The Third Global Optometry Student Summit
3rd Global Optometry
Student Summit
GOSS 2026
“Global Vision Health 2026: Empowering the Next Generation Through Technological Integration and Infrastructure Standards” — held virtually, July 9–12, 2026.
The 3rd Global Optometry Student Summit (GOSS 2026) was the largest edition of this annual gathering to date — a fully virtual, four-day event that brought together optometry students, educators, researchers, and eye health leaders from 40 countries across six continents.
Organised by OPTOGLOBE and delivered in partnership with VOSH International, the summit featured live presentations on AI-powered diagnostics, clinical infrastructure, and contact lens research, alongside the inaugural OSA of the Year Award — judged live by Prof. Kovin Naidoo of OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and Donna Mikulecky of Optometry Giving Sight.
The ETF Global Needs Assessment, presented at the Americas Session, revealed that 69% of optometry students in low and middle income countries own no personal diagnostic equipment — a finding with implications for global eye health policy that extends far beyond the summit itself.
Each session was delivered in the languages of its audience — English, French, and Arabic — and featured speakers and student presenters drawn from their region’s own optometry community.
Optometry Giving Sight
OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation
One Summit. Four Regions. Four Days.
Where the World Showed Up
750+ registered participants from 40 countries joined GOSS 2026 — the summit’s widest geographic reach to date.
Participation by Region
Participation by Country
| # | Country | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 12.0% |
| 2 | Malawi | 10.0% |
| 3 | Kenya | 9.9% |
| 4 | Pakistan | 9.6% |
| 5 | Saudi Arabia | 7.4% |
| 6 | Philippines | 7.2% |
| 7 | Ghana | 5.2% |
| 8 | Sudan | 4.8% |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 4.7% |
| 10 | Uganda | 4.3% |
| 11 | Oman | 4.1% |
| 12 | Haiti | 3.9% |
| 13 | India | 3.5% |
| 14 | DR Congo | 2.8% |
| 15 | Palestine | 2.4% |
| 16 | USA | 1.7% |
| 17–40 | Nepal, Cameroon, Mozambique, Jordan, Iraq, Moldova, Qatar, Yemen, United Kingdom, UAE, Portugal, Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe, China, Switzerland, Bahrain, Kuwait, Canada, Rwanda, Morocco, South Sudan + 1 other | <1% |
Top 5 Institutions by Registration
All Four Sessions — Now on YouTube
Missed a session or want to revisit a presentation? Watch the complete recordings of all four GOSS 2026 regional sessions on the OPTOGLOBE YouTube channel.