Welcome to the SVOSH-UDMSO chapter at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Optometry, US

This optometry school may be young, but it has ambitious plans for the future. With former SVOSH members on its faculty and a strong VOSH chapter in Michigan to support it, we are confident this new SVOSH chapter will make a meaningful impact.

A warm welcome to VOSH/International!

The President is Fatema Almoussawi almousfs@udmercy.edu

SVOSH‑UNIBEN-Nigeria Unveils New Leadership Team and Highlights a Year of Impact

One of the most active SVOSH chapters, SVOSH-UNIBEN, recently changed leadership. We thank the departing leaders wishing them success. 

Special words of thanks to Chinelo Ikeli, now Immediate Past President, who completed her degree and left a legacy of creativity and achievement. We extend a warm welcome to the new Executive Council. Do not miss reading their activities report 2024-2025 here.

SVOSH-KNUST-Ghana Celebrate Low Vision Awareness Month

SVOSH‑KNUST created a video highlighting the importance of low vision and marking Low Vision Awareness Month. The new SVOSH-KNUST President is Constance Boahemaa Appiah, appiahboahemaaconstance@gmail.com

You can watch the video here

Low Vision Ghanaian Leadership in West Africa

In Ghana, significant progress is being made in expanding low vision capacities and services. The HM KNUST Low Vision Project has established four low vision centres staffed by practitioners providing essential care for people with visual impairment. These centres also serve as training platforms for students and practitioners, strengthening low vision expertise nationwide. The West African Low Vision Workshop 2026 will further promote collaboration and accelerate progress across the region. Read more about this important initiative here. For more information contact Dr Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo at akuffokwadwoowusu@knust.edu.gh

Rare Diseases and Ocular Health

VOSH-ASOSAVIN-Colombia organised an engaging webinar on the impact of rare diseases on ocular health. Bringing experts from different Colombian optometric associations, the online event was very insightful.  The recordings in Spanish are available on ASOSAVIN’s YouTube page.

For more information, please contact Dr Adriana Sanchez, Secretary ASOSAVIN at asosavin@gmail.com

Building bridges with Rwanda

Dr. J.M. Cadet, faculty adviser of the SVOSH-UEH-FMPEO chapter in Haiti, recently visited Rwanda. As Vice President of the Board of Directors of Zanmi Lasante,

Dr Cadet attended the graduation ceremony and participated in the 10^th anniversary of the University of Global Health Equity in Butaro, Rwanda. Strategic discussions and connections were made during this visit. Attendees remembered Paul Farmer, founder of Partners in Health and his legacy. Dr Cadet made many connections in benefit of Haitian eye health.

Low Vision Resources

Low Vision Awareness Month is coming to an end. Check these resources:

• Evaluation of patients with visual impairment by Dr. Tracy Matchinski

• Low vision rehabilitation in the Middle East, by Dr. Yazan Gammoh

• Low Vision Innovations and Simple Tips for All Contexts, by Dr. Tracy Matchinski

• and you can follow the KNUST West African Low Vision Workshop 2026 on their YouTube channel.

NOSA partners with the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Youth Development

The Nigerian Optometric Students Association (NOSA) partnered with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to host a two‑day event, Seeing the Future: Advancing Eye Health for Youth Development in Nigeria. The young leaders convened an impressive group of speakers from government, optometry associations, non‑profits, and local experts. VOSH/International was pleased to support the initiative and, through a mentorship grant, made it possible for Prof. Tuwani Rasengane, African lead of our Board of Directors, to participate in this high‑level meeting.

Following the high-level event, an outreach clinic is planned for February 28th to serve the local community.

We are encouraged to see youth leadership advocate for children and young people's vision and expect significant outcomes from this initiative.

AFOS RESEARCH DAY 2026

The African Federation of Optometry Students (AFOS), in collaboration with the Nigerian Optometric Students Association (NOSA) is once again running this important mentoring process to support newly graduated optometry students and interns to showcase their research, sharpen their academic contribution, and become leaders. 

This year, VOSH/International will support this process.  We look forward to the results.