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In this newsletter, President Weiss shares two compelling cases that remind us of the importance of looking beyond clinical care. We bring you updates from our chapters’ humanitarian and research work, showcase inspiring publications and events, celebrate volunteer recognitions, and mark the first anniversary of a dynamic African SVOSH chapter.
There’s commitment, innovation, and a shared sense of purpose in every story.
Share this newsletter widely—and help us help others!
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On the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, President Weiss emphasizes the importance of acceptance, inclusion, and learning beyond the boundaries of optometry to deliver the highest standard of patient care.
Read the article in English here, and the Spanish version here.
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SVOSH-FUTO marks its first anniversary.
The SVOSH chapter at the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria (SVOSH-FUTO) marked its First Anniversary on August 22nd, 2025. To commemorate this milestone, they organized awareness-raising seminars and a two-day humanitarian clinic serving close to 1,000 patients. A great effort from a very active SVOSH chapter. Read the full article, including two videos showcasing the activities and find this chapter's contact details here.
Join us in congratulating Dr Daniel-Nwosu and the SVOSH-FUTO student leadership.
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VOSH-TX clinic in Guerrero, Mexico
VOSH-TX completed another successful clinic in Guerrero, providing 800 eye exams, referring 322 patients for surgery and dispensing 314 prescription glasses. Great work!
Their next clinic is scheduled for March 24-29, 2026. If you want to know more about the work of this chapter, check www.guerreroclinic.org
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SVOSH-ANNU supports Palestinian orphaned children
The SVOSH chapter at An-Najah National University in Palestine (SVOSH-ANNU) organized a three-day vision screening campaign at a local school for orphaned children from first grade through high school.
An impactful activity demonstrating their commitment to humanitarian service and ensuring access to vision care for all.
Read the whole article and this chapter's contact details here.
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VOSH-Sonora mobilizes partners to support Navojoa residents
VOSH-Sonora in northern Mexico organized a two-day clinic involving the optometry students of SVOSH-Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa and of the Universidad Durango Santander-Hermosillo and in partnership with the Rotary Club Pitic and the Navojoa municipality.
This collaboration reached 1000 patients who received glasses and referrals for surgery. You can read the article and this chapter's contact details here.
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SVOSH-UNIBEN showcases innovative eye health research in Ghana
Dr. Ngozi Precious Uwagboe, Faculty Advisor for SVOSH University of Benin (SVOSH-UNIBEN), presented her groundbreaking research, “Dance-Based Videos for Eye Health in Nigeria.” at the recent Ghana Optometric Association Conference. Supported by a small VOSH/International research grant, the study will be published soon.
You can read the article and Dr Uwagboe's contact details here.
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SVOSH-IAUPR serves the inhabitants of local island Culebra.
Eight students from the SVOSH Inter-American University of Puerto Rico (SVOSH-IAUPR) chapter, along with seven professors supported an OSELF clinic on the island municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico and served 320 patients.
Read the whole article in English here and in Spanish here.
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Help Us Give the Gift of Sight
With thousands of volunteers across 122 chapters in 33 countries, we transform lives every day. Your support ensures we can continue providing vision care to those in need and strengthen the local optometric workforce worldwide.
Donate today and be part of this movement of hope. Thank you!
| | | Dr Howard McAlister was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Vision Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA) at its recent meeting in November 5 in Washington, DC. Dr McAlister is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri, St Louis, a former VOSH/International Board member and current co-chair of the SVOSH Chapter Relations Committee. Congratulations Howard! | |  | Dr. Hector Santiago has been recognized as one of ten industry leaders transforming opticianry and optometry by the Eyecare Business Game Changer initiative. Dr. Santiago is the Immediate Past President of VOSH/International and Director of Research at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Learn more about this year’s awardees here. Congratulations, Hector!” | | | If your professional or humanitarian work has been recognized, we’d love to hear from you so we can celebrate your achievements. Write to vosh@vosh.org | |
Optoglobe launches the ETF initiative
OPTOGLOBE -the Global Optometry Student Community- has officially launched its Equipping the Future (ETF) program during the Nigerian Optometry Students Association National Conference. This initiative is designed to empower optometry students by improving access to essential instruments and fostering collaboration across the profession.
Congratulations to the OPTOGLOBE student leadership on reaching this important milestone! You can read the article here.
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Africademics and AFOS graduate 35 Scholarship Ambassadors
A collaboration between Africademics—a scholarship platform for students, early-career researchers, and young scholars from Africa—and the African Federation of Optometry Students (AFOS) has led to the graduation of 35 Scholarship Ambassadors after completing a 10-week digital training course. These ambassadors will mentor fellow students and graduates on how to identify opportunities and prepare successful scholarship applications.
Peer-to-peer mentoring is proving to be a powerful strategy for collaboration and success! Follow Africademics!
| | | Publications and Resources | | | |
Ocular Injuries and Intimate Partner Violence: A Review of the Literature
November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a leading global cause of death and disability. This paper examines the prevalence and clinical presentation of ocular injuries in IPV cases. Download the paper here to learn more.
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Study on handheld refractive technologies and country guidance
Commissioned by ATscale, this multi-country study assessed the clinical effectiveness of autorefractor technologies across Ethiopia, Nepal, and Nigeria. Conducted by IQVIA in collaboration with the LV Prasad Eye Institute, the research compared handheld autorefractors with conventional refraction methods, evaluated prescription accuracy, and explored the feasibility of integrating these technologies into public health systems in low-resource settings.
You can find the report and country guidance here.
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Webinar on Prematurity and Vision
On November 12, ASOSAVIN -the Colombian Association of Optometrists for Children’s Vision- hosted an engaging webinar on prematurity to commemorate World Prematurity Day.
The session offered a comprehensive and compassionate perspective on the topic.
Watch the webinar here and enable subtitles in your preferred language.
Se puede acceder al webinar en este vinculo.
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Optometric education in an AI world- NECO’s Industry Collaborative
Early November, the New England College of Optometry (NECO) organised its fifth annual Industry Collaborative, examining how technology, innovation, and collaboration are reshaping the future of optometric education and patient care. More than 100 leaders from 48 education, health care, and industry organisations attended the event. The sessions explored the intersection of AI and clinical decision-making, the role of partnerships between academia and industry, and new models for integrating innovation into optometric curricula. A very interesting event that can be watched here
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