MANAGUA, Nicaragua—In June of this year, the very first optometry students graduated from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN). After completing a five-year program, it was a proud day for the students and their families—and a momentous one for the future of eyecare in Nicaragua.
The graduating class of 20 new, locally trained optometrists can now provide sustainable vision care services to an estimated 1 million people, representing 17 percent of the entire population, who are needlessly vision impaired—many of whom are children.
“Optometry Giving Sight is delighted to have been a key partner in this project, thanks to the support it receives from its donors and sponsors,” said Clive Miller, Optometry Giving Sight’s CEO.
To assist the optometry school’s development, a program called VOSH Corps was created. ODS from the U.S. are being recruited to raise the level of optometric education in the developing world.
The first VOSH Corps placement was Dr. Justin Manning, a recent graduate from the Ohio State University College of Optometry. The Optometry Giving Sight funded VOSH Corps lecturer at UNAN weighed in on the importance of the new program saying, “It is one thing if I can treat one individual patient in practice or the clinic; it’s another thing to empower someone else to be able to do that.”
World Sight Day is on Oct. 13, but the Challenge will be continuing throughout the month of October. For those interested in making a donation, go to www.givingsight.org.