International Council of Ophthalmology

What International Council of Ophthalmology does

The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) is a Geneva-headquartered, Swiss-governed non-profit professional membership organization connecting ophthalmologists worldwide to preserve and restore vision. It aggregates 180+ national, regional, and subspecialty member societies across 120+ countries, with communications reach extending to 100,000+ ophthalmologists globally. The organization holds the unique distinction of being the only ophthalmology body in Official Relations with the World Health Organization, enabling it to contribute to global eye health policy and WHO publications such as the World Report on Vision.

ICO's product portfolio spans three core pillars: (1) the World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC), a biennial international medical congress first held in 1857 and recognized as the world's longest continuous international medical meeting; (2) ICO Examinations, which confer the Fellow of the International Council of Ophthalmology (FICO) credential and operate across multiple global examination centers; and (3) ICO Fellowships, placing ophthalmologists from low- and middle-income countries at international host institutions. Supporting these are the ICO Portal digital platform (woc-virtual.com) for on-demand educational content, the proprietary ICO-OSCAR surgical competency assessment rubric with a companion mobile app co-developed with LV Prasad Eye Institute, comprehensive International Curricula for residency and subspecialty training, the Ophthalmic Educators Curriculum, and clinical guidelines for glaucoma and diabetic eye care translated into multiple languages.

The business model is community-led and membership-funded. Revenue is generated through annual per-member dues (1.133 CHF for low-income country members, 2.266 CHF middle-income, 3.708 CHF high-income, based on World Bank classification), exam fees for FICO candidates, fellowship program fees, biennial WOC registration and exhibition revenue, and ICO Portal subscriptions. Distribution occurs primarily through the member society network, which functions as a global channel for ICO programs, examinations, and fellowships. The organization is governed by its member societies through the ICO General Assembly, with Ivo Kocur as CEO and David Pyott as President, and operates with an 11–50 employee footprint in Geneva.

Name

International Council of Ophthalmology

Legal name

International Council of Ophthalmology

Website

https://icoph.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1857

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Council of Ophthalmology is a Geneva-based non-profit membership organization that connects 180+ national and subspecialty ophthalmology societies across 120+ countries, delivering the biennial World Ophthalmology Congress, FICO certification exams, fellowships, and standardized curricula to 100,000+ ophthalmologists worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Medical Association Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Ophthalmic/Optometric Assisting (EDAOAJAK)

Keywords

• Ophthalmology professional services
• Medical education certification
• Ophthalmic examinations
• Clinical practice guidelines
• Global eye health advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual dues from member societies calculated based on number of society members multiplied by assigned rate in CHF based on World Bank country income groups. Low-income countries pay 1.133 CHF per member, middle-income pay 2.266 CHF, high-income pay 3.708 CHF per member.
2. ICO Examinations: Revenue from administering ophthalmology examinations globally, providing certification (FICO designation) and professional credentialing.
3. ICO Fellowship Program: Fellowship placements for young ophthalmologists from low- and middle-income countries at ICO host institutions.
4. World Ophthalmology Congress: Biennial flagship congress revenue supporting ICO initiatives and programs. Revenues from registrations and exhibitions.
5. ICO Portal Subscriptions: Portal access provides recorded symposia, member society journals, and clinical knowledge resources. Limited license for personal, non-commercial use.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) is a global non-profit membership organization that connects ophthalmologists and national/regional/subspecialty ophthalmology societies through standardized education, certification, fellowship placement, and advocacy. Its core offerings include the biennial World Ophthalmology Congress, ICO Examinations awarding the FICO designation, ICO Fellowships for ophthalmologists from low- and middle-income countries, the ICO Portal digital learning platform, and the ICO-OSCAR surgical competency assessment tools with companion mobile app.

Product overview

The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) is a professional membership organization, not a traditional technology company. Its product portfolio centers on three core pillars: (1) the World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC), a biennial flagship international medical meeting held since 1857; (2) ICO Examinations and Fellowships that provide certification and international training placements for ophthalmologists; and (3) the ICO Portal, a digital platform for accessing recorded educational content. Supporting these are numerous sub-products including the ICO-OSCAR surgical competency assessment tools with a companion mobile app, comprehensive International Curricula and the Ophthalmic Educators Curriculum, clinical guidelines for glaucoma and diabetic eye care, the Eye Care Service Assessment Tool (ECSAT), and the World Ophthalmology Leaders Program for leadership development. The ICO also publishes advocacy resources including the WHO World Report on Vision and VISION 2020 frameworks. All offerings work together to advance the ICO's mission of preserving and restoring vision globally through education, certification, and advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC) The ICO's flagship biennial international medical congress, first held in 1857. Features a scientific program addressing all ophthalmology subspecialties, networking opportunities, and exhibitions for ophthalmologists worldwide.
• ICO Examinations

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICO is the only ophthalmology organization in Official Relations with WHO. This status enables ICO to advocate for ophthalmology on the world stage, contribute to WHO reports (World Report on Vision), and participate in WHO resolutions and action plans on eye health.
• CBMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBM supported the development of ICO Guidelines for Glaucoma Eye Care. CBM is an international Christian development organization committed to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in low-resource settings.
• Light for the WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported development of ICO Guidelines for Glaucoma Eye Care and ICO Task Force on Uncorrected Refractive Errors. Light for the World is an international disability and development organization focusing on eye health and inclusive education.
• OrbiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported development of ICO Guidelines for Glaucoma Eye Care. Orbis is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving sight worldwide through training, research, and advocacy.
• World Glaucoma AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided feedback on ICO Guidelines for Glaucoma Eye Care. World Glaucoma Association is a global organization focused on advancing glaucoma research and treatment.
• International Diabetes FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly released Global Statement on Diabetes and Eye Health with ICO, International Diabetes Federation, World Council of Optometry, and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.
• World Council of OptometrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly released Global Statement on Diabetes and Eye Health with ICO and other organizations.
• International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly released Global Statement on Diabetes and Eye Health with ICO and other organizations. IAPB is the peak body for organizations working for the prevention of blindness and vision loss.
• LV Prasad Eye InstitutecoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaborated with LV Prasad Eye Institute to develop the ICO-OSCAR Mobile App for standardized surgical competency assessments.
• Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed the International Core Curriculum for Refractive Error with ICO. JCAHPO provides education and certification for allied health personnel in ophthalmology.
• Singapore Eye Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on ICO Guidelines for Diabetic Eye Care development alongside ICO and other partners.
• Asia Pacific Glaucoma SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided feedback on ICO Guidelines for Glaucoma Eye Care as an ICO Member Society.
• Canadian Glaucoma SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided feedback on ICO Guidelines for Glaucoma Eye Care as an ICO Member Society.
• American Glaucoma SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided feedback on ICO Guidelines for Glaucoma Eye Care as an ICO Member Society.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE): European regional ophthalmology society that convenes ophthalmologists across Europe and co-develops congress and educational programs with ICO. Most direct comparator as a multi-country professional society serving a defined region.
• World Council of Optometry (WCO): Global optometry professional body that partners with ICO on the Global Statement on Diabetes and Eye Health. Most directly comparable global professional society in the adjacent vision-care discipline.
• International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB): Global alliance of eye-health organizations with overlapping membership, advocacy mission, and WHO engagement. ICO partner on the Global Statement on Diabetes and Eye Health, with comparable global convening function.
• European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS): Leading subspecialty society in cataract and refractive surgery that develops clinical guidelines, education, and congress programs overlapping with ICO's curricula and OSCAR work in cataract surgery.

Emerging players

• Orbis International: Global non-profit focused on eye health training, advocacy, and the Flying Eye Hospital. Strategic ICO partner on glaucoma guidelines, with overlapping training and low-resource country mandates but operational rather than professional-society focus.

Regional players

• Royal College of Ophthalmologists: UK national professional body for ophthalmologists, ICO member society, and co-administrator of the FRCS (Ophth)(Glasg) examination delivered in partnership with ICO. Represents a major national credentialing counterpart.
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: Largest national ophthalmology professional society, with 32,000+ members in the US. Direct ICO member society and the dominant regional counterpart, offering its own continuing education, clinical guidelines, and the annual AAO meeting that competes for global congress attendance.
• Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO): Hemispheric professional ophthalmology organization representing societies across the Americas. Direct comparator to ICO's role of convening national societies within a defined geography.
• Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO): Federation of ophthalmological societies in the Asia-Pacific region, organizing the annual APAO Congress. Comparable to ICO as a multi-society umbrella, with overlapping congress and education mandates across a major region.

Others

• International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies: Historical umbrella body for the international ophthalmology community. Related federation with overlapping society membership and an advisory/coordination role analogous to ICO's General Assembly function.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/intlcounciloph
• Facebookfacebook.com/internationalcouncilophthalmology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/713250

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Council of Ophthalmology