April 2020 Newsletter
In this issue we celebrate our chapter of the month, reflect on the words of our President on safety and health at work, share COVID-19 resources from key optometry and eye health care bodies, highlight the opportunity to obtain over 60 COPE credits online and Zeiss' offer for free slit lamp breather shields, celebrate the solidarity and creativity of our SVOSH chapters and share updates from some of our loyal partners.As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres recently said "exceptional times demand exceptional solidarity” and at VOSH/International we are trying to do just that with your help.
President's Insights
April 28 th , 2020 is World Day for Safety and Health at Work , and that includes volunteer work. Last month VOSH/International issued a recommendation to all chapters to halt clinical activity to prevent the unnecessary spread of this new coronavirus and to protect our volunteers and patients. As we take this time to pause and reconsider our important work in vision and ophthalmic care, let’s briefly think about how we could proceed forward in safety and health. Click here to read the full article.
VOSH-Nebraska is chapter of the month
Congratulations to VOSH-Nebraska for being nominated Chapter of the Month for their efforts in providing vision care to patients both internationally and domestically. For four years, VOSH-Nebraska has organised clinics in Dominican Republic. The last one serving Santiago and surrounding communities in collaboration with Creighton University ILAC (Institute for Latin American Concern) Mission. At local level, this chapter is developing a sustainable domestic clinic in association with Heart Ministry Center in the downtown area of Omaha, Nebraska to serve those. This initiative has the support of our Technology Transfer Program to help equip the exam lane. Visit their website here
News from our partners

CEwire offers over 60 COPE hours  

CEwire2020 is the largest virtual conference in eye care, featuring over 60 COPE-Approved credit hours in a virtual space. Over 12,000 ODs have taken CEwire courses to fulfil their continuing education requirements. The courses can be taken live online on April 25 & 26 , and participants will receive LIVE COPE credits for all courses attended. The courses will remain available on demand through October 1, 2020. The registration cost for the event is $159 for all 60 credits. Profits from the event are to be shared with leading eye care non-profits, including VOSH/International and the American Academy of Optometry Foundation. Read the full article here and more information about CEwire2020 visit this link
Optometry Giving Sight launches new website
Our partners of Optometry Giving Sight have recently launched a new website. Please visit https://www.givingsight.org/ to get the most recent news and updates of this important organisation.
Global Eye Health Sector Support for World Health Organization
Over the last week, the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the battle against COVID-19 has been at the centre of the world’s attention. IAPB on behalf of its members  has issued a statement  calling on governments to support the WHO’s efforts at this critical time. S imilar statements of support were issued by the   UN Secretary General ,   civil society groups and countries.
News from our SVOSH chapters

SVOSH PUCO Spring 2020 newsletter

The SVOSH chapter at the Pacific University School of Optometry -AMIGOS EyeCare- shared their Spring 2020 newsletter. Read more about their last clinic to Senegal, the conditions they found there including trachoma and their future plans. Dr Craig Bowen who accompanied this chapter in this clinic is also a Board member of VOSH/International. Click here to read the full newsletter.
SVOSH-MCU Philippines supports frontline heathworkers
The SVOSH chapter at Manila Central University are supporting the campaign of Junior Integrated Phillippine Association Optometrist ( JR IPAO) to donate PPE to different hospitals in the Philippines that lack these supplies.Motivated by this initiative VOSH/International is supporting our international chapters with small donations for similar purpose.
Thanks to our supporters

Ben Karimi & Associates


This month we want to thank Ben Karimi and Aurora Sabater from KARIMI & ASSOCIATES, Certified Public Accountants based in Encino, California who kindly carried out the financial review of our 2018 accounts free of charge. Thanks a lot for your support!!!
Technology in times of COVID-19
University designs slit lamp breath shield prototype

The University of Michigan has designed a special purpose acrylic plexiglass panel that fits and works with slit lamp biomicroscopes. These have been installed at the Kellogg Eye Center, where Michigan Medicine is providing urgent eyecare to patients. Full article available here
Zeiss offers free slit lamp breather shields to optometrists

ZEISS Medical Technology, are providing free protective breath shields that can be easily installed on most slit lamps regardless of make or model through May 2020 and subject to availability. Currently available to ship to the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia. Fill in the application form here
COVID-19 resources
Just click on the pink link for more details

  • AAO-My COVID-19 hub-Very informative. Jeff Weaver, OD member of our Data Committee is in the task force that put this hub together.
  • AOA-COVID-19:Crisis response: Resources for ODs and their patients. Regularly updated and featuring webinars and information for US optometrists.  
  • IAPB COVID 19 resources: a wide variety of resources from the global eye health sector. For resources in Spanish click here.
  • IACLE COVID-19 updates. Regular updates with information and resources focused on contact lenses for your teaching and practice.
World Health Day: celebrating nurses and midwives
On 7 April, World Health Day celebrated the work of nurses and midwives. The global nursing workforce is just under 28 million and accounts for approximately 59% of the health professions .  Around the world, nurses and other health workers are at the forefront of COVID-19 response - providing high quality, compassionate and courageous treatment and care to their patients. To mark this day, the WHO in partnership with the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and Nursing Now launched the State of the World’s Nursing 2020 Report

Tell the world about a nurse or a midwife or health worker to whom you are personally gratefulby sending a short message to #SupportNursesAndMidwives or
#ThanksHealthHeroes
US Women’s eye health and safety month
According to a  survey by Prevent Blindness , less than 10 percent of US women realise that they are at a greater risk of suffering permanent vision loss than men. Read the article here .

More information and resources on this day here