope of practice and the need to support optometrists via quality clinical education.
All of the above will be addressed through the clinical, research, education and public health tracks that the Academy conference and 3rd World Congress of Optometry will be bringing to you. The optometric education gathering, the public health forum and the joint plenary will offer a high-profile focus on key areas with experts providing the latest updates. The meeting will ensure that optometrists receive COPE and other credits to meet annual continuing education requirements in some countries. The location of Orlando makes it attractive for us to bring our families along and make this a vacation as well.
I look forward to seeing you at the 3rd World Congress of Optometry. See you in Orlando.
Prof. Kovin Naidoo
Chair of the WCO 3rd World Congress of Optometry Committee