At just seven years old, Syamthanda’s world was blurry—literally. Like many children at Sunnyvale Primary in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, she had never had an eye exam. She struggled in class, squinting to read her assignments, falling behind despite her bright mind. What she didn’t realize was that poor vision was holding her back from reaching her full potential. But, thanks to a grant from Optometry Giving Sight, Syamthanda is thriving in school and at home!
That all changed thanks to the One School at a Time Programme, made possible by a grant from Optometry Giving Sight to the African Eye Institute. For the first time, Syamthanda received an eye test, a moment filled with excitement and possibility. The results were clear—she needed eyeglasses. When she finally put them on, her world sharpened into focus. Suddenly, the words on the page were crisp, the classroom felt inviting, and her confidence soared.
Her teacher, Miss J. Pillay, immediately noticed the difference. No longer hesitant or withdrawn, Syamthanda participated enthusiastically, read confidently, and completed assignments with ease. The transformation extended beyond the classroom—at home, her parents beamed as they watched her eagerly read, a joy they had never seen before. Even her classmates admired her glasses, reinforcing her newfound sense of empowerment.
Yet for many families like Syamthanda’s, vision care is a luxury they simply can’t afford. That’s why funding programs like Optometry Giving Sight are critical. They ensure that access to basic healthcare, like eye exams and glasses, isn’t a privilege but a right—one that can change lives, one child and one school at a time.
Syamthanda’s journey is proof that a simple pair of glasses can unlock a lifetime of opportunity. And with continued support, countless other children will get the chance to see the world more clearly—and step boldly into their futures.
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.”
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.
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.
When the call went out for optometry practices to participate in our annual World Sight Day Challenge, 
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.