August 2024 Newsletter

This month we share the sad news of the passing of a remarkable VOSHer -Max Bruss, President Santiago writes about the importance of data, we thank OGS for a grant for our Technology Transfer Program, welcome a new SVOSH chapter in Nigeria, share information from our chapters’ work and young partners in Africa and announce our two-part Annual Meeting.

President's Insights

The prevalence of refractive errors and visual impairment is a pressing public health issue that affects millions worldwide. Accurate data on these conditions is essential for national and educational authorities to formulate effective policies and allocate resources efficiently. Read the whole article here

La versión en español esta aquí

An extraordinary friend left us, but his legacy remains

It is with great sadness that we learned about the passing of Max Bruss. Max was a loyal friend of VOSH/International and a key member of VOSH-Southeast as Vice President of Operations.

It is hard to describe the degree of commitment and love shown by Max in all his humanitarian work. He left a mark across the world. Read the whole article here.

A grant from Optometry Giving Sight

We are delighted to announce that we received an OGS grant for $45k to be used mainly for our Technology Transfer Program (TTP). We thank OGS for their constant support.

The grant will help us improve this important area of work.

Join the World Sight Day Challenge and help OGS with its important work supporting organizations like ours.

News from our members

VOSH-Somalia serves thousands

Our colleagues in Somalia organised four humanitarian clinics reaching over 2400 patients including 120 cataract surgeries. With limited resources, great commitment and compassion, our Somalian colleagues served their local population in need and changed lives. We are grateful for their work and hope to support them with their efforts shortly. Their humility and enthusiasm are inspiring.

Read their report here.

For more information please contact Dr Mohamed Ali at voshsomalia@gmail.com

A warm welcome to a new SVOSH chapter in Nigeria

The Department of Optometry at the Federal University of Technology Owerri in Nigeria has joined VOSH/International.

We extend a warm welcome to our Nigerian colleagues and look forward to working with them.

The faculty adviser is Dr Edith Daniel-Nwosu at edith.nwosu@futo.edu.ng

NSUOCO SVOSH completes successful work in Honduras

Between August 7 and 14, SVOSH -NSUOCO visited Roatan in Honduras. The team of 3 ODs, including V/I Vice President, Dr Vicki Weiss, 18 students, and two lay volunteers served almost 600 patients and dispensed over 200 pairs of glasses and a similar amount of reading glasses. Twenty-three glaucoma patients received a year's supply of eyedrops and 48 referrals for cataract surgery.

Read their report and impressions here.

From Massachusetts to the Gambia

Sometimes all the stars align for a good outcome. In this opportunity, a little patience, persistence, and making the most of our network resulted in a project in the Gambia benefitting from donated equipment to continue offering patients eye health care.

This story started in Massachusetts where Dr Marie K. Salvas after 40 years as a solo practitioner decided to retire. Read the whole article here to find out what happened.

2024 Annual Meetings

This year’s Annual Meeting will be held in two cities. The first part will be held in Quito, Ecuador on October 26^th at the time of the Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics (ALDOO) congress for all our Latin American VOSH and SVOSH chapters and allies in this region.

The second part of the meeting will be held in Indianapolis on the morning of November 9^th for all our US VOSH and SVOSH chapters attending the American Academy of Optometry meeting.

Annual Meeting in Quito. The Latin American part

VOSH/International has an agreement with ALDOO and is supporting its congress and the Deans of Schools meeting with lecturers. All our Latin American VOSH and SVOSH chapters have been invited to apply for travel grants to attend our meeting.

On October 27^th, there will be a humanitarian clinic in collaboration with the Ecuadorian Federation of Optometrists (FEDOPTE) involving the two Ecuadorian SVOSH chapters.

Información sobre la reunión anual en Quito y las becas parciales para capítulos VOSH y SVOSH aquí

Annual Meeting at Indy

Our Annual Meeting in Indianapolis will take place on November 9th between 8:00 am and 12:30 pm. It will focus on the role and importance of SVOSH chapters on addressing eye health care inequalities through leadership and collaboration.

Thanks to sponsorship from VSP Global, all US SVOSH chapters have been invited to apply for a travel grant to attend our meeting. Check your emails for the invitation and conditions of the grant or use this link to access the form. Other VOSHers can register for the meeting here . The final venue and program wil be shared asap.

News from our partners

OPTOGLOBE launches its first newsletter

Our young partners of OPTOGLOBE, the global movement of optometry students, share their first newsletter with us. Check for the details on the video contest they are running to raise awareness about leukocoria which is open to all Optometry students anywhere in the world.

You can find it here. For more information contact info.optoglobe@gmail.com

Exciting news by the African Federation of Optometry Students (AFOS)

The African Federation of Optometry Students (AFOS) was established to address the critical gaps in eye care across Africa. In many regions of the continent, access to quality eye care remains limited, leaving communities vulnerable to preventable vision loss. AFOS is dedicated to building a network of skilled optometry students who can actively contribute to improving eye health in their communities and beyond. We are working towards an impactful partnership with them. Read an introductory article here.

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