ABDO is a member of the International Opticians Association (IOA). In addition ABDO provides the Secretariat. The International Secretary is ABDO's General Secretary Sir Anthony Garrett and all correspondence should be addressed to 199 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LD.

The IOA has a Conference every alternate year. In March 2006 the IOA met in New York and again Manchester(UK)in 2008.

The new President, elected in Manchester is Don Smith of Canada.

The next convention will be held in September 2010 in Gattenau, Ontario.

At present the IOA is looking at how to harmonise qualifications between member states, in particular between the UK, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. David Wilson of Australia is Chairing the working group on this important issue.

Membership is open to all Opticians in the member states.

The IOA in addition to an elected President has a Council comprising four representatives of each member Country.
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