GOPHA Launches with Call to Put Optometry at the Heart of Public Health

The Global Optometry Public Health Alliance (GOPHA) hosted a Public Health Forum in partnership with India Vision Institute, bringing optometry and public health stakeholders together to strengthen access to essential eye care for underserved communities.

Aligned with WHO SPECS 2030, the forum focused on elevating optometry’s role in prevention, early detection, timely referral and stronger linkages with broader public health systems.

The Forum marked the launch of GOPHA as an international collaboration to connect Optometry with public health to advance universal eye care.

Titled ‘Synergizing Global Efforts: The Vital Role of Optometry in Achieving WHO SPECS 2030 Targets,’ the Forum reflects a growing recognition that eye health can no longer sit on the margins of health systems. The Forum had over 900 delegates from 69 countries attending.

The Forum opened with an introduction of GOPHA by Interim President Prof Kovin Naidoo. The President of the World Council of Optometry, Dr Cindy Tromans, and Dr Stuart Keel (WHO SPECS 2030 - Technical Officer, Blindness Prevention, WHO), spoke at the Forum.

Vinod Daniel, CEO, India Vision Institute, said, “IVI is pleased to support this forum, in partnership with GOPHA. It underscores the vital role optometrists play in delivering primary eye care and translating global commitments into scalable, community-level action.”

Kovin Naidoo said, “Optometry has a critical role to play in contributing to universal eye care and advancing WHO’s SPECS 2030 goals. The launch of GOPHA will advance the capacity of optometrists to contribute to the scaling up of eye health services to the most needy in our world.”