For the Media
May 2016
12 May 2016: IAPB and ICO Endorse Global Ban on Consumer Fireworks
The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) endorses a global ban on consumer fireworks.
Also endorsed by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) board and the International Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Council, the ICO position paper encourages ophthalmologists and National Societies of Ophthalmology to advocate for a ban on consumer fireworks by their national governments, as a strategy to prevent unnecessary blindness and visual impairment from firework-related injuries.
Eye injuries related to the consumer use of fireworks is a global problem. Even strict regulations on the purchase and use of fireworks do not prevent the high incidence of related eye injuries and the resulting visual impairment and blindness in some patients. As many as half of those affected are children, and one third of eye injuries result in permanent blindness.
Download the Position Paper: icoph.org/ICO-Endorses-Global-Ban-of-Consumer-Fireworks.html
February 2016
12 February 2016: ICO Welcomes New ICO Officers and Board Members and Recognizes Outgoing Members
The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) welcomes incoming ICO Officers and ICO Board members, and recognizes ICO Officers and Board members whose terms ended in early 2016. The new positions took effect at the close of the World Ophthalmology Congress® (WOC) of the ICO in Guadalajara, Mexico, 5–9 February 2016.
“It is due to the commitment of our volunteer Board of Trustees, Advisory Committee, committees, and task forces that the ICO is able to develop and offer innovative programs and initiatives to preserve and restore vision,” said Hugh Taylor, AC, MD, President of the ICO. ICO Officers and Board members represent an assembly of international experts who are collaborating to ‘Build a World Alliance for Sight.’ The final selection is balanced by subspecialty, gender, and region.
Download Press Release:
- icoph.org/downloads/ICOWelcomesNewICOOfficersandBoardMembers.pdf (PDF-160 KB)
- icoph.org/downloads/ICOWelcomesNewICOOfficersandBoardMembers.docx (DOCX-17 KB)
8 February 2016: Medal and Award Recipients Honored at WOC2016 Opening Ceremony
The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) recognized outstanding leaders in ophthalmology at the opening ceremony of the 2016 World Ophthalmology Congress® of the ICO in Guadalajara, Mexico, on 5 February.
“The award and medal recipients are individuals who are contributing to their field and doing outstanding work in ophthalmology,” said Dr. Hugh Taylor, ICO President, “and the ICO is pleased to recognize their achievements.”
Download Press Release:
- icoph.org/downloads/MedalandAwardRecipients-WOC2016.pdf (PDF-160 KB)
- icoph.org/downloads/MedalandAwardRecipients-WOC2016.docx (DOCX-17 KB)
Photos of Medal and Award Recipients Honored at WOC2016:
- Clare Gilbert, MB ChB, FRCOphth, MD, MSc
- Sir Peng Khaw, PhD, FRCS, FRCP, FRCOphth, FRCPath, FRSB, FCOptom (Hon), DSc, FARVO, FMedSci
- Marie-José Tassignon, MD, PhD, FEBO
- David S. Taylor, FRCOphth, DSc(Med)
- Richard Abbott, MD
8 February 2016 (Updated): ICO Issues Guidelines for Glaucoma Eye Care
San Francisco, California, USA - The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) has published ICO Guidelines for Glaucoma Eye Care. The ICO Guidelines summarize core requirements for the appropriate care of open and closed angle glaucoma and consider low and intermediate to high-resource settings. They are currently available in English and Spanish.
Download Press Release:
- icoph.org/downloads/ICOIssuesGuidelinesforGlaucomaEyeCare.pdf (PDF - 161KB)
- icoph.org/downloads/ICOIssuesGuidelinesforGlaucomaEyeCare.docx (DOCX - 32 KB)
Download an image of the Guidelines: http://www.icoph.org/images/ICOGlaucomaGuidelines.jpg
ICO logos are available below in the ICO Press Kit.
ICO Press Kit:
- Quick Facts (PDF – 79 KB)
- ICO General Brochure (PDF – 1.3 MB)
- View ICO Program Updates
- ICO Logos formatted for web:
Contact the ICO
Please email news@icoph.org with any news-related questions. View Contact Us or the ICO staff members webpage for more information about how to reach the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO).
World Ophthalmology Congress® of the International Council of Ophthalmology
The World Ophthalmology Congress® (WOC) of the International Council of Ophthalmology is the longest continuous international medical meeting, first held in 1857. WOC2018 took place 16–19 June 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. Held every two years, WOC2020 will take place in Cape Town, South Africa 26–29 June 2020.
