Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we funded 24 impactful projects in 2025. Click here to explore the inspiring work you helped make possible.

Author: Corinne Waldon

Optometry Giving Sight Names Daniel McBride and Meng Meng Xu to Board of Directors

Photos of Dan_and_MengOptometry Giving Sight (OGS) announces the addition of Daniel McBride, executive vice president and chief operating officer of CooperCompanies, and Meng Meng Xu, OD, MPH, FAAO, to its board of directors.

“As we continue to grow and enhance OGS and our work to eradicate preventable blindness through the establishment of sustainable eye care around the world, we are thrilled to welcome two new board members who are so highly regarded in the industry and profession,” said Lois Schoenbrun, executive director, OGS. “Mr. McBride has shown remarkable support for our mission over the years in his roles at CooperVision and CooperCompanies. Meanwhile, the combination of Dr. Xu’s experience in clinical optometry and international public health programs will bring valuable insight to OGS and our partners.”

CooperVision is the largest donor in OGS history, with a total contribution of more than $4 million. The company is a global platinum sponsor of the organization and provides additional support through employee fundraising activities with a company match, and a consumer rebate donation program.

McBride has served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for CooperCompanies since 2013. He previously served as president of CooperVision from 2014 through 2021. His prior roles at CooperVision also include chief risk officer, general counsel, vice president, and senior counsel. Before joining CooperVision in 2005, McBride was an attorney with Latham & Watkins LLP. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Santa Clara University and a juris doctor from Stanford Law School.

Dr. Xu is an associate professor of clinical optometry and the director of eyecare services at South Boston Community Health Center. She also serves as coordinator of international programs at the New England College of Optometry, a role she has held for 10 years. Dr. Xu earned a master’s degree in public health from Harvard University and her doctorate in optometry from the University of Montreal.

Over the last 20 years, OGS funding has provided basic eye care services to more than 8 million people, assisted with training more than 14,000 eye care personnel, established more than 130 vision centers, and served people in more than 40 countries. In the last two years alone, OGS has provided funding to more than 30 project partners around the world, totaling over $1.5 million in grants.

 

Optometry Giving Sight Sets $500,000 Fundraising Goal for the 2023 World Sight Day Challenge

Giving Together, Seeing Forever image collage - World Sight Day Challenge 2023With only a few weeks remaining, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced a $500,000 fundraising goal for its 2023 World Sight Day Challenge. Donations will fuel the organization’s efforts to help eradicate uncorrected refractive error through the growth and expansion of optometry around the world. As thousands of eye care professionals convene in New Orleans for Academy 2023 and observe World Sight Day, OGS calls upon the optometry community to help achieve this goal.

The theme of this year’s World Sight Day Challenge is “Giving Together, Seeing Forever,” which celebrates the collective power of the industry to give the gift of sight to millions of people in need. Although World Sight Day takes place on October 12, the Challenge—the organization’s largest annual fundraiser—officially continues through the end of October.

“There is still plenty of time to join the World Sight Day Challenge and contribute to meeting our goal,” said Lois Schoenbrun, Executive Director, Optometry Giving Sight. “Every dollar donated allows us to fund sustainable initiatives that provide life-changing eye care to people, families, and communities around the world. OGS is ‘optometry’s charity’—eye care professionals truly understand the impact of sight, because they witness it in their practices every day. Our work is only possible with your support.”

There are several ways to support OGS during the World Sight Day Challenge. One-time or recurring donations can be made at any time at givingsight.org/donate-wsdc. Those interested in leading fundraising at their practice or company can register at givingsight.org/wsdc to receive a toolkit with ideas and resources.

Attendees at Academy 2023 in New Orleans are encouraged to visit the OGS booth (#1623) to participate in the Beanbag Bucket Toss fundraising game. Players will try their hand at tossing beanbags into buckets at various distances to increase donations and a board member match. A minimum $10 donation is required to play the game, and a thank-you gift will be given to each participant.

1.2 billion people worldwide suffer needlessly from preventable blindness and vision impairment. With funds raised, Optometry Giving Sight provides grants to programs focused on long-term solutions, including those that establish optometry schools, vision centers, and optical labs in underserved communities around the globe.

Since 2003, OGS funding has provided basic eye care services to more than 8 million people, assisted with training more than 14,000 eye care personnel, established more than 130 vision centers, and served people in more than 40 countries. In the last two years alone, OGS has provided funding to more than 30 project partners around the world, totaling more than $1.5 million in grants.

Des étudiants en optométrie en Haïti reçoivent une formation pratique inestimable, malgré les troubles civils

Imaginez une population de 11 millions de personnes et seulement 2 optométristes pour les servir.

Voilà le véritable ratio en Haïti, un pays continuellement confronté à de grandes difficultés, y compris l’instabilité politique, une économie pauvre, des catastrophes naturelles, la pandémie de COVID-19 et plus. L’accès aux soins de la vue à l’extérieur des grandes villes est pratiquement inexistant, sauf pour les services offerts dans le cadre de missions humanitaires médicales.

En 2017, Optometry Giving Sight s’est associée à l’Université d’état d’Haïti, l’Université de Montréal, VOSH/International, Charity Vision et la Brien Holden Foundation pour fonder l’École d’optométrie en Haïti. Les partenaires se sont fixé l’objectif d’accroître le nombre d’optométristes formés au pays et d’établir un centre de la vision universitaire où des soins optométriques et de la formation seraient offerts.

Aujourd’hui, près de 60 étudiants sont inscrits dans le programme de cinq ans, qui produira sa première cohorte d’optométristes diplômés si certains obstacles sont surmontés. En raison des troubles civils en Haïti, la formation clinique en personne est difficile à obtenir pour les étudiants de cinquième année. Les restrictions dans le contexte de la pandémie de COVID-19 ont fait en sorte qu’ils étaient difficiles pour les optométristes étrangers de se rendre en Haïti, tandis que la précarité de l’accès à Internet ne permet pas l’apprentissage en ligne. De plus, il y a beaucoup d’incertitude autour des lois gouvernementales pour reconnaître l’optométrie en tant que profession médicale agréée.

Malgré ces défis, l’École d’optométrie en Haïti continue de fonctionner et ses étudiants demeurent déterminés à recevoir leur formation pour offrir des soins de la vue dans leur collectivité. Toutefois, il y a encore beaucoup à faire pour s’assurer qu’ils y parviennent.

Optometry Giving Sight a accordé une aide financière et à investi des ressources pour continuer de soutenir l’école au cours des dernières années, et elle est continuera de le faire dans un avenir rapproché. En plus d’avoir contribué à améliorer l’accès à Internet pour l’éducation en ligne, OGS a également travaillé de concert avec VOSH/International pour offrir des cliniques d’enseignement en personne aux étudiants en dernière année du programme.

Ainsi, en 2021, VOSH-Pennsylvania a mené une mission éducative par l’intermédiaire d’un projet nommé Je ayisyen (yeux haïtiens) dans le cadre duquel les étudiants ont pu perfectionner leurs compétences cliniques, acquérir l’expérience nécessaire auprès des patients et renforcer leur sentiment de confiance. La première clinique a été tenue au New Hope Hospital à Cap-Haïtien, dans le nord du pays. Cette expérience a mis en évidence la nécessité d’une formation clinique plus supervisée et d’un accès aux patients pour que les étudiants puissent terminer leur formation en optométrie.

La détérioration de la sécurité en Haïti a retardé la tenue d’une deuxième clinique d’enseignement, mais OGS, OSH/International, VOSH-Pennsylvania et leurs partenaires ont finalement réussi à en organiser une dans la nouvelle clinique de soins de la vue du New Hope Hospital. Onze étudiants de cinquième année de l’École d’optométrie en Haïti y ont passé une semaine, où ils ont pu rafraîchir leurs connaissances et leurs compétences quant aux procédures cliniques, à l’utilisation de l’équipement, aux formulaires pour les patients et à l’organisation des tâches. Les étudiants ont vu un total de 289 patients, soit une moyenne de 26 patients par étudiant, et ont rempli les dossiers nécessaires.

« Quand je suis arrivé à Cap-Haïtien, j’étais stressé, car je n’avais pas vu de patient depuis très longtemps. À la fin de mon séjour, j’ai réalisé que même si je dois m’améliorer sur certains aspects, je suis prêt », a affirmé un des étudiants dans le sondage post-clinique. « Le stress que je ressentais à l’idée d’obtenir mon diplôme a complètement disparu et je sais maintenant que je suis fait pour être optométriste. »

Le passage des étudiants à la clinique a également renforcé l’incidence que les optométristes peuvent avoir sur la vie de leurs patients. Que ce soit en aidant un patient à soulager une douleur insoutenable grâce à des médicaments pour atténuer la pression oculaire ou en diagnostiquant un bébé de quatre mois avec des cataractes au lieu d’un rétinoblastome, il est indéniable que des vies ont été transformées. En ayant la possibilité de prescrire des lunettes, les étudiants ont vu qu’ils peuvent faire une différence positive grâce aux soins de la vue.

« Dans la première clinique, j’ai vu quel est le travail d’un optométriste », fait remarquer un autre étudiant. « Dans la deuxième clinique, j’ai vu ce que je peux faire en tant qu’optométriste. Merci à tous ceux qui ont consacré du temps et des efforts pour rendre cette clinique possible. »

L’École d’optométrie en Haïti est actuellement soutenue par un consortium international appuyé par Optometry Giving Sight et composé de l’Université de Montréal, la Brien Holden Foundation et l’Université d’état d’Haïti.

Pour aider les étudiants en optométrie actuels et à venir en Haïti et ailleurs dans le monde, cliquez-ici.

Les photos sont une gracieuseté de VOSH/International.

Optometry students in Haiti receive invaluable hands-on training, despite civil unrest

Imagine a population of 11 million people—and only two optometrists.

This ratio is a reality in Haiti, a country that has faced significant, continuous hardships including political instability, a poor economy, natural disasters, the COVID pandemic, and more. Access to eye care outside of the major cities is nearly nonexistent except for services delivered during medical mission trips.

In 2017, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) partnered with Université d’Etat d’Haiti, Université de Montréal, VOSH/International, Charity Vision, and the Brien Holden Foundation to establish the Haiti School of Optometry. The partners set out to increase the number of locally trained optometrists and to establish an Academic Vision Centre to provide hands-on optometric training and care.

Today, there are about 60 students enrolled in the five-year program, which is set to graduate its first class of optometrists if not for a few roadblocks. Due to civil unrest in Haiti, in-person clinical training is difficult to obtain for the fifth-year students. COVID restrictions made it difficult for foreign optometric educators to travel to Haiti, and unreliable internet access is prohibitive for online learning. In addition, there is uncertainty surrounding government legislation to recognize optometry as a licensed medical profession.

Despite these challenges, the Haiti School of Optometry continues to operate, and its students remain committed to receiving their education and ultimately, providing eye care in their communities. But there is still work to be done to ensure this is possible.

Optometry Giving Sight has granted financial assistance and invested resources to continue supporting the school over the last few years and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Not only has the support enabled improved internet access for online education, but OGS has also worked with VOSH/International to deliver in-person teaching clinics for the graduating class.

Thus in 2021, VOSH-Pennsylvania led an educational mission, via a project called Je ayisyen (Haitian eyes) through which students enhanced their clinical skills, gained much-needed practice with patients, and built their confidence. This first clinic was held at the New Hope Hospital in Cap-Haïtien, north of Haiti, and the experience underscored the students’ need for more supervised clinical training and access to patients to complete their optometry education.

Deteriorating safety and security in Haiti delayed the delivery of a second teaching clinic, but ultimately, OGS, VOSH/International, VOSH-Pennsylvania and partners were able to make it happen again at the new eye care clinic at the same New Hope Hospital. Eleven fifth-year students from the Haiti School of Optometry spent a week there, where they were able to refresh their knowledge and skills related to clinical procedures, equipment handling, patient forms, and work organization. The students saw a total of 289 patients—an average of 26 patients per student—and completed the necessary patient records for each.

“I arrived at Cap-Haïtien stressed because it had been a long time since I had seen a patient. But by the time we left, I realized that although there are things to improve, I am ready,” said one of the students in a post-clinic survey. “The stress I felt about obtaining my diploma has completely disappeared and I know now that I’m made to be an optometrist.”

The students’ time in the clinic also reinforced the impact optometrists can have on the lives of their patients. From helping a patient with excruciating pain relieve his eye pressure with medication to diagnosing a four-month-old baby with cataracts rather than retinoblastoma, lives were undoubtedly changed. Even the ability to prescribe glasses confirmed for the students the positive difference they can make with eye care.

“In the first clinic, I saw what the job of the optometrist is,” remarked another student. “In the second clinic, I saw what I can do as an optometrist. Thank you to each of you who contributed to the efforts and time availability to make this clinic possible.”

The Haiti School of Optometry is currently backed by an OGS-supported international consortium composed of Université de Montréal, Brien Holden Foundation and Université d’Etat d’Haiti.

To support current and future optometry students in Haiti and around the world, please donate today.

WestGroupe et Carl Zeiss Vision Canada donnent plus de 234 000$ à Optometry Giving Sight grâce à leur promotion ValuePak

Pendant sept années consécutives, WestGroupe et Carl Zeiss Vision Canada ont donné une partie des fonds récoltés grâce aux ventes d’ensembles de montures et de verres ValuePak – qui comprennent les montures Superflex® et synchrony® – à Optometry Giving Sight. Dans le cadre de cette promotion continue, les deux entreprises ont récolté jusqu’à présent plus de 234 000 $ en fonds cumulatifs pour Optometry Giving Sight, la seule organisation qui s’emploie à éradiquer les erreurs de réfraction non corrigées grâce à la croissance et à l’élargissement de l’optométrie partout dans le monde.

Image of PromotionAvec l’appui de WestGroupe et Carl Zeiss Vision Canada, deux entreprises reconnues comme partenaires platine canadiennes d’Optometry Giving Sight, nous avons réussi à financer des projets essentiels dans des régions du monde où les gens ont un accès limité ou inexistant aux soins de la vue. Ce financement a servi à fournir l’équipement nécessaire pour des étudiants en optométrie au Malawi, établir une école d’optométrie au Vietnam et aider les personnes dans les collectivités mal desservies du Canada à recevoir un examen de la vue et des lunettes.

« Élargir l’accès à des soins de la vue équitables et sensibiliser les gens à l’importance d’une saine vision est au cœur de ce qu’Optometry Giving Sight défend », déclare Lois Schoenbrun, directrice exécutive d’Optometry Giving Sight. « Nous sommes éternellement reconnaissants envers nos partenaires WestGroupe et Carl Zeiss Vision pour leur soutien indéfectible et ce qu’ils nous permettent d’accomplir partout dans le monde. »

« Redonner au suivant n’est pas une simple responsabilité, c’est un privilège », affirme Bryan Rossi, président de Carl Zeiss Vision Care Canada. « Ensemble, nous avons le pouvoir d’influencer positivement la vie des personnes dans le besoin et c’est un honneur de leur tendre la main. »

En plus de leurs contributions annuelles liées aux ensembles ValuePak, WestGroupe et Carl Zeiss Vision Canada participent chaque année au Défi de la Journée mondiale de la vue d’Optometry Giving Sight, dans le cadre duquel les partenaires platine organisent plusieurs événements de collecte de fonds tout au long de l’année avec l’appui et la participation de la haute direction. Pour en savoir plus sur le Défi de la Journée mondiale de la vue, visitez la page givingsight.org/wsdc/.

« Que ce soit par l’initiative des ensembles ValuePak avec Carl Zeiss Vision ou la participation au Défi de la Journée mondiale de la vue chaque année, nous sommes des défenseurs et partenaires de longue date d’Optometry Giving Sight », déclare Michael Suliteanu, président de WestGroupe. « C’est en toute humilité que nous jouons un rôle pour appuyer la mission commune d’offrir un accès aux soins de la vue et des solutions aux personnes qui en ont le plus besoin. »

Pour en savoir plus sur les ensembles ValuePak, veuillez communiquer avec votre représentant de WestGroupe ou Carl Zeiss Vision.

WestGroupe and Carl Zeiss Vision Canada Contribute More Than $234,000 to date through their ValuePak Promotion

For seven consecutive years, WestGroupe and Carl Zeiss Vision Canada have donated a portion of the proceeds raised from its ValuePak frame and lens package—which includes Superflex® frames and synchrony® lenses—and now their LenZ Pak packages—to Optometry Giving Sight (OGS). Through this ongoing promotion, the companies have raised more than $234,000 to date in cumulative funds for OGS, the only organization dedicated to eradicating uncorrected refractive error through the growth and expansion of optometry around the world.

Image of PromotionWith support from WestGroupe and Carl Zeiss Vision Canada—both of which are recognized as OGS Canadian Platinum Partners—OGS has been able to fund vital projects in areas of the world with little to no access to eye care, including providing necessary equipment to optometry students in Malawi, establishing a school of optometry in Vietnam, and helping underserved people in Canada receive eye exams and glasses.

“Broadening access to equitable eye care and raising awareness of the importance of healthy vision is at the core of everything that Optometry Giving Sight stands for,” said Lois Schoenbrun, Executive Director, OGS. “We are endlessly grateful for our partnerships with West Groupe and Carl Zeiss Vision, and what their ongoing support enables us to accomplish around the world.”

“We believe that giving back is not just a responsibility, but a privilege,” says Bryan Rossi, President, Carl Zeiss Vision Care, Canada. “Together, we have the power to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need, and it is our honor to extend a helping hand.”

In addition to their annual ValuePak contributions, WestGroupe and Carl Zeiss Vision Canada participate every year in Optometry Giving Sight’s World Sight Day Challenge, for which each Platinum Partner holds several fundraising events throughout the year and includes upper management involvement and support. To learn more about the World Sight Day Challenge, please visit givingsight.org/wsdc/.

“Whether it’s through the ValuePak initiative with Carl Zeiss Vision or participating in the annual World Sight Day Challenge, we’ve always been a longstanding partner and supporter of OGS,” said Michael Suliteanu, President, WestGroupe. “It’s humbling to know that we’re playing a role in supporting the shared mission to provide access to eye care services and solutions to those most in need.”

For more information about the ValuePak packages, please contact your WestGroupe or Carl Zeiss Vision representative, or call +1 (800) 268-6489.

Over the last 20 years, OGS funding has provided basic eye care services to more than 8 million people, assisted with training more than 14,000 eye care personnel, established more than 130 vision centers, and served people in more than 40 countries. In the last two years alone, OGS has provided funding to more than 30 project partners in North America and around the world, totaling more than $1.5M in grants. Click here to make a donation.

Addition of Dr. Susy Yu to Board of Directors

Photo of Dr. Susy Yu, OGS Board DirectorOptometry Giving Sight is pleased to announce the addition of Susy Yu, OD, MBA, FAAO, to our board of directors.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr. Yu to our board of directors. Her years of experience in optometry—in practice, administration, governance, and leadership—will be an enormous asset as she brings valuable insight to the benefit of OGS and our partners,” said Lois Schoenbrun, executive director, OGS.

Dr. Yu has served for more than 20 years as director of strategy and operations support at Vision Essentials by Kaiser Permanente. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of California Berkeley School of Optometry, and a master’s in business administration from the Anderson School at UCLA. Dr. Yu was previously a member of the California State Board of Optometry, and currently serves on the board of National Board of Examiners in Optometry.