Promoting Excellence in Orthoptic Education and Scientific Advancement

Empowering Orthoptists Through Knowledge, Innovation, and Collaboration

Welcome to the IOA Education and Research Program

The International Orthoptic Association (IOA) Education and Research Program is dedicated to fostering high standards in orthoptic education and advancing scientific research within the field of orthoptics. Our mission is to provide orthoptists, educators, and researchers worldwide with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to grow professionally and contribute to the global advancement of vision care.

The program is guided by the principles set out in the IOA Strategic Plan, focusing on:

Promoting educational standards and professional development resources.
Supporting research initiatives that drive innovation and evidence-based practice.
Facilitating international collaboration through shared knowledge and mentorship.

The program is coordinated by:
📧 Dr. Jignasa Mehta – united.kingdom@internationalorthoptics.org
📧 Linda Colpa – canada@internationalorthoptics.org

Projects, Priorities, and Directions

1. Advancing Educational Standards

The IOA is committed to developing global benchmarks for orthoptic training and education to ensure consistency in professional preparation. Current priorities include:

Establishing core competencies for orthoptic education worldwide.
Supporting the creation of approved training guidelines and accreditation systems.
Collaborating with national associations to strengthen orthoptic education programs in developing regions.

Next Steps: The IOA is actively developing a comprehensive framework for educational standards, including input from global stakeholders and educators.

2. Building Professional Development Resources

To support lifelong learning, the IOA is working to develop and enhance resources that empower orthoptists to grow professionally. Planned initiatives include:

Guidelines for Writing Scientific Papers: Step-by-step instructions for research publication.
Publication Guidelines and Author Support: Tools to help orthoptists navigate the publication process and share their work.
Continuing Education Plans and Resources: Access to educational webinars, workshops, and courses tailored to professional needs.
Education Grants: Financial support to encourage participation in training, research, and professional events.

3. Promoting Research and Innovation

The IOA recognizes the importance of evidence-based research in driving advances in clinical practice. The Education and Research Program aims to:

Develop White Papers and Position Papers on critical topics in orthoptics, starting with Amblyopia and expanding to Vision Screening and other key areas.
Provide tools and resources to guide orthoptists in conducting high-quality research, including how-to guides for structuring papers, posters, and presentations.
Create a repository of research-focused resources to encourage scientific contributions and collaboration.

Upcoming Initiatives: The IOA is working on a standardized process for developing White Papers, including authorship guidelines, funding frameworks, and project timelines.

4. Encouraging International Collaboration

The Education and Research Program seeks to connect orthoptists across borders to promote shared knowledge and mentorship opportunities. Key initiatives include:

Facilitating global research collaborations and partnerships.
Supporting professional exchanges and mentorship programs for orthoptists in emerging regions.
Sharing educational best practices and research findings at the International Orthoptic Congress and other IOA-sponsored events.

Get Involved

We invite IOA members, educators, and researchers to contribute to the Education and Research Program. Whether you are developing innovative research, sharing teaching methodologies, or mentoring the next generation of orthoptists, your involvement is essential to our collective success.

To learn more or to participate in current projects, please contact:
📧 Dr. Jignasa Mehta – united.kingdom@internationalorthoptics.org
📧 Linda Colpa – canada@internationalorthoptics.org

Together, we can advance orthoptic education and research, ensuring a brighter future for global eye care.