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January 2022 newsletter

We start a new year full of hope. In this issue President Ciszek highlights some of our educational activities and reflects on the importance of education and vision, we congratulate Haiti on its national day and the SVOSH chapter of the month, rejoice with our Brazilian colleagues on the recognition of optometry there, highlight articles on DEI and a publication to manage myopia in children and more.

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President's Insight

We know how important good vision is for learning. President Ciszek presents an overview of our educational activities and its importance in our changing world. Read the whole article here

Did you know?

In January 1972, Dr Franklin Harms and nine Kansas optometrists created Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity as a department of the Kansas Optometric Foundation. Kansas VOSH was the first state association of volunteer optometrists. Bringing the word into focus, Listenberger, 2017

Revised recommendation on the resumption of humanitarian clinics

In January VOSH/International held two consultations with its US VOSH and SVOSH chapters on the timing and feasibility to restart international humanitarian clinics. We thank the chapters that participated and provided their significant insights. We will review the recommendation in April. You can find the most updated recommendation here.

Our Technology Transfer Program work day

Our Technology Transfer Program (TTP) organized a workday on January 15th. With support of VOSH-AZ and students from the SVOSH chapter at Midwestern University the group was able to evaluate and carry out an inventory of the existing equipment at the warehouse. A great day of work that will help TTP start the year with a strong foot. Thank you to all volunteers for your hard work and support with this important activity.

On January 1^st Haiti celebrates its Independence Day. Most blindness in Haiti is curable or preventable but lack of access to good eye health care results in too many people suffering from glaucoma, cataracts and other preventable conditions. VOSH/International is committed to continue supporting Haiti. VOSH-PA has focused its work there since the early 2000s and other VOSH chapters were involved in the early 70s. The students of optometry at the Université d’Etat d’Haïti will be the future providers of eye care and we are happy to support them through its SVOSH chapter: SVOSH-UEH-EO

SVOSH-IUSO is Chapter of the month

This month SVOSH-IUSO and the entire Indiana University School of Optometry hosted their 13th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Vision and Giving. Students, staff, and doctors all teamed up to provide free eye exams and glasses to individuals in need in the Bloomington community. Partnering with The Salvation Army, that assisted in recruiting patients in need and provided funds to cover the cost of glasses. Thirty-seven patients had a positive, completely comprehensive experience. SVOSH-IUSO president -Mariah Lucas says “Seeing our Student VOSH members and so many other volunteers take their day off and turn it into a "day on” to give back to their community was truly inspiring. A special thanks to Kaitlyn Baskerville, SVOSH-IUSO VP who led the organization of the event. This program was initiated in 2009 and, with the exception of 2021 due to the pandemic, we continue to serve our community each year on this special day in honor of Martin Luther King Jr!” Congratulations SVOSH-IUSO!! Apply for SVOSH Chapter of the Month here

Who is your patient?

The January issue of Review of Optometry has published a series of interesting articles on cultural competence, including one on “How to reach out to Hispanics” by our VP, Dr Hector Santiago. You can download the issue here

Practical guide to managing children with myopia

Four experienced ocular health and science professionals from around the world authored this article: "A practical guide to managing children with myopia". Download the article here.

Great victory for Brazilian optometry

After several years of hard work, the Brazilian Council of Optometry and Optics (CBOO for its acronym in Portuguese) won a significant victory with the definitive recognition of optometry and the role of optometrists in this country. Optometry is offered in 12 academic institutions in the country. VOSH/International hopes to collaborate with our Brazilian colleagues in the near future. Parabens-congratulations to our Brazilian colleagues!!! You can read more on the CBOO and their campaign here.

Events for your agendas

WCO has partnered with Cooper Vision to offer a global event entitled “Myopia management: putting it into practice”. The event will be held on February 12^th. You can see more details here and can register here

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) is organising its hybrid conference between 2 and 3rd March in Dubai.

More information is available here.

Watch the space. VOSH/International would be announcing support for chapters interested in attending this event online.

Webinario para Latino America "La nueva tecnología de autorrefracción portátil potenciada por aberrometría de frente de onda" el 24 de febrero a las 17:30 Hora Mexico (6:30PM US EST)

Conozca la ciencia y la ingeniería detras de la nueva autorrefracción manual potenciada por aberrometría de frente de onda y su impacto clínico. Dirigido por el Dr. Lage, Investigador Ramón y Cajal de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, profesor en la Escuela Politécnica Superior, y Cofundador y Director de Tecnología de PlenOptika Inc. Inscribase aqui.