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Partnership Proves Optometry Cares
By mivison
September 1, 2008

Partnership Proves Optometry Cares


Optometry is to play a major global role in efforts to eliminate refractive error blindness and low vision following a recently-signed partnership between Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) and Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH International) in the U.S city of Seattle. Announcing the partnership, OGS spokesperson Jo Humphries said: "The cooperation reflects the unique and complimentary capacities, talents, expertise and relationships of each organization, which will greatly enhance optometry's ability to provide sustainable vision care services to
people in need of refractive error correction and low vision services.


"The Memorandum of Understanding recognises Optometry Giving Sight's special expertise in the raising of funds for programs to support the goals of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight in the area of uncorrected refractive error and VOSH International's activities in the design, implementation and
execution of such programs."


Under the terms of the agreement, Optometry Giving Sight will allocate a percentage of total donor funds raised in the United States to VOSH International for sustainable vision care projects that build local capacity and infrastructure. In addition, VOSH International will be able to apply for grant funds from the general grant pool when these are announced.


"Working cooperatively will vastly enhance the activities, profiles and reputations of both organizations and will permit access to shared resources," said Dr. Vic Connors, Chairman of
Optometry Giving Sight in the United States."


Professor Brien Holden, Global Executive Chair of Optometry Giving Sight said: "VOSH, the largest of the optometric initiatives that sprang up all over the world to provide vision care to people in need, is now expanding its role into a development agency, focusing on sustainable outcomes. With the dedicated VOSH team and the thousands of optometrists that take part in VOSH, moving to education and in-country development of services as well as service delivery, it will have a huge impact. This is a very important cooperation that will greatly benefit people in need, initially in the Americas, but eventually all over the world."