ECOO promotes the importance of vision and good eye health to policy makers and the public and represents the interest of optometrists and opticians at the European level.
Our work is focused around a number of priority issues on which we monitor regulatory any legislative proposals, where relevant share information with members, provide input to emerging policy proposals, and lobby regulators when change is needed.
Healthy ageing
Good vision is an important part of healthy ageing – allowing people to stay active and engaged with friends and family. We work in partnership with colleagues in the IAPB, the Global Coalition on Aging and the European Coalition on Vision to put the importance of good vision at the heart of policy making.
- ECOO, GCOA and IAPB call for eye health to be included in the European Care Strategy
- ECOO, GCOA and IAPB call on European Commission to include vision in its ageing initiatives and policies
- How opticians and optometrists can help prevent falls in older patients
Driving and vision
Safe driving is only possible with good vision. We are working to achieve adequate and consistent visual standards for driving across Europe.
- Visual standards for driving in Europe
- Report on Driver Vision Screening in Europe
- Driving and Vision (Position Paper)
Medical Devices Regulation
Spectacle frames, ophthalmic lenses and contact lenses are all medical devices. We engage with regulators to ensure the needs of eye care providers and their patients are at the heart of regulations.
Sustainability
We support members to consider what they can do as associations and as professionals in general, in their practice and daily live to help address this global challenge.
- Sustainable practice: the role of eye care professionals
- Responsible recycling of waste by optical and optometric professionals and their patients/customers
Digital and e-health
Understanding the growing role of technology and e-health in eye care is an important strand of ECOO’s work. We aim to look forward to see what is on the horizon for eye care and eye care professionals, understand the implications of these new technologies and provide members with information that will help them and the sector prepare for and operate effectively in this ever changing environment.
- Better vision and eye health in Europe through digital development (position paper)
- Digital imaging: an optometry perspective (position paper)
Please see our resources section to find all of our position and policy papers.
Our Newsletter provides regular updates on all of our work.