Guidance to national associations: Preparation of the optical/optometric facility in the context of gradual lifts of the state of emergency and restrictive measures at national level
In light of a gradual return to practice, with lockdown measures being lifted partially or fully in many countries, this paper provides pointers to members who want to issue guidance or updated guidance for opticians and optometrists in their own countries (if not already in place), taking all national specificities and developments into account
ECOO’s newsletter March 2020
The latest issue of the ECOO newsletter is here! Find out more about ECOO guidance during COVID-19, get updates on the MDR, and EAOO and WCO activities. Access the issue here.
COVID-19: Guidance to national optical and optometric associations
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of COVID-19, a disease caused by a novel strain of coronavirus, a pandemic on 11 March 2020. ECOO is closely monitoring developments and acknowledges that responses to the pandemic vary between EU countries. The situation for optical and optometric professionals and their customers/patients therefore varies across Europe […]
How opticians and optometrists can help prevent falls in older patients
At least a third of people over the age of 65 years report falling at least once per year, with about half of these people reporting multiple falls. These guidelines provide recommendations for Optometrists and Opticians regarding how to best manage their older patients to minimise the risk of falls.
ECOO’s November 2019 newsletter is out!
ECOO’s November 2019 newsletter is here, featuring highlights from the General Assembly in Athens, as well as news from the World Council of Optometry and the European Academy of Optometry and Optics. Click here to get your copy!
WHO releases long-awaited World Report on Vision
On 8 October 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released its long-awaited World Report on Vision. It sets out the importance of healthy vision and highlights the burden of preventable sight loss around the world. The report also outlines guidance on how to expedite progress on tackling eye care challenges. In his foreword, WHO’s Director […]
ECOO Newsletter – June 2019
ECOO’s June 2019 Newsletter is here! This edition features highlights from the General Assembly in Rome, updates from Belgium, Slovenia, and Malta and an overview of the results of the 2019 European Parliament elections. Click here to read the June 2019 newsletter.
Digital imaging – an optometry perspective
Eye care professionals increasingly use new instruments that enable them to examine both the internal and external eye, like Digital Fundus Photography, Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Corneal Topography. In this context, there has been a debate among professionals about how digital imaging can be correctly used as part of the patient record. ECOO’s position […]
ECOO Manifesto for the 2019 European Parliament elections
Healthy eyes and good vision are paramount for independent and active living, at all ages. Yet, the role of vision on the wider policy agenda, from access to primary healthcare to road safety and healthy ageing, at both the national and the EU level, remains limited. Despite the growing awareness of the role of opticians […]
ECOO Newsletter – March 2019
ECOO’s March 2019 Newsletter is out! This issue includes an item on the educational Toolkit on Diabetic Eye Disease, updates from Switzerland, Lithuania and Spain, as well as an overview of the lateNewsletter March 2019st developments at the EU level. Click here to read the March 2019 edition!
Diabetic Eye Disease Toolkit
As part of the Retina Action Initiative, a “global initiative for a lifetime of vision”, ECOO has contributed to the development of an educational Toolkit on Diabetic Eye Disease (DED). The DED Toolkit (February 2019) is available here. ECOO ensured that a section on “The Role of the Optometrist in Diabetes and Diabetic Eye Disease Management” […]
ECOO Newsletter – November 2018
Welcome to the November 2018 edition of the ECOO newsletter! In this issue, we share some highlights from ECOO’s 2018 Autumn General Assembly in Malmö, World Sight Day 2018, an update on the latest developments at EU level, as well as on the latest developments in Bulgaria and Spain. Click here to read the November 2018 edition!
ECOO General Assembly inaugurates new president and elects new Executive Committee members
During the 2018 Autumn General Assembly, which took place from 20-21 October 2018 in Malmö, Sweden, the members of the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) inaugurated Cindy Tromans as the new ECOO President. Cindy Tromans (United Kingdom), who is an optometrist from a family of optics manufacturers is succeeding Peter Gumpelmayer (Austria). During […]
World Sight Day 2018
To celebrate World Sight Day 2018 and to promote better vision in Europe, ECOO co-organised an event with MedTech Europe and the European Coalition for Vision on 11 October 2018. To mark the occasion, ECOO and the ECV produced a World Sight Day Leaflet with key facts on eye health and preventable sight loss. Click here to get your […]
Infographic: ECOO guidance documents on good online practice
To ensure businesses can benefit from the opportunities of the digital age, and to ensure that patients and consumers are empowered to use services and buy products safely, ECOO launched guidance documents on good online practice: one for online providers and one for consumers and patients. This Infographic on the ECOO guidance documents outlines the […]
ECOO Newsletter – June 2018
Welcome to the June 2018 edition of the ECOO newsletter! In this issue, we give an update on the latest developments at EU level, as well as on the latest developments in Italy, Norway and Sweden. Click here to read the new issue!
ECOO guidance documents on good online practices for professionals and consumers and patients
In the wake of the growing online presence of optical and optometric services and the advancing European Digital Single Market, ECOO developed guidance documents to establish common principles and reduce uncertainties around professional practice and consumer and patient safety in the online world. Over recent years, the optical and optometric industry has seen a significant […]
Invitation to Apply for Membership of the European Qualification in Optics Visitor Panel (deadline 31 May 2018)
The European Council of Optometry and Optics is seeking to appoint Visitors to the Accreditation Panel for the European Qualification in Optics, which has recently been developed.
ECOO Article – April 2018
ECOO’s latest article, “Europe’s optometrists and opticians in an increasingly digital landscape”, highlights that the expertise of eye care professionals remains crucial in ensuring patient eye health, exciting new technologies and ubiquitous connectedness notwithstanding. The full article can be accessed here.
ECOO Newsletter – March 2018
Welcome to the March edition of the ECOO newsletter! In this issue, we give an update on the latest developments at EU level, as well as at the national level in Ireland and Croatia. Click here to read the new issue!
ECOO Article – December 2017
The latest ECOO article, “Vision for Healthy Ageing”, explains how demographic changes impact the work of Europe’s optometrists and opticians.
ECOO Newsletter – November 2017
Welcome to the November edition of the ECOO newsletter! The latest ECOO newsletter can be accessed here.
ECOO Infographic – Optometry and Optics in Europe
This infographic on “Optometry and Optics in Europe” highlights some of the key figures presented in the ECOO Blue Book 2017.
Position paper: Proposed Proportionality Test Directive
Proposed Proportionality Test Directive should respect national sovereignty and ensure consistency in healthcare exemptions.
ECOO Newsletter – July 2017
Welcome to the July edition of the ECOO newsletter! The latest ECOO newsletter can be accessed here.
ECOO’s Blue Book 2017
ECOO is delighted to announce the publication of its third edition of the Blue Book, a valuable aggregation of data on the professions of optometry and optics in countries across Europe.
It is the only publicly available compilation of data that offers a comparative and comprehensive view on these two professional groups across 30 countries. Information is gathered through surveys filled in by ECOO members and partners.
ECOO Newsletter – March 2017
Welcome to the March edition of the ECOO newsletter! Click here to access the document.
Visual standards for driving in Europe
A new report prepared by ECOO looks into visual standards for driving in Europe and highlights the implications for eye health and road safety.
Call for visitors panel now open: deadline 03 March 2017
The European Council of Optometry and Optics is seeking to appoint Visitors to the Accreditation Panel. Visitors will be responsible for evaluating the self-assessment document, the syllabus, the programme specification, examinations and assessments, for visiting training institutions, observing teaching, inspecting facilities and discussion with students, staff and institutional managers. Click for more information.
OCULUS: harmonizing optometric education
The majority of blindness and vision impairment can be avoided by good eye and vision care and in many regions optometrists are the primary providers of this service. Where does OCULUS fit it?
A lack of vision? (position paper)
Three key areas are believed to be fundamental to addressing preventable irreversible sight loss in Europe: research and development, early case finding and diagnosis, and access to treatment and services.
How is Europe faring on these topics, and what more needs to be done?
ECOO Newsletter Volume 11 / Issue 3 / November 2016
We are pleased to bring you the latest edition of the ECOO Newsletter! In this issue, we look at what is on the EU agenda in terms of upcoming relevant legislation, and we also share an overview of a recent event organized in the European Parliament on preventable blindness and vision impairment. We also hear from our colleagues at the EAOO and the WCO. Finally, “Brexit means Brexit”, but what might the consequences be for optometry and optics?
Event: Preventing sight loss in an ageing population
On 15 November, a panel of experts from across the eye health field will discuss how sight loss can be prevented through early detection of eye diseases and adequate treatment. A position paper highlighting the need to enhance screening, promote research and increase access to specialists will be presented at the event.
ECOO Diploma – Video
The European Diploma in Optometry was developed to ensure a uniformly high standard of education and practice across the EU, with a view to support the free movement of optometrists in Europe. Interested universities and schools can benchmark their programme against the Diploma, with a number of institutions having successfully gained full accreditation.
In this video, we hear about the objectives of the European Diploma, the value it brings to students and universities across Europe, and future ambitions.
ECOO President – Video
We hear from Peter Gumpelmayer and Paul Folkesson on their thoughts on ECOO, how the profession is moving forward, and where the main challenges and opportunities lie in the next couple of years.
#EyeHealthEU: raising awareness about preventable sight loss on World Sight Day
This 13th October marks World Sight Day, which galvanizes the eye health community to draw attention on a global level about blindness and vision impairment.
Your Eyes – Better Sight Manual
People often value their eyesight as the most important of the senses. Yet every year many people suffer loss of vision that could have been prevented or treated.
ECOO Newsletter Volume 11 / Issue 1 / March 2016
Regulatory updates from Brussels – Facts, fiction and myopic myths – Latest program from Berlin 2016 – Update from the World Council of Optometry – The loyalty factor in contact lenses – ECOO Autumn meeting in Ljubljana
ECOO Newsletter Volume 10 / Issue 3 / December 2015
ECOO Newsletter Volume 10/ Issue 3/December 2015 (pdf) Inside this Newsletter: Message from the President Update from the ECOO GA in Brussels Country News – optics and optometry in Spain Update from the Academy – Berlin 2016: register for more information European Diploma in Optometry graduations – Windisch, Switzerland Update from the World Council of Optometry […]
ECOO Blue Book
The ECOO Blue Book is a valuable aggregation of information relating to the professions of Optometry and Optics in countries across Europe.
Ready Readers (Position Paper)
Introduction Ready readers or “ready-made reading spectacles” are spectacles that have 2 single vision lenses each of which have the same positive spherical power not exceeding 4 dioptres and the purpose of which is to relieve the condition known as presbyopia. Presbyopia is the term used to describe the requirement for help with near vision […]
IMPORTANT: Applications are open for the position of Chairman of the Accreditation Panel of the European Diploma in Optometry
European Diploma IMPORTANT: Applications are open for the position of Chairman of the Accreditation Panel of the European Diploma in Optometry Due the retirement of Dr Adrian Jennings as Chairman of the Accreditation Panel for the European Diploma, ECOO is seeking to appoint a new Chairman to take office in September 2015. Please refer to this document for […]
ECOO Newsletter Volume 10 / Issue 2 / June 2015
ECOO Newsletter Volume 10/ Issue 2/June 2015 (pdf) Inside this Newsletter: Message from the President Update from the ECOO GA in Budapest Regulatory Updates Ongoing actions on Medical Devices Country News Optics and optometry in Cyprus Update from the Academy European Academy welcomes new President Seventh annual Academy conference in Budapest attracts record number of delegates […]
Akademische Grade in der Optometrie, by Wolfgang Cagnolati, DSc, MSc, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Link to article (PDF)
ECOO publishes Blue Book 2015
PRESS RELEASE: ECOO publishes Blue Book 2015 (pdf) Download the Blue Book 2015 here ECOO is pleased to announce the publication of its Blue Book 2015. The Blue Book is a valuable aggregation of information relating to the professions of Optometry and Optics in countries across Europe. Information is gathered through surveys from optometric and optical associations in […]
ECOO Newsletter Volume 10 / Issue 1 / March 2015
ECOO Newsletter Volume 10/ Issue 1/March 2015 (pdf) Inside this Newsletter: Message from the President Regulatory Updates Ongoing actions on Fluorescein and the Mutual Evaluation of Professions Country News Optics and optometry in Switzerland Update from the Academy Budapest 2015 – book your hotel and CooperVision/Sauflon tour Calling all educators Technical update OCT, case finding & […]
ECOO meets with French ministry of finance in support of optometry in France
On 10 December 2014, ECOO Secretary General Fabienne Eckert joined Jean-François Marinacce, from the Union des Opticiens (UDO), member of ECOO, in a visit to the French ministry of finance. An interesting exchange of view took place with a councillor of the Cabinet of Mr Macron, Minister of Finance on the future of optometry in […]
ECOO Newsletter Volume 9 / Issue 3 / December 2014
ECOO Newsletter Volume 9/ Issue 3/December 2014 (pdf) Inside this Newsletter: Message from the President Update from the ECOO GA in Limassol Regulatory Updates Mutual evaluation of professions – update from the November meeting Country News Ireland – New Legislation Update from the Academy Update from the World Council of Optometry Congratulations to Tone Garaas-Maurdalen World […]
ECV Press release in response to the ‘Health at a Glance Europe 2014’ Report
PRESS RELEASE: ECV Press release in response to the ‘Health at a Glance Europe 2014’ Report (PDF) European Coalition for Vision (ECV) regrets the lack of data on vision impairment in Europe and calls for more harmonized data collected at EU level to provide better policy advice to decision-makers. Vision is a vital part of the […]
ECV Press release on occasion of World Sight Day
PRESS RELEASE: ECV Press release on occasion of World Sight Day (PDF) On the occasion of World Sight Day, the European Coalition for Vision (ECV) set an ambitious objective to leverage vision and eye health at European level. World Sight Day is a global event that focuses on bringing attention on blindness and vision impairment. It […]
Over 123 million lost workdays per year caused by blindness or eye diseases according to new pan-European health economic study
PRESS RELEASE: Over 123 million lost workdays per year caused by blindness or eye diseases according to new pan-European health economic study Eleven country EU study shows that proactive intervention to prevent and treat eye disease would lead to a healthier and more productive population An improved quality of life can be gained by investing […]
The Orthokeratology Procedure (Position Paper)
Introduction Orthokeratology is fitting custom designed, high oxygen-permeable contact lenses to reshape the cornea in a controlled manner to correct ametropia. Depending on the extent of the ametropia, and the time that Orthokeratology lenses are worn, good visual acuity can be achieved during all waking hours without the need for spectacles or contact lenses. Orthokeratology […]
ECOO Newsletter Volume 9 / Issue 2 / June 2014
ECOO Newsletter Volume 9/ Issue 2/June 2014 (pdf) Inside this Newsletter: Message from the President Update from the ECOO GA in Warsaw Regulatory Updates Fluorescein to be discussed further in November Mutual evaluation of professions – Optics is peer reviewed in the Member States Country News Austria: The Optical-Optometric Progress in Austria Croatia: 2nd Optometry Conference […]
European Coalition for Vision (ECV): Time to put an end to the neglect experienced by eye health in Europe
PRESS RELEASE: European Coalition for Vision (ECV): Time to put an end to the neglect experienced by eye health in Europe (PDF) 1st April 2014, Luxembourg – The European Coalition for Vision (ECV) (1) met today with the European Union (EU)’s Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO) and EUROSTAT, the statistical office of the […]
German DQS grants CE mark to FluoGP fluorescein strip
PRESS RELEASE: German DQS grants CE mark to FluoGP fluorescein strip (PDF) 28th March, Brussels – The German notified body DQS announced it will grant the CE mark to the FluoGP fluorescein ophthalmic strip. The German competent authority DQS decided it would grant the CE mark to the small molecular weight fluorescein strip FluoGP, to be […]
ECOO Newsletter Volume 9 / Issue 1 / March 2014
ECOO Newsletter Volume 9/ Issue 1/ March 2014 (pdf) Inside this Newsletter: Message from the President Regulatory Updates Fluorescein – the discussion continues Medical devices legislation – moving slowly ECOO attends high-level conference on RPQ Tackle preventable blindness – the work of EFAB in 2014 Launch of the European Coalition for Vision (ECV) & the ECV […]
ECOO replies to Public Consultation on Patient Safety and Quality of Care
On 27th February 2014, ECOO submitted its replies to the Public Consultation that has been carried out by the European Commission on the topic of “Patient Safety and Quality of Care”. As outlined by the Commission, the consultation aimed to seek the opinion of civil society on: Whether patient safety measures included in the Recommendation […]
The European Coalition for Vision calls on MEPs to support better vision and eye health across Europe, and uphold the rights of visually impaired people
4th February, Strasburg – The European Coalition for Vision (ECV) (1) and the Coalition’s manifesto for the European Parliament elections (2) were launched today at the European Parliament seat in Strasbourg. The manifesto, presented in an event hosted by the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Marian Harkin (ALDE, IE), calls on the European Parliament […]
ECOO Public Affairs and Economic Committee Secretary to move to Australia
PRESS RELEASE: ECOO Public Affairs and Economic Committee Secretary to move to Australia (PDF) After four years working at the top of UK, Irish and European eye health and optical policy, Mark Nevin is moving to Melbourne Australia in the spring to pursue new career ambitions. Mark has been involved on numerous ECOO projects over […]
European Coalition for Vision – Statement on Damaging Effects of Smoking on Eye Health
Statement on Damaging Effects of Smoking on Eye Health (pdf) European Coalition for Vision (ECV) Better Eye Health for Europe Statement on Damaging Effects of Smoking on Eye Health 11 December 2013 We have concerns about the possibility of a link between nicotine and blindness and urge caution in the regulation of electronic cigarettes. Cigarette smoking […]
ECOO Newsletter Volume 8 / Issue 3 / November 2013
ECOO Newsletter Volume 8/ Issue 3/ November 2013 (pdf) Inside this Newsletter: Message from the President Autumn meeting in Sofia The ECOO General Assembly in Sofia in pictures The challenge of the Internet Role for Primary Eye Care Emphasised at Europe-wide Forum on Men’s Health European Forum Against Blindness – World Sight Day 2013 Regulatory Updates […]
Role for Primary Eye Care Emphasised at Europe-wide Forum on Men’s Health
PRESS RELEASE – Role for Primary Eye Care Emphasised at Europe-wide Forum on Men’s Health (pdf) Download the European Men’s Health Forum report on men’s access to primary care services across Europe ECOO representative Mark Nevin features in a European Men’s Health Forum report on men’s access to primary care services across Europe. The report, published […]
New Pan-European health economic study shows that eye diseases alone lead to a total cost to society of 20 billion Euro
PRESS RELEASE – New Pan-European health economic study shows that eye diseases alone lead to a total cost to society of 20 billion Euro (pdf) Blindness leads to a significant economic burden on society, estimated to result in economic costs of over 7 billion Euro Investing in screening programs, earlier diagnoses and adequate treatment of retinal […]
ECOO publishes professional Guidelines for optometric and optical services in Europe
PRESS RELEASE – ECOO publishes professional Guidelines for optometric and optical services in Europe (pdf) The European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) has developed Guidelines for optometric and optical services in Europe to establish consistent guidance on the quality of service provision that the public should expect when accessing eye care services. European legislation increasingly […]
ECOO elects new Secretary General (Press Release)
PRESS RELEASE – ECOO elects new Secretary General (pdf) Following the departure of Dr Ulrich Adam, the former Secretary General of the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO), Ms Fabienne Eckert has been elected as his successor during the General Assembly on 20 April 2013 in Malaga, Spain. Ms Fabienne Eckert has been serving […]
ECOO Newsletter Volume 8 / Issue 1 / March 2013
ECOO Newsletter Volume 8/ Issue 1 / March 2013 (pdf) Inside this Newsletter Message from the President Regulatory Updates Fluorescein discussed by EU Expert Group in February ECHA published report on Cadmium in Spectacle Frames Cross-border medical prescriptions European Forum Against Blindness continues its activities in 2013 Driving with low vision to be presented at 23rd […]
ECOO calls for applications to join Accreditation Panel of the European Diploma in Optometry (Press Release)
PRESS RELEASE – ECOO calls for applications to join Accreditation Panel of the European Diploma in Optometry (Press Release) (pdf) Please note that the deadline for submitting applications has been extended to 29 March 2013. Full details on the position and the application form The European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) is seeking applications for […]
’Best practice‘ for the selling of Contact Lenses and Lens Care Products
The importance of new distribution channels (namely the Internet) for contact lenses (CLs) and lens care products (LCPs) increases continuously. The ECLF provides this ‘Best Practice’ document as guidance for all those engaged in the selling of contact lenses. Following and / or implementing these practices will result in good client services being provided to […]
ECLF Guidelines for consumers “Contact Lenses, The Internet and You”
For millions of people, wearing Contact Lenses (CLs) supplied via the Internet is an easy and convenient way to cater for their vision correction needs. You may already be one of them. Alternatively, you may be someone who is considering trying CLs for the first time – or maybe you wore Contact Lenses for a while […]
Cadmium standards in spectacle frames remain unchanged (Press Release)
PRESS RELEASE – Cadmium standards in spectacle frames remain unchanged (pdf) In 2012 the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a consultation on the use of cadmium in metal spectacle frames that do not fall within the scope of the REACH provisions. ECOO was invited to submit a response to contribute to this investigation. In its response, […]
ECOO Secretary General announces resignation by 31 January 2013 (Press Release)
PRESS RELEASE – ECOO Secretary General announces resignation by 31 January 2013 (pdf) Current ECOO Secretariat will remain fully operational until the presentation of a successor ECOO Secretary General Dr. Ulrich Adam has announced his intention to resign from his current position by 31 January 2013. The resignation follows the decision of Dr. Adam to leave […]
The Wasem study: consequences for optometry in Germany (article in German)
Die Wasem Studie: Konsequenzen für die deutsche Optometrie Wolfgang Cagnolati DSc* *Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Immediate Past President ECOO Die deutsche Optometrie befindet sich seit einigen Jahren im Umbruch; eine stärkere Akademisierung der berufsständischen Ausbildungsgänge, die Diskussion über den Bereich „Neu- und Höherpositionierung“ aber auch gesundheitsökonomische Studien, wie die sogenannte „Wasem Studie“, werden verstärkt innerhalb […]
The Union des Opticiens (UDO) reaffirms its position in favour of the “optician-optometrist” in France.
L’Union Des Opticiens réaffirme ses positions en faveur de l’opticien-optométriste.
A.P.L.O. and Special Olympics Portugal Fundraising (Press Release)
Press release: Press Release APLO and Special Olympics(PDF) To celebrate the world day of vision, 11th October 2012, the Association of Portuguese Optometrists (APLO) and Special Olympics Portugal jointly organized a fundraising action until the end of October, in order to give vision and visibility to those with intellectual disability. This action pretends to create […]
ECOO meets the European Commission on cross border prescriptions
As a follow-up to ECOO, EUROM I and EUROMCONTACT‘s response to the public consultation on ‘measures for improving the recognition of prescriptions issued in another Member State’, ECOO met with the European Commission in June 2012. The meeting has been very insightful and clarified that the draft legislation, which will be published after the summer, will be sufficiently flexible to provide for optics’ requirements.
ECOO joins the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)
In June 2012, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) has formally accepted ECOO’s application to join as a member. EPHA is a Brussels based NGO that advocates for better health throughout Europe and is made up of public health organizations, patient groups, health professionals, associations and disease specific groups. ECOO is very pleased about this new partnership as it will foster closer cooperation and the exchange of information with other professions.
UDO and ECOO present comparative health economic study to the French Assemblée Nationale
On 18 January 2012, ECOO and its French member Union des Opticiens (UDO) presented the “Comparative Analysis of Delivery of Primary Eye Care in Three European Countries” by Professor Wasem to deputies and senators in the Assemblée Nationale in Paris. The comparison between the primary eye care systems in Germany, the UK and France has been presented. […]
Launch of the “Comparative Analysis of Delivery of Primary Eye Care in Three European Countries” in Berlin
On 22 November 2011, ECOO and the ZVA (Zentralverband der Augenoptiker) under the patronage of Mr. Erwin Rüddel, Member of the German Parliament (Bundestag) hosted the launch event of the “Comparative Analysis of Delivery of Primary Eye Care in Three European Countries” in Berlin. The press release in German is available here.