January 2023 Monthly News & Updates

President's Insights

Like many of our colleagues, I am a bit of a gadget nerd and have strived to incorporate new technology into our practice whenever possible. We purchased an OCT for the practice about seven years ago and now I don’t know how we ever practiced without it. There is an array of new technologies that I believe will change how we provide eye care for the better, especially to those in need or in underserved communities. At the same time, I am also concerned...Read the whole article here.

LAST MINUTE - URGENT CALLS

South Dakota VOSH is seeking doctors and refracting technicians for their upcoming mission to Gomez Palacio, Mexico on February 4-12. The team is flying into Mexico this Saturday. Local transport and lodging are covered by the Gomez Palacio Lion's Club. For further information please contact Jenny Ness at sdvosh@gmail.com

SVOSH-UAB at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Optometry and Vision Science is urgently looking for hosts for their May clinic. They have permission to visit the following countries: Aruba, Barbados, or Grenada. If you have reliable contacts in any of those countries, please share them with Dr. Keisha Brown, faculty adviser SVOSH-UAB at kbrown3@uab.edu or 205-996-1783

VOSH-SE and Eye for God Ministries need ODs for clinics in Guatemala. They are going to this country several times in 2023. The first clinic to El Fero is scheduled for March 11 to 18. The other clinics will take place in May, September, and October. ODs are required for all. Please contact Glenn Lashley, project coordinator at gmlashley@juno.com or 386-846-6293.

Two new Mexican chapters join VOSH/International

We are delighted to welcome two new Mexican chapters.

SVOSH-UCEDEI at the optometry program at the University CEDEI, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and VOSH-Sinaloa at the Lions Club of Sinaloa.

We extend them a warm welcome and look forward to a very productive relationship in 2023.

Bienvenidos!!

Glaucoma Awareness and Management around the globe

January is US Glaucoma Awareness month. SUNY’s College of Optometry’s office of Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) once more joined forces with VOSH/International and organized a webinar on “Glaucoma awareness and management around the globe” with inputs from optometrists from Antigua, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Spain. Over 95 attended from 23 different countries attended the session. If you missed it, you can watch the video here .

Thank you Dr. Weiss and Dr. Harewood for organizing it.

Interesting news and events

The percentage of US American women ODs reaches 47.3%

In the past 10 years Women In Optometry (WO) has been tracking the number of US ODs in practice at the start of every year. In 2023, the percentage of US women ODs in practice rose to 47.3 percent of the total, an increase from 45.5 percent the year before. Read the whole article here. What is the trend in your country?

FINAL REMINDER-TWO AWARDS FROM PREVENT BLINDNESS: CALL FOR NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

The deadline for applications to the renowned Prevent Blindness awards: Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health and the Rising Visionary Award is February 3^rd. Do not miss the chance to nominate a deserving organization or individual. You can find more information on the Jenny Pomeroy Award here and on the Rising Visionary Award here.

In 2022 VOSH/International was awarded the Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health.

A centennial celebration

SECO (Southern College of Optometry) is celebrating 100 years! Congratulations on reaching this milestone. SECO is offering complimentary registration to their conference for WCO members. VOSH/International is a WCO member. More information on this great opportunity here. Visit or booth at the exhibition and meet our colleagues of VOSH-Southeast there.

WCO and CooperVision invite you to a Myopia Management Webinar

The World Council of Optometry and CooperVision invite you to attend a worldwide virtual event, “Myopia Management: Advancing the Global Standard of Care,” on February 16, 2023. Hear directly from patients, practitioners, and experts on how the three pillars of myopia management—mitigation, measurement, and management—are changing lives. More information and registration here.

Webinar-Dry eye Spotlight 2:Measurement- TOMORROW

The World Council of Optometry and ALCON host this webinar to explore the signs and symptoms of dry eye and how to confirm a diagnosis. The webinar will be led by Professors James Wolffsohn, Jennifer Craig and Lyndon Jones. Register here.

A whole online event on dry eyes

This event is online, February 24- 25, and offers 7 hours of free CE credits plus other courses. You can check the program and register here.

We would love to hear about your chapters' activities. Send us your updates to vosh@vosh.org

VOSH/International | Contact Us | www.vosh.org