International Orthoptic Association

In this video, Jigs tells us about her role as the British and Irish Orthoptics Society representative for the International Orthoptic Association (IOA).

The IOA envisions itself as the global advocate for orthoptic learning, research and professional excellence.

The aim of the IOA is to promote the science of orthoptics worldwide, to provide information and support to national bodies and individual orthoptists, and to help maintain and improve standards of education, training and orthoptic practice.

The IOA has a programme-based structure with five program areas that work together to achieve the aims and objectives of the Association:

• International Cooperation
• Education and Research
• Standards and Quality
• Promotion and Development
• Operations Management

Programme work is carried out by programme coordinators, project leaders / committee chairs and team and committee members. Programme coordinators oversee the function and time limited project teams and/or individuals guided by specific project plans.

While specific project teams evolve and dissolve as needed, the core program areas remain a constant.

IOA objectives are:

• to promote the science of orthoptics, the publication of related scientific material and an internationally accepted terminology for use by orthoptists
• to provide information and assistance to national authorities and individuals in order to initiate and develop the practice of the science of orthoptics throughout the world
• to promote high standards of training and practice in orthoptics
• to organise international congresses for orthoptists and others concerned with the practice of orthoptics and for the generation of knowledge of the science of orthoptics

IOA aims are:

• to provide a service to the patient by encouraging a high standard of practice in orthoptics
• to encourage high standards in the training of orthoptists
• to foster the science of orthoptics
• to encourage and maintain an internationally acceptable terminology
• to provide information and assistance to national organisations as well as to individuals so that orthoptic services may be initiated and developed throughout the world
• to organise at regular intervals Orthoptic Congresses

“We work together with the member countries to bring together this practice of Orthoptics and to continually advance the practice and push those boundaries.”