WCO6 Rescheduled to April 2027 as Riyadh Congress Targets Stronger Global Turnout
The 6th World Congress of Optometry has been pushed back from its original November 2026 dates, with organisers citing improved access for international delegates.
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the Saudi Society of Optometry (SSO) have announced that the 6th World Congress of Optometry (WCO6) will now take place from 2-4 April 2027 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC) in Saudi Arabia, a shift from the originally scheduled November 2026 dates.
The congress will run alongside the 11th Saudi Optometry Conference and will also host the first-ever SILMO Exhibition in Saudi Arabia, making it one of the most significant gatherings the optometry profession has seen in the region.
WCO President Dr. Cindy Tromans said the decision to reschedule was driven by a commitment to maximising participation. "Ensuring that our members and partners worldwide can fully engage in and benefit from the Congress remains at the heart of our decision-making," she said.
SSO President Dr. Waleed AlGhamdi echoed the sentiment, highlighting the event's broader regional significance. "Together with WCO, we are committed to delivering a high-quality international congress that advances clinical practice, education, research, and professional collaboration," he said.
A Historic First for the Eastern Mediterranean
The Riyadh congress will be the first WCO World Congress ever held in the Eastern Mediterranean region, a milestone that organisers say reflects both the SSO's growing influence in advancing eye health across the Kingdom and WCO's push to extend the global footprint of the profession.
For Australian practitioners and industry professionals considering the trip, the April timing may prove more workable than a late-year date that would have fallen close to the busy pre-Christmas period.
Key Dates to Note
Eyecare professionals looking to engage with WCO6 should take note of the following deadlines:
- Abstract submissions: Extended to 30 June 2026
- Early bird registration: Open until 31 January 2027
- Congress dates: 2-4 April 2027, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The event is expected to draw optometrists, educators, researchers, students, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the globe, with a strong emphasis on scientific exchange and professional development.
Further information is available at sso.org.sa/en/sso2026-wco6, or via [email protected].
