The World Council of Optometry (WCO) announced that the 4th World Congress of Optometry (WCO4) planned for Melbourne, Australia in 2021, will now take place from 8-10 September 2023, while O=Mega21 will proceed as scheduled for the region.  

“After considering the impact of the pandemic on optometrists, travel restrictions and the possible challenges of our members to attend WCO4 in 2021, we decided that it was in the best interest of our members to postpone WCO4 until 2023. The ability for members to attend was at the heart of our decision,” said WCO president Paul Folkesson. 

WCO4 was scheduled to be held alongside O=Mega21, the largest eyecare and eyewear trade show and conference in the Southern Hemisphere, scheduled for 2-4 September 2021. The WCO’s strong partnership with O=Mega organisers, Optometry Victoria South Australia and the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association of Australia (ODMA) will remain in place for the 2023 congress, said Folkesson.