Uniting Optometry for Global Public Health
Empowering Sight, Enhancing Lives
About Our Global Optometry Public Health Alliance
The Global Optometry Public Health Alliance (GOPHA) is a non-profit organization that brings together optometry leaders from around the world. We work collectively to strengthen universal access to essential eye health services.
Global Team
Professionals from around the world working together
Our Vision
To create a future where everyone has access to comprehensive, high-quality eye care, ensuring lives free from preventable blindness and vision impairment.
Our Mission
To empower optometry professionals globally to alleviate the cause of preventable blindness and vision impairment, creating accessible and affordable eye care services for all.
Our Strategy for Global Eye Health
Discover the four core strategies we use to advance eye care as a public health priority around the world.
Global Advocacy
Drive policy to align with the World Health Assembly and UN resolutions on eye care, including collaboration with the WHO's SPECS 2030 initiative.
Workforce Development
Strengthen eye health capacity by supporting the development of optometry and its integration into national health systems.
Education & Awareness
Launch campaigns to educate professionals and the public on the importance of eye health and public health challenges.
Innovation
Promote the adoption of digital health solutions, such as tele-refraction, to expand services in underserved areas.
Our Global Leadership Team
Our alliance is led by a dedicated team of professionals with extensive experience in global public eye health and optometry. They are leading GOPHA's mission to transform global eye health.
Chair
Kovin Naidoo
Chairperson
Regional Representatives
Tuwani Rasengane
Africa
Kah Ooi Tan
East Asia
Charlie Ho
Southeast Asia
Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu
Australia
Hassan Awada
Middle East & Eastern Mediterranean
Eva Lazuka-Nicoulaud
Europe
Hector Santiago
Latin America
Scott Mundle
North America
Rajeev Prasad
South Asia
Other Roles
Pirindha Govender-Poonsamy
Secretary
Ameer Abou Adela
Member Organisations Coordinator
Benjamin Chandra
Research Associate
Global Public Eye Health News & Resources Hub
(Upcoming) Your hub for the latest news, events, and publications from the world of optometry public health and GOPHA.
Join Our Global Optometry Alliance
Joining GOPHA means more than becoming a member of an organisation; it means actively shaping the future of our profession and advancing vision equity for populations worldwide.
Membership Benefits
Amplify Your Voice & Influence Policy
Contribute to a powerful, unified voice advocating for optometry within global health systems. You will help shape policies that advance vision equity and align with WHO strategies like SPECS 2030.
Collaborate with a Global Network
Join an influential network of peers, thought leaders, and institutions. Forge partnerships, share high-impact strategies, and drive collective action on the world’s most pressing eye health challenges.
Advance Your Professional Expertise
Access specialized education and evidence-based best practices. Elevate your standing through unique opportunities to publish, present your work, and gain recognition on an international stage.
Drive High-Impact Research
Engage in multinational research collaborations. You will be part of driving innovation in scalable, community-based models of eye care that deliver tangible outcomes to inform policy.
Create Lasting Impact
Join a mission-driven community committed to results. Translate your expertise into action to strengthen health systems and create a world with better vision and better health for all.
Membership Categories
General Membership
Open to optometry professional associations directly involved in the optometry field.
Rights & Benefits:
- Eligible to vote at General Assembly
- Can hold leadership positions
Associate Membership
An invitational category for associations from countries where primary eye care providers are not yet legally recognised as optometrists.
Rights:
- May participate in projects
- No voting rights
- Cannot hold leadership positions
Affiliate Membership
For individuals, organisations, and academic institutions who support GOPHA's mission but do not qualify for General Membership.
Rights:
- Includes individual optometrists, students, NGOs, & industry partners
- Single representative voting rights
- Position on executive committee
Membership Application
Join GOPHA today to be at the forefront of the movement transforming global eye health. Please fill out the application form below.
Public Eye Health Research & Data Collection
Contributing to global eye health through collaborative research and comprehensive data collection initiatives.
Projects:
Global Optometry Education Mapping Study
Comprehensive study mapping the state of optometry education globally.
01-09/2025-ongoing
Contact the Global Optometry Public Health Alliance
Get in touch with our team to learn more about GOPHA's initiatives or to explore collaboration opportunities.
Get in Touch
We're here to help and answer any questions you might have. We look forward to hearing from you and exploring how we can work together to advance global eye health.
General Inquiries
info.gopha@gmail.com
For general questions and information about GOPHA
Secretary
Pirindha Govender-Poonsamy
p.govender@globalophthalmicinstitute.org
Administrative matters
Help Us Transform Global Eye Health
Join our global network of optometry professionals and help us create a world where preventable blindness is eliminated and quality eye care is accessible to all.