September & October Newsletter | Welcome to our September–October double issue. We share highlights and reflections from volunteers attending important national and international meetings. We also celebrate innovative research funded by our small grants, welcome two new chapters, share a video of the recent teaching clinic in Kenya, and bring you more news from across our network. | | |
President Weiss will travel to Antigua and Barbuda to attend the inaugural Global Summit for Eye Health on 2 November. Held alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2026), this high-level meeting aims to secure national commitments and inspire collective action to eliminate avoidable sight loss worldwide.
The Summit is organised by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). The agenda and additional information are available here, and the Summit can be viewed live on 2 November at 10:30 a.m. AST here.
President Weiss will share her reflections and key takeaways from the Summit in the next newsletter.
| | | Chapter impact: advocacy, research and teaching clinics | | VOSH-Sinaloa-Mexico Advocates for Children’s Vision Successfully | |
VOSH-Sinaloa and the Lions Club Culiacan Rosales achieved a significant change in Sinaloa’s public health policy. Their advocacy combined high-quality research on visual health and refractive errors in schoolchildren, regular community outreach to generate evidence, and partnership building.
In early September, the Congress of the State of Sinaloa unanimously approved amendments to the Education and Health Laws aimed at improving the visual health of children throughout the state. The amendments promote multidisciplinary healthcare and provide for regular eye examinations for children in the basic education system each school year. This significant achievement was the result of carefully planned advocacy efforts, the presentation of strong evidence to legislators, and the development of strategic alliances that helped advance these changes.
VOSH/International congratulates Dr Emiliano Teran and his team on this remarkable success and looks forward to sharing the initiative as well as the lessons learned through the process, with the entire VOSH/International family in the near future.
| | |
This accomplishment demonstrates how humanitarian eye care clinics can serve as a catalyst for sustainable change.
For more information, contact Dr Emiliano Teran, President of VOSH-Sinaloa-Mexico at eteran@uas.edu.mx
| | | | |
Innovative Dance-Based Eye Health Education Study from Nigeria Published in an International Journal
Research supported by a VOSH/International small grant has now been published. Dr Ngozi Precious Uwagboe, faculty adviser to the SVOSH-University of Benin chapter in Nigeria, used the grant to study the feasibility and immediate effects of a multimodal, dance-integrated educational video package on eye health knowledge and intentions in Nigeria. The publication follows considerable hard work. Read the paper here.
Heartfelt congratulations to Dr Uwagboe, her students and mentors. Their vision, persistence and teamwork are helping eye health education reach new audiences in innovative ways!
For more information, contact Dr Uwagboe at precious.uwagboe@uniben.edu
| | |
For more information, contact Dr. Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo at akuffokwadwoowusu@knust.edu.gh
| |
Burden, Spectrum and Associated Factors of Ocular Disease Among Incarcerated Populations in sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
The Department of Optometry and Visual Science at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, in collaboration with international partners, recently published an important study examining ocular health among prison populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
This systematic review quantified the prevalence, spectrum and associated factors of ocular morbidity among prisoners across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Drawing on six studies involving 3,361 participants from Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, the review found that many eye conditions affecting prisoners are preventable or treatable. The findings underscore the need for integrated prison eye care services and the importance of standardized research to advance equitable interventions across SSA. Read the article here.
| | |
A Partnership That Continues to Change Lives in Kenya
A humanitarian teaching clinic in Kakamega, northern Kenya, brought together VOSH-Michigan, the SVOSH chapter at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), the Rotary Nairobi Club Utumishi, and Kenya-born National Vision volunteers.
Three US-based NVI volunteers of Kenyan origin worked alongside VOSH volunteers to see schoolchildren and transfer skills and knowledge to the next generation of Kenyan optometrists. Special thanks go to the National Vision 20/20 Quest Foundation for supporting this initiative.
Watch a video about this important work here
| | | A Growing Global Network: Welcome Two New Chapters | | | |
Nigerian Gregory University Uturu Establishes an SVOSH Chapter
VOSH/International is delighted to welcome the Department of Optometry at Gregory University Uturu in Abia state, Nigeria, as its newest SVOSH chapter.
The Univeristy offers the Doctor of Optometry degree since 2019. SVOSH-GUU-Nigeria joins seven other SVOSH chapters in Nigeria.
The faculty adviser is Dr Obialo Osigwe obialo.osigwe@gmail.com svohguu@gmail.com and the President Eken Peaceval Odoemena ekeneodoemena9@gmail.com
| | | |
VOSH Welcomes its First European Chapter
VOSH-Romania-Rotary Unity is our first VOSH chapter in Europe. Established within the Rotary Unity Club, the chapter builds on its volunteers’ previous work with VOSH-Ohio.
It will be able to offer humanitarian vision care to underserved rural and urban communities. The president is Larissa Vlasceanu, who can be contacted at larisa_vlasceanu@yahoo.fr
| | Conference and Network Updates | |
VOSH Volunteers Participate in the South African Optometric Association Conference
At the end of August, the South African Optometric Association (SAOA) hosted its Conference in Durban, bringing together optometrists, educators, students, and industry partners for several days of learning, networking, and professional development.
VOSH volunteers in attendance included Prof. Tuwani Rasengane, Board member and SVOSH-UFS Faculty Adviser; Dr. Marietjie Richter, SVOSH-UJ Faculty Adviser; Dr Tareq Nabham, Board member; and Optometrist Thendo Mashudu, VOSH administrative assistant. We asked Mr. Mashudu to share his reflections on the conference experience.
Read his article and enjoy some pictures from the meeting here.
| | |
VOSH/International Participates in the WHO SPECS 2030 Meeting
VOSH/International is a member of the SPECS 2030 network, which held its hybrid Members’ Meeting in Geneva on September 2 -3. This invitation-only event reviewed progress to date, discussed the new workplan, and identified strategic priorities. VOSH/International was well represented by Prof. Tuwani Rasengane, Board Member and Co-Chair of the SPECS Workforce Workstream; Dr. Ameer Abou Adela, Board Member and founder of VOSH-VOA Lebanon; and Prof. Yazan Gammoh, a member of the SPECS Steering Committee and Faculty Adviser to the SVOSH-AAU Jordan chapter.
Their participation reflects VOSH/International’s ongoing commitment to strengthening eye health systems and workforce development globally.
We are proud to have such respected leaders and experts contributing to the SPECS 2030 initiative.
| | | | |
VOSH-NorthEast goes to Panama
The Northeast VOSH chapter is seeking optometrists, opticians, and optical dispensers to join its upcoming humanitarian mission to Panama from 16-24 January 2027.
Volunteers will work alongside Rotary Club partners in Churuquita, a community located approximately three hours from Panama City. If you are interested in participating, please contact Carl Sakovits,OD at 401-862-9665 or carlsako1@gmail.com
| |
SVOSH-UHCO needs volunteer ODs
The SVOSH chapter at the University of Houston College of Optometry (SVOSH-UHCO) is seeking optometrists to join a four-day humanitarian eye care clinic in Jamaica, taking place between 28 April and 8 May. The team is partnering with the Lions Club of Kingston Mona, Jamaica, to provide much-needed vision care services to local communities.
For more information, please contact SVOSH-UHCO President Emily Hixon at eghixon@cougarnet.uh.edu or Christal Guevara at christalguevara@gmail.com.
| | | | |
Vision for Inclusion: College Accessible for Visually Impaired Students
An article on the challenges visually impaired students face when entering higher education offers a useful reminder of what inclusive education requires. Although US-focused, it raises issues relevant to making education accessible. Robin, a young student of Ms Ruby Harris of Student Research Initiative, suggested the resource. You can read the article here.
| | | | |
