CBM signs MoU with International Council of Ophthalmology

Background

To assure quality eye health for local communities around the world, greater access to ophthalmic education along with introduction of international standards and benchmarks is needed. In addition to developing personnel, ophthalmologists and leaders in eye health also need to be enabled to meet the needs of local communities by providing quality, cost-efficient and accessible services. 

Priorities for collaboration

CBM and the ICO will be working on the following priorities:

• Definition of Benchmarked programs on Eye Health (first beginning with defining International Guidelines for Glaucoma)
• A Joint Fellowship Programme : Facilitation of education opportunities for Ophthalmologists through ICO’s 3 month fellowships
• Training of Trainers of Eye care teams
• Support for CBM ophthalmologists who will later serve as educators and service delivery experts in regional training centres of CBM partner institutions

CBM and ICO

Since 2013 the ICO has collaborated with the Eastern Mediterranean Region Regional Office of CBM on various projects:

• A Joint Fellowship Programme, training of ophthalmologists from developing countries in the EMR region
• Workshops on Training the Trainers
• Incorporating inclusion of persons with disabilities into the ICO residency curriculum
• Development of a benchmarked regional program in diabetic eye care

The ICO

With roots in the first International Congress of Ophthalmology in 1857 in Brussels, the ICO is dedicated to working with ophthalmologic societies and others to enhance ophthalmic education and improve access to the highest quality eye care in order to preserve, restore and enhance vision for the people of the world. In addition to the World Ophthalmology Congress, the ICO’s best-known programs are exams around the world each year for ophthalmologists to demonstrate their knowledge and fellowships for ophthalmologists from developing countries.