Dr Cindy Tromans from the United Kingdom has been installed as President of the World Council of Optometry (WCO), marking the conclusion of her term as President-Elect, a position to which she was elected in July 2023.
In sharing her vision for the future with the General Assembly at the 5th World Congress of Optometry, Dr Tromans emphasised the importance of ensuring that optometry’s voice is both heard and acted upon. “WCO is the global voice of optometry. And we don’t just say that – we need to act it,” she said. “We need to ensure that the potential of optometry is understood to provide sustainable, affordable, and equitable eye care.”
We need to ensure that the potential of optometry is understood to provide sustainable, affordable, and equitable eye care
Dr Rajeev Prasad from India was elected WCO President-Elect for the 2025-2027 term, signalling the next chapter of leadership for the organisation.
“I am committed to work alongside each one of you to strengthen our shared vision for optometry globally,” Dr Prasad stated to the General Assembly attendees, “Together, I’m sure that we will advance eye health, foster collaboration, and create a lasting global impact. I’m really looking forward to working alongside you all in this journey.”
Dr Prasad has served on the WCO Board of Directors since 2021. Following WCO’s 2022 governance change, resulting in a reduced and restructured Board, he was elected as the Asia Pacific Geographic Representative for the 2023-2025 term under the organisation’s new leadership structure. Currently, Dr Prasad is also Secretary General of the Indian Optometry Association (IOA), President of Asia Pacific Council of Optometry (APCO), and serves on WCO’s Public Health Committee.
Departing the WCO Presidents Group and Board of Directors were Australia’s Professor Peter Hendicott (WCO President 2021-2023) and Dr Sandra Block from the United States, who was WCO President from 2023-2025. Dr Block will continue to serve on the WCO Board of Directors for the next two years as the Immediate Past President.
