The Global Optometry Public Health Alliance (GOPHA) launched a public health forum on January 19, 2026, in partnership with the India Vision Institute (IVI). The event aimed to improve access to essential eye care for underserved communities worldwide. The forum aligned with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SPECS 2030 framework. It focused on placing optometry more centrally within public health systems. Key topics included prevention, early detection, timely referral, and stronger integration with primary healthcare services. Titled ‘Synergizing Global Efforts: The Vital Role of Optometry in Achieving WHO SPECS 2030 Targets,’ the forum highlighted that eye health should be part of broader health systems, not a separate issue. More than 900 delegates from 69 countries attended the discussions. Kovin Naidoo, GOPHA’s interim president, introduced the alliance and said, "The profession’s potential to contribute meaningfully to global eye health goals" is significant. Cindy Tromans, president of the World Council of Optometry, and Stuart Keel, WHO technical officer for Blindness Prevention under SPECS 2030, also addressed the forum. Vinod Daniel, CEO of India Vision Institute, said, "The initiative reaffirmed the critical role of optometrists in delivering primary eye care and translating global commitments into community-level action." The forum marked a key step in promoting eye health worldwide through stronger optometry involvement.