New Executive Director – Donna Mikulecky

New Executive Director Donna MikuleckyOptometry Giving Sight (OGS) is pleased to announce that Donna J. Mikulecky, CPA, has accepted the organization’s Executive Director position. She replaces retiring Executive Director Lois Schoenbrun, FAAO, who has served in the role since April 2022.

Mikulecky has more than 25 years of experience leading healthcare organizations, most recently as Chief Operating Officer of Vision Source. Until her appointment as Executive Director, she served as Treasurer of OGS’s U.S. and Canada Boards of Directors.

“I’ve had the pleasure of serving with Donna for the last several years,” says U.S. Board Chair, Dr. Juan Carlos Aragón. “As a board member, she has been committed to our mission and a very valued colleague. I look forward to working with her in her new role.”

“She has the skills and experience to lead us forward,” adds Canada Board Chair Dr. Susan Cooper. “With Donna’s passion, business acumen, and industry knowledge, OGS will continue to invest in the international development of optometry to provide sustainable primary vision care to those in need.”

As “Optometry’s Charity™,” OGS raises funds from optometrists, optometry practices, and optometry-related businesses and corporations to award grants for sustainable, impactful projects that expand the profession and improve access to vision care in underserved areas of the world. During the last 20 years, OGS has: awarded more than 180 grants for primary eye care services for more than 8 million people; funded the training of more than 14,000 optometrists and eye care personnel; established more than 130 vision centers in underserved areas; and served individuals of all ages in more than 40 countries.

Une première cohorte pour l’École d’optométrie d’Haïti

En 2013, Optometry Giving Sight, l’Université de Montréal, l’ Université d’État d’Haïti et la Brien Holden Foundation ont constitué un consortium qui a commencé à travailler à la mise en place d’une école d’optométrie à l’université. Malgré la grande instabilité politique et de nombreux défis, l’école continue de former des étudiants dans le but de renforcer la profession d’optométriste dans le pays. À l’heure actuelle, il n’y a que trois optométristes en exercice dans ce pays de 11 millions de personnes. Cet article est réimprimé avec l’autorisation de l’Université de Montréal.

A first cohort of graduates from Haiti's School of Optometry

L’Université de Montréal est le chef de file du consortium international* ayant soutenu la mise en place de l’École d’optométrie de l’Université d’État d’Haïti. Contre vents et marées, cette école voit émerger sa première cohorte d’étudiantes et d’étudiants. Parmi eux, Jonathan Simon et Anne-Christy Orcel seront prochainement appelés à y enseigner.

En préparation à leur entrée en poste, ces deux finissants effectuent actuellement un stage de trois mois à l’École d’optométrie de l’UdeM. Ils y approfondissent leurs connaissances pratiques et théoriques tout en s’initiant à la pédagogie et à l’optométrie québécoise.

«On souhaite qu’ils puissent témoigner du potentiel de la profession et contribuer à le réaliser dans leur pays, en plus d’acquérir de l’expérience en gestion universitaire et clinique et de se familiariser avec le travail communautaire», indique Luigi Bilotto, conseiller à l’échelle internationale en santé oculaire, chargé de clinique à l’École d’optométrie de l’UdeM et instigateur du projet.

Pour mener à terme ce stage de formation, Jonathan Simon et Anne-Christy Orcel bénéficient d’une bourse canadienne du jubilé de diamant de la reine Élizabeth II, administrée par l’Unité de santé internationale (USI) de l’Université. Ce programme vise la mobilité étudiante entre le Canada et des pays des Caraïbes pour former des leaders dans les professions et la recherche en santé publique.

«Après des difficultés ayant retardé à deux reprises leur arrivée à Montréal, je suis vraiment fière de les avoir parmi nous aujourd’hui et de prendre part au processus de formation du corps enseignant local. Cela favorisera la pérennisation de ce programme», dit Caroline Auguste, coordonnatrice du projet à l’USI.

 

Une longue petite histoire

Amorcé en 2013, le projet de création de l’École d’optométrie de l’Université d’État d’Haïti – la seconde école d’optométrie francophone dans le monde, après celle de l’UdeM – vise à lutter contre la cécité et la déficience visuelle dans les cas où elles sont évitables.

Dans ce pays de 11 millions d’habitants, seuls 3 optométristes et moins de 50 ophtalmologistes sont en exercice. En outre, ces professionnels sont principalement basés dans la capitale, ce qui rend les services peu accessibles à la population des régions plus éloignées, en général économiquement défavorisée.

Dans ce contexte, les partenaires du consortium mené par l’UdeM tablent sur la formation d’une main-d’œuvre locale pour améliorer les soins oculaires, puisqu’elle est pratiquement inexistante dans ce pays.

Or, Haïti, le pays le plus pauvre des Amériques, s’enlise depuis des années dans de graves crises politiques, économiques, sanitaires et sécuritaires qui ont alimenté une violence et une paralysie croissantes. L’initiative a donc été retardée par diverses situations majeures comme le tremblement de terre de 2010, qui a endommagé les bâtiments convoités, la pandémie de COVID-19, l’assassinat de l’ancien président Jovenel Moïse et la vacance du pouvoir qui a permis aux gangs de prendre de l’ampleur.

«Nous n’avons pas pu envoyer d’optométristes ni de techniciens pour mettre en place la clinique et les équipements nécessaires à la formation des étudiants, souligne Luigi Bilotto. Nous avons dû, de plus, donner la formation à distance avec des professeures externes engagées par la Brien Holden Foundation et alors que la connexion à Internet était difficile et inégale. Malgré tout ça, nous avons une première cohorte et nous sommes parvenus à faire venir ici deux stagiaires. C’est une énorme réalisation!»

 

Des étudiants qui ont leur pays à cœur

Jonathan Simon et Anne-Christy Orcel se perfectionnent présentement aux côtés des membres de l’École d’optométrie de l’Université de Montréal. Accueillis à bras ouverts, les deux diplômés sont ravis de pouvoir peaufiner leur formation en sol montréalais. Ils découvrent notamment le volet pratique du métier d’optométriste – la clinique en Haïti n’ayant jamais pu être opérationnelle en raison de l’instabilité sociopolitique –, mais aussi une vision plus globale de la santé visuelle.

Ils se disent surtout très enthousiastes à la perspective de rentrer chez eux pour mettre en pratique leurs nouveaux savoirs et ainsi redonner à leur communauté. «Les soins oculovisuels ne sont pas une priorité pour l’État en Haïti, alors que la demande de soins de base est criante. J’ai hâte de pouvoir apporter mon aide aux personnes démunies. Je profite donc de mon séjour pour acquérir le plus de connaissances théoriques et pratiques possible afin de mieux servir mon pays», soutient Jonathan Simon.

Anne-Christy Orcel ajoute que ses nouveaux acquis sur les troubles de la réfraction, comme la myopie, seront très utiles en Haïti, où les problèmes de vision sont répandus, mais non pris en charge. «Être en mesure de ne rien négliger afin de fournir une prescription de façon optimale pour une erreur de réfraction normale, juste ramener ça en Haïti, c’est assez conséquent», estime la diplômée.

 

* L’Université de Montréal, par l’entremise de l’École d’optométrie et de l’Unité de santé internationale, est le chef de file du consortium constitué de l’Université d’État d’Haïti, de la Brien Holden Foundation et d’Optometry Giving Sight, cette dernière organisation étant le principal bailleur de fonds du projet.

Lois Schoenbrun to Retire as OGS Executive Director

Nationwide Search Underway for Successor

Photo of Lois Schoenbrun - Interim Executive Director of Optometry Giving SightJuly 19, 2024 – Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced that Executive Director Lois Schoenbrun, CAE (Retired), FAAO, will retire from the organization in December 2024. Previously the Executive Director of the American Academy of Optometry, she came out of retirement in that role to serve as interim executive director for OGS in April 2022.

“Although the initial interim period was intended to be short,” Schoenbrun says, “I believed so passionately in the mission and quickly saw what a tremendous difference OGS makes in lives of people all over the world. So, the ‘interim’ appointment turned into nearly two and a half years. And I have enjoyed every minute of it.”

“When Lois joined OGS, we knew that we were getting a seasoned, successful leader from the optometry community,” says OGS U.S. board chair, Juan Carlos Aragón, OD. “We are very appreciative of all that she and her team have accomplished, particularly in such a short period of time.”

The chair of the organization’s Canada board, Susan Cooper, OD, agrees. “Under Lois’s leadership,” she says, “we’ve strengthened the financial future of OGS, revised our vision and mission statement language to better align with the World Health Organization, and created additional staff positions to bring much-needed expertise in-house.”

“During Lois’s time here,” Aragón adds, “OGS earned a 4-star designation from the non-profit assessment firm Charity Navigator. It’s the highest rating possible for a non-profit, and a first for the organization, indicating that a donor can have faith in the organizations’ governance practices and financial health, including transparency, efficiency and sustainability.

“Lois has in so many ways positioned OGS for continued success and growth,” he says. “We wish her the best in her retirement and look forward to a very bright future for OGS.”

A nationwide search is underway for Schoenbrun’s replacement. Information regarding the position can be found here.

Executive Director Position Search

OGS is highlighting an opportunity to join our team as the Executive Director.

About Optometry Giving Sight:

Optometry Giving Sight supports sustainable and scalable optometry-led programs that educate eye care providers locally and enables the establishment and delivery of vision care and eye health to all.

 

Position Title: Executive Director
Reports To:
Board of Directors
Location:
Flexible, Remote
FLSA Status (US):
Exempt
Time:
Full time
Travel Required:
Approximately 30%

 

Position Summary

The Executive Director is the senior staff officer. Leading the work with volunteer Board members and professional staff, they are responsible for the strategic direction and management of all aspects of the organization, both in the US and Canada, to enhance the organization’s image and reputation and promote the mission of funding projects and programs that grow optometry globally to solve the problem of uncorrected refractive error.

The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors* and reports to the Board primarily through the Co-Chairs. The Executive Director provides fiscal and personnel management, thought leadership, and effective relationships with donors and stakeholders, and represents the organization to external audiences. The Executive Director has the authority and responsibility to hire, fire, discipline, and assign work to all staff.

The Executive Director maintains a high level of knowledge of and extensive experience in managing not-for-profit organizations. In-depth understanding and/or knowledge of optometry or global public health issues is valuable.

All functions performed by the Executive Director are carried out within parameters established by the Board of Directors, bylaws, strategic plan, annual budget, and other policies established by the Board of Directors.

*Board of Directors as used in this document refers to the overlapping Boards of Directors of Optometry Giving Sight Canada and Optometry Giving Sight US. Organization refers to the combined operation of the US and Canada offices and staff.

 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Strategic Direction and Leadership

  • Works with the board and staff to develop and maintain a clear vision, defined purpose, and core values for the organization and translates the organization’s mission and vision into realistic strategies.
  • Achieves short- and long-term objectives and goals as set by the Board of Directors and identified as priorities within the strategic and annual development, communications, and management plans.

2. Management

  • Selects and directs staff and facilitates relationships and culture to build a strong and effective team to support the achievement of the goals of the organization.
  • Manages, supports, and coaches staff.
  • Recommends new programs or the discontinuation of current programs, as appropriate, to the board.
  • Develops and proposes policies and systems to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization.
  • Oversees implementation of programs and initiatives in alignment with the Board and strategic plan.
  • Ensures ongoing measurement of deliverables for projects and initiatives.
  • Ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in all countries and in all states, provinces, and other geographic entities where the organization operates and/or staff reside.
  • Ensures and facilitates Annual General Meeting (AGM) per Canada non-profit law.

3. Executive Director/Board Partnership

  • Develops and nurtures a strong and effective working relationship and communication process with the board.
  • Acts as a broker of ideas to facilitate dialogue among board members to shape the future of the organization.
  • Raises issues and provides information on strategic and operational matters requiring attention by the board.
  • Serves as a source of institutional history, knowledge and guidance regarding nonprofit management practices and principles.
  • Cultivates an atmosphere that encourages and promotes successful collaboration between volunteer leaders and staff.

4. Financial Management and Development

  • Working with the Board Treasurer, establishes and maintains an effective system to ensure efficient and sound operations through prudent financial management.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the financial resources and expenditures needed to realize the strategic plan.
  • Works closely with investment advisors to implement investment policies in order to maximize the financial position of the organization in both the US and Canada, while minimizing risk.
  • Guides and oversees fund-raising and development plans to ensure adequate income.
  • Ensures financial reports are presented to the board on a regular basis.
  • Ensures annual audits are conducted by skilled and experienced auditors following Generally Accepted Auditing Principles (GAAP) (US) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) (Canada).

5. External Relationships

  • Cultivates results-oriented relationships with external stakeholders, organizations, and agencies with compatible missions; policymakers; and corporate, practice, and individual donors.
  • Serves as a spokesperson for the organization, demonstrating tangible results and earning the respect of professional peers, enhancing the image of global optometry and OGS.
  • Serves as a primary point of communication between OGS and the media.

6. Grant and Project Funding

  • With Board and key staff, develop and implement processes to solicit applications for funding.
  • Evaluate grant applications and make recommendations to the Board.
  • Work with staff to define parameters for and frequency of project reports; evaluate those reports.
  • Communicate with program staff of grantee organizations as well as individuals globally who seek funds for eye and vision care services.

7. Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Skills, Experience, Education & Competencies

  • Seasoned professional with at least 15 years of senior leadership experience in non-profit, association, and/or other mission-driven organizations, or similar experience including five years in CEO role
  • Positive experience working with a volunteer non-profit board of directors
  • Ability to travel up to 30% of time
  • Strong financial acumen, including budgeting and fiscal management of similar-size or larger organization
  • High degree of organizational, analytical, and project management skills
  • Creative and collaborative approach in managing and problem-solving
  • Demonstrated tact and diplomacy in difficult or sensitive situations and ability to perform under pressure
  • Global cultural awareness and experience
  • Superior interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, including the poise, presence, and judgment to work effectively with the Board of Directors, staff, and media in an appropriate and effective manner
  • Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and strategic direction while developing trust and strong collaborative working relationships
  • Ability to show results while demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct
  • Familiarity with and passion for the community being served as well as eye and vision care or global public health a plus
  • Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree preferred
  • Bilingual French/English or Spanish/English preferred

 

For questions about joining the OGS team and to submit your resume, please email OGSSearch@givingsight.org

TEAM OGS Now Available for Optometry Practices

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has launched a new program to provide optometry practices with ways to support OGS’s work on a year-round basis by integrating fundraising activities into their everyday business operations. The initiative is called TEAM OGSTogether Eyecare Achieves Miracles – and is available to all optometry practitioners in the United States and Canada.

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to end preventable blindness and vision impairment globally. As “Optometry’s Charity,™” OGS raises funds from optometrists, optometry practices, and optometry-related businesses and corporations to award grants for sustainable, impactful projects that expand the profession and improve access to vision care in underserved areas of the world.

“Since the inception of OGS, the optometry community has generously supported our work, particularly through our annual World Sight Day Challenge, which began in 2007,” says OGS Executive Director Lois Schoenbrun, CAE (Ret.), FAAO.

“The World Sight Day Challenge is, historically, our largest fundraising activity. But it runs only two months out of the year, explains Schoenbrun. “Optometry practices began asking us for ways to raise funds throughout the year as well. So, TEAM OGS was born.”

“Optometrists and optometry practices are very generous and compassionate,” she adds. “Most practices are quite involved in their local communities, whether they have formal corporate social responsibility programs in place or not. Their support of OGS – and participation in TEAM OGS – demonstrate their concern for people throughout the world who have little to no access to vision care.”

Through TEAM OGS, practices can select from a variety of ways to raise funds for OGS through the normal course of doing business. Options include: donating a day of eye exam fees each month; choosing to give a percentage of eyeglass frames or products sold; promoting vision care rebate and reward programs that benefit OGS; or engaging their patients in ways to give. There is no cost to join TEAM OGS, and all materials for the program are provided at no charge.

According to Schoenbrun, one of the primary considerations for selecting which fundraising activities to include in TEAM OGS was how easy it would be for optometry professionals to participate. “We know how busy optometrists and their staffs are,” she says, “and we wanted to make it easy for them to participate in TEAM OGS, so their focus can remain on caring for patients every day.”

Click here to find out more.

CooperVision Raises More Than $300,000 in Support of OGS’s 2023 World Sight Day Challenge

CooperVision logo

– CooperVision’s Cumulative Donation Now Approaches $5 Million –

As part of its commitment to improve the way people see every day, CooperVision raised more than $300,000 in 2023 through global initiatives in support of Optometry Giving Sight (OGS). OGS helps communities without access to eye care by training Eye Care Practitioners; establishing optometry schools, vision centers, and optical labs; delivering eye exams and low/no-cost eyeglasses. Since 2008, CooperVision has helped OGS raise more than $4.9 million dollars to support their critical mission.

Again this year, CooperVision offered its customers in the U.S. and Canada an opportunity to redirect their product rebates to OGS’ annual fundraising campaign. With facilitation by CooperVision, rebate donations accounted for $188,265 of the initiative’s total, while CooperVision’s World Sight Day Challenge raised an additional $118,192 from employees globally.

“Almost everyone in the world has or will need vision correction in their lifetime, yet more than a billion people worldwide do not have access to basic eye care,” 1 2 said Simon Seshadri, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing & Life Cycle Management. “Whether it’s through donating time, scientific and clinical expertise, supporting ECPs grow their practices, or financial contributions, it is our duty as an ongoing Global Partner to OGS to do our part to help people in need reach their full potential through the gift of sight.”

In 2023, CooperVision participated in OGS’ annual rundraising campaign through a series of regional and global initiatives. These events included a photo contest, guest speaker events, luncheons, a pop-up ice cream stand, homemade waffle sale, and others, such as:

  • Strikes for Sight. Keeping with a long-standing tradition to raise money and awareness for the cause, CooperVision’s Research & Development team based in Pleasanton, Calif., hosted a “Strikes for Sight” bowling event, during which employees pledged to make donations per strike. Ultimately, 102 strikes were bowled in the two-hour period, with each employee donating between $25.50 and $102.
  • Cake Sale and Fun Run. Fundraising in Liege, Belgium, included a local “fun run” and cake sale for employees. Both efforts were successful, building camaraderie in tandem with needed funding for OGS.
  • Charity Miles. Encouraging employee wellness while raising funds for OGS, CooperVision leveraged the Charity Miles fitness app, resulting in $10,589 from participants who walked, ran, or biked by participants during the campaign. Steps were financially sponsored by donors as well as CooperVision.
  • Vision Screenings. CooperVision organized free vision screenings around the world that not only built awareness around the importance of healthy eye care habits, but also served as an opportunity to raise funds to help support OGS efforts in other parts of the world.

“At the heart of our organization is a steadfast commitment to improving vision worldwide,” said Daniel McBride, Esq., Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at CooperCompanies and Board Member of Optometry Giving Sight. “We remain strong supporters of Optometry Giving Sight and their mission to build sustainable optometry infrastructure in underserved communities around the world to enable vision care for all.”

To learn more about the World Sight Day Challenge and how you can participate, visit givingsight.org/wsdc/

 

1 World Health Organization (WHO). World Report on Vision. October 2019.
2 The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. 2039 In Sight. Accessed February 5, 2024.

2023 Projects Supported

Jamaican children and Bangladesh eye examWith the Generous Support of our Donors in 2023:

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) awarded the following 2023 grants totaling more than $930,000 to partner organizations in support of self-sustaining initiatives that address preventable vision impairment and blindness for people of all ages around the world. This life-changing work would not be possible without your support.

Over the last 20 years, OGS has

  • Awarded more than 180 grants for primary eye care services to more than 8 million people
  • Funded the training of more than 14,000 optometrists and eye care personnel
  • Established more than 130 vision centers in underserved areas of the world
  • Served individuals of all ages in more than 40 countries

 

2023 Grants

 

Mobile Technology to Improve Pediatric Vision Care Worldwide
App Standardizes Care and Collects Vital Data

Grantee: Berkeley Vision, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science

The grant awarded to Berkeley Vision will result in the development of a powerful smartphone/tablet app which will enable standardized processes and data acquisition for vision screening and eye care for children from ages four to 10. The app will enable all children to be screened in a relatively automated way, with the assistance of minimally trained personnel. It will also provide a standardized approach to prescribing, referral and follow-up care, and will record data for analysis, quality assurance and monitoring compliance.

When completed, the app will be implemented initially at The African Eye Institute and the India Vision Institute. It will ultimately be made freely available to children’s vision programs worldwide. An ongoing and sustainable initiative, the project is estimated to eventually benefit 500,000 young people globally.

 

Expanding Optometry Training in Vietnam
New equipment and Clinical Space Will Result in 2,000 Patients Served Monthly

Grantee: Brien Holden Vision Foundation

Optometry Giving Sight continues to support a five-year initiative by the Brien Holden Foundation (BHF) to increase the number of credentialed Vietnamese optometrists to serve the country’s estimated seven to 10 million individuals whose poor vision significantly impacts their quality of life. (In 2014, there were only three optometrists – all trained outside of Vietnam – to serve the country’s population at that time of 93 million.)

Since that time, BHF, OGS and other partners have supported the establishment of two academic optometry programs – the first at the University of Medicine Pham Ngoc Thach and the second at Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital. The grant will be used to replace and purchase equipment for the existing and new academic vision centers (AVC) at the hospital. The AVCs provide optometry students and residents with the clinical experience they need for comprehensive training, while providing vital vision care and services to Vietnamese residents in the area.

The Foundation projects that the purchase of the optometry equipment – and space afforded by the new AVC – will double to 30 the number of students each month who are able to gain the vital clinical competencies needed for their training and education. It is estimated that the project will enable students and graduates to serve approximately 2,000 patients monthly, with 1,000 of them being children.

 

Supporting the Growth of Optometry in Malawi
SEE-Can Project Expands Clinical Space

Grantee: Canadian Vision Care

In 2014 OGS helped support the establishment of the Mzuzu University Optometry Program to begin to address the critical shortage of vision care in Malawi. Since that time, the number of students enrolled in the program has tripled.

An Academic Vision Center facility developed in rural Rumphi has served as the school’s only facility for students to gain vital clinical experience. However, the significant growth of the Optometry Program has resulted in additional clinical opportunities being needed for students.

The grant will enable Canadian Vision Care to refurbish Sea Can shipping containers as SEE CAN clinics outfitted with necessary equipment, supplies and training materials. The clinics will be shipped to health centers in the country, where students can participate in clinical experiences under the oversight of credentialed optometrists. It is anticipated that the addition of these new clinical sites will benefit approximately 50,000 residents of Malawi.

 

Malawi Optometry Student Numbers Triple
Student Vision Kits Help Fill the Need

Grantee: Canadian Vision Care

Malawi’s Mzuzu University Optometry Program began in 2014 with support from OGS. Today, there are triple the number of students at the school than when it first opened its doors. Now in its thirteenth year, the program is in need of updated and additional equipment for training.

The grant will allow for the purchase of new, vital equipment and resources to assist students in vision screening protocols. These student kits will include various exam and diagnostic equipment and materials as well as a video about vision screening best practices to maximize their clinical experiences in preparation for becoming optometrists to serve their communities

 

Scaling Up School Eye Health in Liberia
New Program Established for Training Optometric Techs

Grantee: EYElliance

With only 10 ophthalmic technicians to serve the 5.4 million citizens of Liberia, there is a vital need to expand the profession. The grant – the second that OGS has provided to EYElliance — will be used to establish a new optometry technician program at the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts to help sustain their national school eye health program. The aim is to reach 12 of Liberia’s 15 counties with school eye health programming to ensure that more than 80% of all Liberian children enrolled in public primary and secondary school have access to appropriate eye care. The training program is being established in conjunction with the LV Prasad Eye Institute and the Liberia Ministry of Health, which will assume responsibility for the program in 2025. It is estimated that 110,000 children will benefit from the program.

 

Improving Students’ Vision in Mexico
Portable Diagnostic Sets Allow for In-School Vision Screenings

Grantee: Fundación Ver Bien para Aprender Mejor (See Well to Learn Better Foundation)

The grant allows Ver Bien to continue its important work of diagnosing and addressing vision issues in the estimated 13 percent of elementary and high school students in Mexico who suffer from refractive errors. In addition to funding eye exams and prescription glasses for students, the grant will allow for the replacement of old, worn portable diagnostic sets used by teams of optometrists to perform in-school exams during the 2023-24 academic year. An estimated 211,000 children will benefit during the time frame.

 

Expanding Pediatric Optometry in Mozambique
Academic Training and Clinical Experience Will Result in More Services for Children

Grantee: Light for the World International

Since mid-2018, only one hospital in Mozambique has offered comprehensive pediatric eye care. Although optometry training offered at a public university in the country is helping to increase the number of optometrists available, the current training does not focus on children’s eye care.

The grant will help address the training gap by providing an 8-week program for optometrists treating pediatric patients. The program will provide academic training and clinical experience (including equipment) at two of Mozambique’s three main referral hospitals with child eye health units. Optometrists who undergo the training will have the opportunity to train others in the future, thus helping to ensure the sustainability of the nationwide program.

 

Expanding Clinical Training Capabilities in Ghana
New Hospital Branch to Enable Students to Learn While Serving the Community

Grantee: Operation Eyesight (Watborg Eye Services)

The grant is being used to establish a branch of Watborg Eye Services in Accra City Centre to provide primary, secondary and tertiary care to an estimated 4,000 low-income patients, in the first year alone, who otherwise would have to travel a long way to the central region of the country for eye care. Additionally, the facility will serve as a clinical training site for optometry students from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and University of Cape Coast. Funding of the project will facilitate the sustained future growth of optometric and vision care services in Ghana.

 

Teachers are Frontline Vision Screeners in Zambia
Students Receive Exams, Eyeglasses and Follow-Up Care

Grantee: Operation Eyesight

In conjunction with Zambia’s Ministry of General Education, Operation Eyesight continues its work to provide free exams, eyeglasses and vision care to children in Zambian schools. Through this program, the organization trains school teachers in primary eye care screening strategies to identify children with visual impairment.

Through local, national and international partnerships, students are provided with eye exams and custom prescription eyeglasses if necessary and are referred for additional diagnostics and treatment if required. Being able to see well means that students are much more likely to be successful in school and in life.

 

Improving Access to Eye Care in the Dominican Republic
More Than 135,000 Dominicans to Receive Exams and Necessary Care

Grantee: Restoring Vision

Optometry Giving Sight continues to support this expanding program in which students from the Dominican Republic’s School of Optometry, in conjunction with Restoring Vision staff, travel to each province of the country to provide vision screenings and eyeglasses to people of all ages who need them. By the end of the grant year, 135,000 people with presbyopia and myopia will have received the vital care they need to improve their daily lives.

 

Providing Vision Care for Jamaican Students
Training and Added School Partnerships Help Jamaican Children See

Grantee: See Better.Learn Better Jamaica

In Jamaica, the public healthcare system does not provide access to refractive care. There is only one optometrist for every 165,000 residents, leaving the country’s population with little access to eye exams, eyeglasses and other corrective measures. This is especially true of western Jamaica, a rural area that is far from the urbanized areas of Montego Bay and Kingston, where healthcare services are more readily available.

In 2015, the See Better.Learn Better initiative began providing long-term eye care free of charge for young students through partnerships with local schools. During its seven-year history (the initiative was on hiatus during the COVID years of 2021 and 2022) the organization has provided annual eye exams and prescription glasses, if necessary, to more than 8,500 students ages three to 12. If their prescription changes or their growing bodies require new eyeglass frames, they will receive new ones at no cost through their first six years of school.

The grant is being used to include three additional schools to the See Better.Learn Better initiative, which will result in vital eye care services for an additional 1,200 to 1,500 students this year. A portion of the grant will also be used to establish an optometry care program at the area’s closest referral hospital, Bustamente Children’s Hospital in Kingston. Through this effort, the organization will serve approximately 500 pediatric patients this year who have been referred to the hospital for follow-up diagnostics and treatment.

Considering that 80 percent of a student’s learning is vision based, this initiative is truly changing the lives of students and building a stronger, more hopeful future for the country of Jamaica.

 

Institute Will Add to Number of Optometrists in Nepal
Local Residents Will Gain Access to Vital Eye Care Services

Grantee: Seva Foundation

Although there are three optometric training programs in Nepal, there is not one in Madhesh Province, the country’s most densely populated province with more than 6.1 million residents. In total, approximately 73 students graduate each year with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in optometry. Currently, there are 250 optometrists registered with the Nepal Optometry Society, only some of whom practice within the country.

The grant provides funding for the Seva Foundation to work with the Government of Nepal and a hospital in Madhesh to establish an optometry training institute whose students and faculty will provide vital vision exams and eyeglasses to residents of the province – individuals whose circumstances prevent them from traveling to other areas of the country for eye care.

The first cadre of students will begin in April 2024. When fully operational, the institute will graduate 10 optometrists per year, helping the country achieve its goal of having approximately 583 practicing optometrists within its borders.

 

Optometrist Training for Special Olympics Athletes
Expanding Training for Treating Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Grantee: Special Olympics

Optometry Giving Sight continues to support Special Olympics and its athletes by providing this grant for an ongoing program to expand training for eye care practitioners and optometry students about treating individuals with intellectual disabilities. In 2022 — in Kenya and the U.S. combined – 1,185 eye care practitioners and 176 optometry students participated in hands-on, live online or asynchronous online training. And, 3,258 Special Olympics athletes were provided vision screenings as well as eyeglasses, sports glasses and referrals as necessary.

 

Bangladeshis Continue to Benefit from Vision Center Services
Teachers Learn to Spot Vision Impairment in Students

Grantee: Symbiosis Foundation

Since 2006, the Symbiosis Foundation has been operating its SPECS (Symbiosis Primary Eye Care Service) Program in rural and remote areas of Bangladesh. During that time, the Foundation has established eight vision centers throughout the country to provide eye exams, glasses and referral services to disadvantaged residents.

The grant will be used to fund the continuing operations of the centers, which are expected to serve 45,000 patients, 30,000 of whom are children. Recognizing the tremendous value of educating communities about eye care, the Foundation will also use the grant to conduct eye health training for 15,000 individuals. Among these will be 200 teachers, who will learn how to identify possible vision impairment issues among their students.

 

Replacement Equipment to Boost Capacity in Mexico Clinic
Refurbished Exam Rooms to Serve Up to 1,000 Patients Per Screening Event

Grantee: The Guerrero Crystal Foundation, Inc.

In Mexico, 61 percent of the population suffers from vision impairment. And, 40 percent of them also have mobility challenges due to poor eye care.

In the state of Chihuahua, the Guerrero Clinic has provided free eye care for 40 years to the indigent Mexicans, Mennonites and Tarahumara Indians in the state and surrounding area. Much of the care – including ocular health seminars, eye exams, glasses, cataract surgery, and retinal procedures – is provided by volunteer optometrists and optometry students.

Only three of the eight exam rooms at the clinic are used due to a lack of usable equipment, which severely limits the number of patients who can be seen during the numerous clinics held throughout the year.

The grant will be used to replace the equipment in five of the exam lanes and to replace the 20-year-old edger used to make eyeglasses. Refurbishing the rooms will increase the capacity of the clinic to serve 1,000 individuals during each clinic.

 

Freestanding Vision Center to Serve Remote Area of Uganda
Scholarships Will Build Optometry’s Presence in Bwindi

Grantee: The Hope Alliance

In Uganda, seven percent of the population suffers from moderate to severe vision impairment. Yet, there is a severe shortage of eye care services due to the lack of facilities and trained professionals. There is only one ophthalmologist in the country for every 1.5 million residents. Many individuals surrounding the remote town of Bwindi – impoverished members of indigenous groups – must walk hours daily to collect water and firewood. And, access to basic health services are often a day’s walk away or longer.

The Bwindi Community Hospital has converted a 273-square-foot shipping container into a makeshift eye care center for the 120,000 citizens of the area. But its small size, limited equipment, and scarcity of optometry professionals meet only a small percentage of the need.

The Hope Alliance, in conjunction with hospital leadership and other partners, will help build a freestanding vision center to expand and improve the eye care services available to the community. The grant from Optometry Giving Sight will be used to: Create scholarships for optometry and ophthalmic students; Furnish the clinic with the necessary equipment to diagnose, treat and refer patients and; Provide support to the hospital in creating a sustainable business model to ensure the clinic’s short-term and long-term success and growth.

 

Optometry Training in Haiti Continues
More Optometrists Result in Better Care for Those in Need

Grantee: University of Montreal

With only seven optometrists to serve the 11 million people of Haiti, OGS and partnering organizations helped establish the Haiti School of Optometry in 2017. In addition to the school, the partners established an Academic Vision Center to improve optometric training and care for local residents.

Since that time, OGS has continued to support the project, whose 5-year program now includes approximately 60 students. Despite numerous setbacks including, safety and security issues, political instability and lack of robust technology, the University is scheduled to graduate its first group of optometrists soon. But, there is additional work to be completed before this can occur.

The grant from OGS is being used to support the continued development of the school in partnership with the Université de Montréal, Brien Holden Foundation and Université d’Etat d’Haiti.

 

Building the Capacity of Optometry Associations
Expanding Professional Development in Ethiopia, Ghana and Zambia

Grantee: Vision Action

Ongoing continuing education is paramount to maintaining knowledge, skills and professional certification and registration with the goal of improved patient care. Yet, for optometrists in Ethiopia, Ghana and Zambia, professional development opportunities are hard to find and/or access.

Although each country has its own national optometric association (OA), all are at varying stages of organizational development. The grant will enable the associations, in conjunction with Vision Action and other partners, to increase their capacity to better serve their members through a variety of strategic and operational activities.

From helping raise awareness about the vital role of optometry in public health, to conducting strategic planning, and establishing ongoing continuing education programs, the grant will help elevate the level of professionalism of optometry in the countries and, ultimately, improve the quality of optometric care for patients.

 

Primary Care Optometry Education in Guatemala
Advanced Training Will Result in Better Care for Nation’s Poor

Grantee: Vision for the Poor

The Guatemala National Eye Care Plan calls for ending treatable blindness in the country by 2023. Efforts to meet this ambitious goal have included the establishment of ten vision centers and three regional eye hospitals. Two more vision centers are under construction.

A wide range of optometric services are readily available in the country to people who can afford it. But, the poorest of the nation’s residents do not have easy access – or any access at all – to eye care professionals who can provide the full range of diagnostic, prescriptive and treatment care that they need. There is only one organization within Guatemala providing these services to impoverished communities. However, its optometrists are trained only to perform refractions and prescribe eyeglasses or other visual aids.

Vision for the Poor will use The grant in partnership with other organizations to offer advanced education to 18 optometrists so they can serve as primary care optometrists trained to recognize, diagnose and treat more complex cases. Currently, patients with these issues must be referred to one of the limited number of ophthalmologists available who work with members of impoverished communities in Guatemala. A portion of the grant will also be used to establish six new outreach teams to provide vision care services within the community-at-large.

 

Serving and Learning
Professional Development and Direct Vision Care Will Have Global Impact

Grantee: VOSH International, Inc.

The partnership between VOSH International and Optometry Giving Sight is long-standing. Both organizations exist to eliminate preventable blindness and vision impairment throughout the world by introducing and strengthening the profession of optometry where it is most needed.

The grant will be used in various locations globally to support the continuing sustainable development of eye care services via education and optometric service. By providing training, networking, mentorship and patient care, the grant will positively impact VOSH chapters and members and the people they serve wherever they are.

 

Leading Optometry Forward
Course Offered on Leadership and Advocacy

Grantee: World Council of Optometry

Optometry Giving Sight’s mission is to end preventable blindness and vision impairment by developing and strengthening the optometry profession worldwide. Throughout the organization’s history, OGS has worked with partners to create sustainable education programs whose students and graduates globally, to serve the communities in which they learn and live.

But, as optometry takes its place in developing countries, there is a new demand for leaders in the field who can shepherd the profession’s growth and strengthen its role in adopting standards of care, creating professional development, provide robust advocacy and effectively lead the industry forward. As a result of this need, the World Council of Optometry is creating the OPAL Program: Optometry Program for Advocacy Leadership.

The grant from OGS will fund the delivery and implementation of this year’s OPAL Program, a 12-week course that will provide participants with information, materials, and knowledge in order to identify and strengthen personal leadership skills and develop and implement an optometry advocacy program. This is the second year for the annual course.

Le don de la vue pour les enfants de la Jamaïque

Récemment, dans une école primaire de la région rurale de Westmoreland, en Jamaïque, une enseignante était assise à son bureau, dans une salle de classe aux murs colorés, avec un jeune garçon à ses côtés. Il regardait attentivement le stylo de son enseignante glisser sur sa feuille de devoir pour dessiner les crochets qui indiqueraient un bon travail. Son anticipation grandissait à chaque crochet.

Finalement, d’un coup de stylo, l’enseignante dessina le dernier crochet. Elle se tourna vers le garçon pour lui taper la main en l’air en guise de célébration. « Justin a réussi! », s’est-elle exclamée. Ce fut un bref moment, certes, mais tout de même un accomplissement.

Pour Justin, six ans, la réussite à l’école n’a pas toujours été facile. Par le passé, une déficience visuelle importante a entravé ses efforts pour réussir. Pour les enfants comme Justin, qui ont de la difficulté à bien voir, la salle de classe est un endroit particulièrement difficile. Ils ont de la difficulté à lire les directives écrites, à comprendre ce qu’ils lisent, à terminer leurs devoirs et à rester concentrés à l’école. En dehors de la salle de classe, une déficience visuelle peut gravement nuire à la capacité d’un enfant d’interagir avec ses pairs et de participer aux activités physiques et sociales.

Les enseignants de Justin soupçonnaient qu’il était aux prises avec des difficultés avant même qu’il puisse exprimer ce qui n’allait pas. Or, grâce à l’initiative See Better. Learn Better financée en partie par Optometry Giving Sight, Justin a reçu un dépistage des troubles de la vue à l’école, son tout premier. L’initiative offre ces dépistages deux fois par année dans de nombreuses écoles primaires de la Jamaïque.

Dans le cadre du programme, les élèves des écoles participantes reçoivent un examen de la vue annuel et une paire de lunettes, au besoin. Les élèves peuvent également être aiguillés vers d’autres professionnels afin d’effectuer des tests supplémentaires et de recevoir un traitement, selon les besoins. Justin a reçu des lunettes prescrites et a été aiguillé vers d’autres ressources pour des tests supplémentaires. Les élèves reçoivent plusieurs dépistages pendant leurs six premières années d’école. Si leur vision change, ou s’ils ont besoin de lunettes différentes en raison de leur croissance, ils reçoivent une nouvelle paire de lunettes. Tout cela est offert gratuitement, grâce aux généreux donateurs d’Optometry Giving Sight comme vous qui appuient les programmes tels que See Better.Learn Better Jamaica en Jamaïque.

On estime que 80% de ce qu’un enfant apprend nécessite la vue. Une bonne vision nous permet de mieux nous orienter dans le monde, d’apprendre par la pratique, de comprendre ce que nous vivons et d’améliorer notre capacité d’interagir avec le monde et les personnes qui nous entourent. Imaginez tout ce que Justin aurait manqué, s’il n’avait pas reçu son premier dépistage des troubles de la vue.

Une bonne vision est un cadeau. En cette période des Fêtes, nous espérons que vous envisagerez de donner la vue en cadeau à d’autres enfants comme Justin. En faisant un don unique ou périodique à Optometry Giving Sight, vous nous permettez de continuer à appuyer l’initiative See Better.Learn Better et d’autres programmes durables, qui ont pour objectif de mettre fin à la cécité et aux déficiences visuelles évitables dans des régions du monde où un simple examen de la vue peut faire toute la différence entre vivre sa vie à l’écart et la vivre pleinement.

Optometry Giving Sight soutient des programmes optométriques durables et évolutifs qui éduquent les fournisseurs de soins à l’échelle locale et permettent d’offrir des soins de la vue et la santé oculaire pour tous. Cliquez ici pour faire un don et veuillez utiliser le bouton « Translate » en bas du site pour traduire le texte en français.