Author: Corinne Waldon

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) will host the inaugural Brien Holden Founders Award Dinner on October 7 in memory of Prof. Brien Holden, PhD. This year marks the tenth anniversary of his passing. The event will be held in Boston, MA, prior to the American Academy of Optometry’s 2025 Annual meeting. During the evening OGS will present the first Optometry Giving Sight Brien Holden Founders Awards.

“Brien was an international leader in bringing awareness to, and addressing, Uncorrected Refractive Error (URE) globally,” says OGS U.S. Board Chair Dr. Juan Carlos Aragon. “He spent his entire career working to eradicate preventable blindness and vision impairment caused by UREs.”

In 2003, Holden along with the Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) team, brought together leaders from the World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to discuss the need for a different approach to addressing URE—one rooted in the proverb: “Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.”

At the time, most efforts to address URE focused on optometrist-led mission trips to areas with no access to eye care. “While these initiatives provided valuable one-time eye exams and eyeglasses to people in need, they lacked long-term, sustainable solutions to the ongoing need for primary eye care,” says Aragon. “Brien, along with BHVI, WCO and IAPB leadership, recognized that the root cause of URE was the lack of optometry professionals and infrastructure to support optometry in developing countries,” says Aragon. “So, they established Optometry Giving Sight as a fundraising entity to support global projects that provide education and clinical training for optometrists, ensuring they can deliver care both now and in the future. Brien’s vision was to invest in education and infrastructure that would build optometry and create lasting change.”

Holden’s widow, Yvonne, is pleased that Brien is being remembered this way. “He was passionate about OGS right from the very start,” she says, “and determined it would serve a great purpose in Optometry. I’m really proud that this is occurring because it would mean so much to him. I’m so happy that Brien hasn’t been forgotten, and that his work is continuing.”

“Brien was truly a visionary in the effort to create lasting and impactful improvements in access to primary eye care for all,” says OGS Canada Board Chair, Dr. Susan Cooper. “He understood that good vision is not only vital to the lives of individuals but also to the welfare of families and communities. We are proud to continue his legacy and pleased to honor him with this event.”

Since its founding, OGS has awarded more than 200 grants to support the establishment of 14 optometry schools, the development of more than 130 vision centers, and the training of over 14,000 optometry professionals. Programs partially funded by OGS have served more than 8 million people in 47 countries.

More information about dinner sponsorships, individual tickets, and memorial donations can be found here or click the button below.

In 2013, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS), Université de Montréal, the State University of Haiti, and the Brien Holden Foundation established a consortium that began work on establishing an optometry school at the university. Despite significant political turmoil and other challenges, the school continues to train students to expand the optometry profession in the country and provide desperately needed vision care to the estimated 1 million-plus individuals in the country who suffer from blindness or vision impairment.*

This article originally appeared as a LinkedIn post and is shared here with the permission of its creator, optometry student Jean Francois Erickson. The numbers shown after each student’s name indicate that student’s year in the optometry program.

Optometry Giving Sight applauds Mr. Erickson and his fellow students for their perseverance and commitment to the optometry profession and for undertaking this valuable outreach initiative.

In a context marked by trying situations for the population, a Haitian association known by the acronym AHDH (Haitian Association for Human Development) operating from the United States has launched an appeal, a request for volunteering for a mobile eye clinic. A group of optometry students from the School of Optometry of the State University of Haiti responded to this request. From November 18 to 23, 2024, there were 5 of them: Kimberly Alexandre O5, Leandro Thezard O4, James Hugson Luxana O4, Romekyle Georges O3, Jensen Petidor O3. With the organisation’s professionals understaffed following the halt of flights at the country’s main airport, they faced new challenges.

This initiative, which is made possible thanks to a partnership between AHDH and a local organization, CODEVA (Coude-à-coude pour le Développement Valléen), responded to a growing urgency: to offer eye care to an often neglected population. The inhabitants of the valley at St. Joseph’s Hospital receive this care only in this kind of extraordinary case. This has greatly testified to the need for care of all kinds in this locality, one among many.

With a patient-centered approach, 228 received appropriate care, including more than sixty glaucomatous patients, 4 for laser procedures, 14 patients for cataract surgeries, cases of conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, chalazion, retinopathy and problems related to eye trauma and serious infections, often not treated due to lack of local resources. Each consultation included a vision exam, an eye health assessment, and recommendations for follow-up. For complex cases, referrals to specialists have been arranged. More than 200 corrective glasses were donated as well as eye drops and other medicines free of charge. Several individuals, including glaucoma sufferers, testify that they have not received this appropriate care for semesters or even years. This has led to complications especially in those requiring regular eye follow-ups.

It was an exceptional experience for these young shoots carrying hope and already making the pride of the Pearl. This experience underscores the critical importance of increasing the number of mobile clinics to serve remote areas of Haiti. This mission proved that with determination and solidarity, it is possible to make a tangible difference in the lives of communities. The School of Optometry’s Student Committee salutes the commitment of these young professionals and organizations while reiterating its thanks to the international and national communities on behalf of the school. They continue to work tirelessly for quality eye care in Haiti.

Erickson JEAN FRANCOIS
President of the Student Committee of the UEH School of Optometry

*From https://www.iapb.org/learn/vision-atlas/magnitude-and-projections/countries/haiti/

When the call went out for optometry practices to participate in our annual World Sight Day Challenge, Hillsboro Vision Clinic in Hillsboro, Oregon, went all out! They donated proceeds from one day of optical sales, hosted a sunglass raffle, and treated patients (who gave donations as well) to OGS giveaways and baked goods from Decadent Creations.

In addition to taking the World Sight Day Challenge (WSDC), the clinic also participates in OGS’s monthly giving campaign and donates to the organization through PECAA’s Growing Through Giving Program, which is available to any PECAA practice.

Practice owner, Dr. Drew Perry, took over the clinic when his father, Dr. Matthew Perry – who purchased it in 1987 – retired. The younger Dr. Perry wanted to find a way to give back to the community in addition to the practice’s outreach program for uninsured patients who need help affording eye exams and eyeglasses. He found in OGS a way to expand the impact of his philanthropy beyond the clinic walls.

Office manager Krystle Goff coordinated the WSDC activities at the practice. “There’s always a fun ‘vibration’ that happens around the office when something greater than us is going on.

“Although we help folks every single day with their vision,” she says, “doing something that benefits those even farther outside our doors feels pretty incredible.

“Knowing we have contributed to an organization that reaches folks in need far beyond what our eyes can see feels amazing. It brings a certain comradery between patients and staff that isn’t necessarily found often. This opportunity to raise funds for OGS gave our clinic a chance to work alongside our community to make a positive impact together. That feels great. We can’t wait to give it a go again next year!”

Thank you, Hillsboro Vision Clinic and the Hillsboro community, for helping give the gift of sight to people in need all over the world!

With the Generous Support of our Donors in 2024:

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced the selection of its 2024 grant program recipients. This year, 16 grants totaling almost $1 million USD have been awarded to 15 organizations for projects that will help eradicate uncorrected refractive error globally.

As “Optometry’s Charity^TM,” OGS raises funds from optometrists, optometry practices, and optometry-related businesses and corporations to award annual grants for sustainable, impactful projects that expand the profession and improve access to vision care in underserved areas of the world. Since the grant program began, OGS has awarded more than 200 grants totaling more than $23 million.

This life-changing work would not be possible without your support.

The 2024 grantee organizations and projects funded are:

Optometry 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.

Nationwide Search Underway for Successor

July 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.