At the Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare, we believe that success is made together. We collaborate with both Finnish and international organisations because we want to influence the industry’s development in an extensive and sustained manner. We are members of the Nordic Council of Optometry (NOR) and the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO). In Finland, we represent our interests together with the Federation of Finnish Special Commodity Trade (ETU), Suomen Yrittäjät and the Finnish Commerce Federation.
The Federation of Finnish Special Commodity Trade (ETU) is a nationwide cooperative body and lobbying organisation promoting products and services trade. ETU enables the success of its members through proactive lobbying, training, and communication based on research.
Suomen Yrittäjät is the largest business federation in Finland with more than 115.000 member companies. Its members represent commerce, traffic, services, industry and contracting. Suomen Yrittäjät wants to improve the position of entrepreneurs and the conditions for entrepreneurship. Its goal is to make Finland the best place to run a business.
The Finnish Commerce Federation is a nationwide lobbying organisation whose mission is to promote Finnish commerce. We work to improve the operating conditions and cooperation between wholesale and retail companies and look after the commercial and employer interests of our members.
The Ethical Council of Optometry in Finland (OEN) guides and supervises the practising of licensed opticians. The operation of OEN is maintained by the Finnish Professionals of Optometry (SOA) and the Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare.
The cooperation partners of the Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences is an international and multidisciplinary university of applied sciences operating in the Greater Helsinki region that trains specialists and developers in culture, business, social services and health care, and technology. Metropolia offers a degree programme in optometry. The degree programme in optometry consists of project-based learning, theory lessons, practical training, and work placement.
Oulu University of Applied Sciences is a university of applied sciences operating in the Oulu region, which offers education in culture, business, natural resources, social services and health care, and technology. Oulu University of Applied Sciences has a degree programme in optometry (in Finnish). The students are trained in eye examinations and the detection of eye diseases as well as prescribing, fitting and manufacturing spectacles and contact lenses. From autumn 2020, Oulu University of Applied Sciences has also offered a master’s degree in optometry (YAMK).
Rastor-instituutti is a versatile provider of business training that trains both individuals and companies and, in this way, develops the working practices of companies both in Finland and abroad.
The Finnish Professionals of Optometry (SOA) merged with the Union of Private Sector Professionals (ERTO) in 2014. SOA represents opticians, optometrists and students in the field. As an interest organisation for the eyewear industry, SOA negotiates the generally binding collective agreement applied in all Finnish opticians’ shops with the Finnish Commerce Federation.
The Finnish Contact Lens Association is an association founded in the 1970s for everyone operating in the contact lens industry. The association is independent and run by volunteers. It represents the general interests of its members, organises training events, provides assessments and publishes general information concerning the industry. Its goal is to enhance mutual understanding between the operators in the field and promote technical progress based on medicine and its practical implementation in the contact lens industry.
Suomen Työnäköseura is an association that promotes and facilitates the practical implementation of research on occupational vision and occupational eye protection based on ophthalmology, optometry and good occupational health care practices.
Foreign organisations
The Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare also conducts close international collaboration
The European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) is the European organisation which represents the interests of optometrists and opticians from 27 countries. It aims to promote eye health to the public across borders and to harmonise clinical and educational standards of optometric and optical practice throughout Europe.
The European Academy of Optometry and Optics (EAOO) is a membership organisation that provides a much needed voice to help advance the optometry and optics, develop the scientific knowledge base and support and promote lifelong learning for optometrists, opticians, vision scientists and all those involved in eye health care across Europe.
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) is an international membership organisation with a mission to facilitate the enhancement and development of eye and vision care worldwide. WCO is a unifying voice and catalyst for international projects and services that meet the needs of the optometric profession and local communities.
WCO is the first and only optometric organisation in official relations with the World Health Organisation and maintains the highest level of membership in the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.
EUROMCONTACT represent the European Manufacturers of contact lenses and lens care products to to EU institutions, stakeholders and the trade press, providing expertise for policy-makers and helping shape the right regulatory environment. Our members make society healthier while providing safe, high quality contact lenses and lens care products, thus contributing to improved eye health and vision.