The Global Optometry Public Health Alliance (GOPHA) launched a public health forum on Monday (January 19, 2026) in partnership with India Vision Institute (IVI). The forum brought together optometry and public health stakeholders to strengthen access to essential eye care for underserved communities.
Aligned with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SPECS 2030 framework, the forum focused on positioning optometry more centrally within public health systems, with emphasis on prevention, early detection, timely referral, and stronger integration with primary healthcare services.
Titled ‘Synergizing Global Efforts: The Vital Role of Optometry in Achieving WHO SPECS 2030 Targets’, the forum underscored the growing recognition that eye health must be embedded within broader health systems rather than treated as a standalone concern. More than 900 delegates from 69 countries participated in the discussions.
Introducing GOPHA, interim president Kovin Naidoo highlighted the profession’s potential to contribute meaningfully to global eye health goals. The forum also featured addresses by Cindy Tromans, president of the World Council of Optometry, and Stuart Keel, technical officer for Blindness Prevention under WHO SPECS 2030.
Vinod Daniel, chief executive officer of India Vision Institute, said the initiative reaffirmed the critical role of optometrists in delivering primary eye care and translating global commitments into community-level action.
