WCO, Alcon continue partnership with updates to educational resources

News
Article

One of the resources provided by the partnership is a Dry Eye Wheel, which provides mitigation, measurement, and management processes to inform the treatment of dry eye disease.

Eye drops laying on notebook with "DRY EYES" written on the page Image Credit: AdobeStock/thanksforbuying

Image Credit: AdobeStock/thanksforbuying

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have renewed their 2-year partnership with an updated to the Dry Eye Wheel, a tool which helps educate practicing optometrists on dry eye disease (DED) diagnosis and practical management.1 The Dry Eye Wheel is available on a dedicated website that includes a series of dry eye webinars, according to a news release.

“Extending our partnership with Alcon supports the education of optometrists globally about practical measures to better address dry eye, a condition that, without proper diagnosis and treatment, can lead to ocular surface disease,” said WCO President Sandra Block, O.D., M. Ed., MPH, FAAO, FCOV, in the release. “This year, we are planning more collaboration with university educators to increase access to the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel and related educational resources for future generations of eye care professionals.”

The update to the educational tool includes new content on dietary supplements and in-office and complex treatments. The wheel identifies tools for mitigation, measurement, and management with simple, moderate, and complex treatment options.2 Webinars made available through the partnership are led by opinion leaders. Additionally, a collection of resources for clinical and educational settings, including peer review articles, diagnosis and management guidelines, and in-practice tools, are also available.1

“We are all becoming more aware of the growing incidence and impact of dry eye on our patients. Within the last year, we have seen publications further clarifying some of the issues contributing to this rise¾from digital device use to social and environmental factors,” said Carla Mack, OD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, head of Global and US Professional Education and Development for Alcon, in the release. “We are proud to extend our ongoing partnership with the World Council of Optometry, reinforcing our commitment to helping make dry eye more understandable for both eye care professionals and patients. The ultimate goal is to empower optometrists to engage in conversations about this multi-factorial condition and educate on management options for their patients experiencing dry eye symptoms.”

References:
  1. World Council of Optometry and Alcon extend global partnership for dry eye disease education. News release. World Council of Optometry. June 5, 2024. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://worldcouncilofoptometry.info/news-release-world-council-of-optometry-and-alcon-extend-global-partnership-for-dry-eye-disease-education/
  2. Dry Eye Wheel. World Council of Optometry. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/interactive-dry-eye-wheel/
Recent Videos
Dr Paul Karpecki discusses atropine formulation from Sydnexis following NDA acceptance by FDA
OptiLIFT in action: Dr. Julie McLaughlin's experience with the new device
Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO; Nate Lighthizer, OD, FAAO; Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, FSLS; Ben Casella, OD; and Ben Gaddie, OD, FAAO shared their insights from the conference.
The California Optometric Association and the Los Angeles County Optometric Society have compiled resources for optometrists to get involved in continuing relief efforts.
Agatha Sleboda, OD; Arti Shah, OD, FAAO; and Kent J. Nozacki, OD provide the best tips that they give to their patients during natural disasters events in light of the recent Greater Los Angeles wildfires.
Optometrists local to the Los Angeles area overview their efforts to continue providing support to patients affected by January's wildfires.
Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, FSLS, reviewed key takeaways from The Future of Myopia Management: Perspectives from Leading Experts talk from SECO 2025.
Dr. Nate Lighthizer shares key takeaways from the SECO Showcase on anterior segment technology and full laser certification course offered at SECO.
Dr. Julie Rodman discusses retina, imaging, and posterior segment in SECO presentations
Dr Ben Gaddie chats about his dry eye presentation at SECO and ocular surface disease.jpg
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.