The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, a practical tool that helps with the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease, is now available in French. Created by Professors Jennifer Craig, Lyndon Jones, and James Wolffsohn, the wheel is an easy-to-use, interactive mechanism that brings together the three pillars of dry eye mitigation, measurement, and management.
It is now accessible to the French-speaking optometry community at no cost via the WCO website at https://dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/interactive-dry-eye-wheel/. Translation was provided in collaboration with Association des Optométristes de France (AOF).
This launch supports World Optometry Week (March 17 – 23) and this year’s theme of “Eyes to the Future: Optometry Improving Global Wellness.”
WCO and Alcon developed the joint education initiative to raise optometrists’ understanding of dry eye and provide resources on practical management. Dry eye disease is a chronic, painful condition impacting about 1.4 billion people worldwide.1 Increased reports of dry eye align with notable factors such as increasing use of technology, environmental triggers, and an aging population.2
As noted in the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society Dry Eye Workshop Epidemiology Report II (TFOS DEWS II), one study in France reported a relatively high prevalence of symptomatic dry eye at 39.2%, indicating a higher prevalence of dry eye compared to many other regions studied.3 A study also cited in the TFOS DEWS II shows that one in four Canadians reportedly suffer from symptoms of dry eye.4 A meta-analysis conducted in 2020 shows the prevalence of dry eye disease in Africa, another part of the world with multiple French speaking countries, to be as high as 42%.5
“As one of the top five most widely spoken languages in the world including in Quebec, France, and several countries in Africa, we’re proud to now offer this free and easily accessible tool in French to eye care practitioners,” said Dr. Sandra S. Block, O.D., M.Ed., MPH, FAAO, FCOVD, president of the World Council of Optometry. “Dry eye disease is a global epidemic that impacts people of all ages and backgrounds. WCO extends a special thanks to Alcon for its ongoing support of this initiative as we continue our mission of educating the optometry community about this disease.”
The tool is also available in English and Spanish.
To use the Dry Eye Wheel in French and discover other dry eye disease resources on the WCO website, visit: https://dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/interactive-dry-eye-wheel/
About the World Council of Optometry
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) is an international membership-based non-profit organization for individual optometrists, industry professionals and optometric organizations that envisions a world where optometry makes high quality eye health and vision care accessible to all people. Its mission is to facilitate the development of optometry around the world and support optometrists in promoting eye health and vision care as a human right through advocacy, education, policy development and humanitarian outreach. To learn more, please visit www.worldcouncilofoptometry.info or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Alcon
Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.
Media Contact
Wendy Boyce, McDougall Communications for the World Council of Optometry
wendy@mcdougallpr.com or +1-585-752-5805
Steven Smith, Head of Global External Communications, Alcon
Steven_p.smith@alcon.com or +1-817-615-2789