VOSH/International at the inaugural WHO SPECS meeting

VOSH/International President, Dr Santiago, participated in the launch of the WHO SPECS 2030 initiative and the inaugural meeting of the Global SPECS network in Geneva, Switzerland between 14 and 15 May. 

Read a short article on this meeting here.

COPE course: What is so special about specialty contact lenses?

You are warmly invited to earn 1 COPE credit and learn about different specialty contact lens designs, discussing the pros and cons of each lens design through case reports. Dr Deepa Chandrasekaran, an OD at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute and a VOSH Ambassador will present this course. 

The course will take place on June 3^rd at 7:00 pm US Central Time. Register here and download the flyer here.

SVOSH-UDELAS serves indigenous community in Panama

Between April 7 and 12, SVOSH-UDELAS at the Universidad Especializada de las Americas in Panama organized a humanitarian clinic for the Narganá community in Guna Yala as part of the project Vision and Integrated Health in schools and communities in collaboration with VOSH/International, OneSight EssilorLuxxotica Foundation and FUNDAMERICAS Foundation. Dr Nadiuska Platero, faculty adviser of SVOSH-UDELAS, led a team of 4 students of nursing and 25 students of optometry, to serve 1,035 patients among children and adults. Besides eye exams all patients had their blood pressure, height, and weight measured. More details will be shared soon. You can contact Dr. Platero at nadiuska.platero.2395@udelas.ac.pa

Inspiring words

Dr Tracy Matchinski, Past President of VOSH/International gave the commencement speech at the recent Illinois College of Optometry graduation. Dr Matchinski's inspiring words outlined three areas of advice to the new graduates: advocate for the profession, champion health equity and eye health literacy, and volunteer when and how you can. Dr Matchinski’s speech begins at minute 34 in this YouTube video. Watch it and be inspired!

SVOSH-MCU-Philippines organizes another successful Eye Volunteer Mini Conference

On May 27, SVOSH-Manila Central University I the Philippines organized another successful Eye Volunteer Mini Conference, “Awakening the volunteer’s heart in us”. This year the program included presentations from Dr Jairo Mercado, SVOSH-UNAN-Nicaragua, Megan Webber, co-founder of Know the Glow and results of five research initiatives carried out by MCU students. What a wonderful way of motivating young optometrists to engage in public health research and support their communities. A big thank you to the faculty adviser, Dr Jennifer Viñola, and her wonderful team of students and colleagues who made this mini-conference a success. You can contact Dr. Viñola at drjennvinola@yahoo.com

SVOSH-IAUPR offers Vision Screening Services at the Kidney Foundation Health Fair in Puerto Rico 

The SVOSH chapter at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry (SVOSH-IAUPR), along with other student organizations, held a vision screening at the pier of the Cataño municipality on April 28^th. Dr. Héctor Santiago, President of VOSH/International, supervised the clinical activity. Many participants were diabetic or hypertensive, diseases which affect the eye. Therefore, the participants were counseled on regular eye examinations to prevent the ocular consequences of these diseases. The participants who failed the screening were referred to the IAUPR School of Optometry clinic for a comprehensive exam. The Mayor of the City, Julio Alicea Vassallo, participated in the activity and thanked the SVOSH volunteers for their commitment to the visual health of the citizens of his city. The SVOSH-IAUPR President is Yarelis Martinez and can be contacted at R00576512@optonet.inter.edu

VOSH-Santa Cruz is looking for US students of optometry

Quebec-based VOSH-Santa Cruz is looking for US students of optometry to join them in their humanitarian clinic in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico between November 20/21 to December 1^st. Interested US students please contact Father Pierre Labine at pierre.labine@sympatico.ca

Take action for US children’s eyes

On May 14, the Early Detection of Visual Impairments in Children (EDVI) Act of 2024 was introduced. This US bipartisan legislation seeks to create the first federal public health program to address children’s vision and eye health through grant-based funding and technical assistance for US states and communities. This Act must be enacted by the US Congress and Prevent Blindness is leading an action to make this a reality. More information on the EDVI Act is available here and for the US chapters that want to support this action you can do it here.

ASCO Webinar Online Clinical Educators Forum

A collaboration of three SIGS of ASCO, this webinar will emphasize clinical assessment. Dr Shehzad Naroo from Aston University, United Kingdom will be an invited speaker.

This webinar may be of particular interest to SVOSH Faculty Advisers. Register here.

Prevent Blindness 2024 Focus on Eye Health Summit

On July 10-11, 2024, Prevent Blindness will host the 13th Focus on Eye Health Summit. This year’s theme is “Being Seen and Heard” to emphasize the importance of a person-centered approach to vision health interventions, research, communications, and care. This is a free online event that attracts a significant diversity of stakeholders. Check the program and register here. This is a great event!

WCO CooperVision® Myopia Management Navigator

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) in partnership with CooperVision, a global leader in myopia management, launched an interactive and educational resource for eye care practitioners worldwide to help advance myopia management as a standard of care. View the navigator here.

Conferencia en español “Afrontando las epidemias de nuestro tiempo: miopía, obesidad, hipertensión y diabetes”

El Club de Leones de Sinaloa invita a la conferencia del Dr. Héctor Santiago vía Zoom que se llevará a cabo el 12 de junio a las 7:00 pm hora Colombia/8:00 pm Ciudad de México. El ID de la reunión Zoom es 883 4037 5651. El código de acceso: 929933

Celebrating Myopia Awareness Week

The Journal of Clinical Medicine just published an article on “Refractive errors of school children from economically disadvantaged areas in northwest Mexico” as part of a special issue Advanced Research in Myopia and Other Visual Disorders. This study evaluated 2422 children aged 6 to 18 years from schools in Northwest Mexico.  The Refractive Error Study in Children (RESC) protocol by the World Health Organization was used to examine the prevalence of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Trained optometrists conducted visual acuity testing and autorefraction, while ophthalmologists performed cycloplegic refraction to ensure accuracy. You can download the article here.  

Reflexions on Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

During Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month, we feature an article published by Women in Optometry with views of six female ODs of AAPI heritage about their life and professional experiences. Women in Optometry offers plenty of interesting resources. Check the article here