A year full of energy in Ethiopia 

The SVOSH-Gondar team in Ethiopia shares a report about the launch of the Optometry Students Association and their activities. In just one year, they have grown into an active force for eye health awareness, student leadership and community service in Gondar. 

Read more about them here.

VOSH-TX concludes another impactful clinic

The Guerrero Summer Clinic recently wrapped up another amazing week! They saw hundreds of patients with 150 prescription glasses, 232 cataract surgeries and 70 retina procedures. In addition, 104 patients benefitted from dental procedures. 

The VOSH-TX fall clinic will be between October 25 and November 1^st. For more information, contact VOSH-TX President, Dr Amie Gisbert at Amie.Gisbert@yahoo.com

Venezuela looks ahead.

This update offers an insight into the post-earthquake situation in Venezuela. Recovery will be long with the eye health sector getting organised.

You can read the English update here and the Spanish version here.

Dr Bina Patel is recognised as one of the 2026 Theia Award winners.

Dr. Bina Patel is a faculty member and the Director of International Programs at the New England College of Optometry. She has been awarded the 2026 Theia Award in Education. Dr Patel is the faculty adviser of SVOSH-NECO and an incredible inspiration for her students and colleagues.  

She received the 2015 WCO International Optometrist Award and the 2016 VOSH/ International Humanitarian of the Year Award. We congratulate Dr Patel on this deserved recognition. Read more details about the award here. 

SVOSH-MCU-Philippines Celebrates 2026 Leadership Awardee

Jhessa Mharie O. Cortez, received the 2026 Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity Leadership Award by the SVOSH-MCU-Philippines chapter.  Jhessa, the SVOSH-MCU Assistant Secretary (2025–2026) was recognised for her compassion, leadership, and commitment to humanitarian work.  She embodies the spirit of SVOSH through service that helps restore vision, dignity, opportunity, and hope. Read an article about Jessa and this award by her faculty adviser, Dr, Viñola, here.  Congratulations to Jhessa Mharie!

VOSH/International receives the AAO Brien Holden Humanitarian Award.

VOSH/International is the 2026 American Academy of Optometry Brien Holden Humanitarian Award. This recognition reflects the extraordinary work of VOSH volunteers across our 126 chapters, who help bring access to vision care to communities around the world.

We are deeply grateful for this important recognition and for the volunteers, partners and communities who make this work possible.

The award will be presented on Friday, 2 October, during the Academy Meeting in Anaheim, California, USA.

Read the press release here.

The Third Global Optometry Students Summit concludes successfully.

For the third consecutive year, OPTOGLOBE and VOSH/International partnered to deliver the Global Optometry Student Summit (GOSS). Hundreds of optometry students and optometrists from 34 countries attended the event. 

The theme, Global Vision Health 2026: Empowering the next generation through technological integration and infrastructure standards, set the tone for an event designed by students, led by students and centred on the future they are helping create. Read an overview of the event here.

Inspiring the Next Generation: A Research Day That Sparked Possibility

The Center for Eye Care and Public Health Intervention Initiative (CEPHII), in partnership with VOSH/International, hosted its 2026 Research Day in March, 2026. From this event, five outstanding abstracts were selected for presentation at the Nigerian Optometric Association/African Council of Optometry Conference in Abuja. On July 30, these students took the stage at the NOA conference to share their work with leaders in optometry and public health. We congratulate the following students on this achievement. We are proud of you!

Ms Itohan Awekhoe,

Mr Precious Obienu,

Ms Osho Mojetoluwa Grace,

Mr Daniel Ezeifeduba,

Mr Sadiq Omeiza Tijani.