Dry Eye Partnership Celebrates 5 Years

Optometric Management spoke with Alcon and the World Council of Optometry (WCO) on the 5-year partnership that is still going strong between the companies, dry eye and patient quality of life, and initiatives in developing resources.

By
Sarah Fackler, managing editor, Optometric Management
March 2, 2026
5 min

Optometric Management

Objective:

To highlight the ongoing partnership between the World Council of Optometry and Alcon in advancing optometric education related to dry eye disease.

Approach:

Key Findings:

DED affects an estimated 1.6 billion people worldwide.
The Dry Eye Wheel is an interactive tool available in multiple languages to aid clinicians in developing personalized care plans.
Educational resources include webinars, infographics, and guidance on the 3 Ms of DED: mitigation, management, and measurement.

Interpretation:

The partnership has successfully created a framework for optometrists to enhance their understanding and treatment of dry eye disease, addressing a previously overlooked condition.

Limitations:

Access to advanced diagnostic tools may vary among optometrists.
The effectiveness of educational resources may depend on clinician engagement and implementation.

Conclusion:

The collaboration between the World Council of Optometry and Alcon has significantly contributed to the education and resources available for managing dry eye disease, with plans for further development of tools and resources.