The Vision Impact Institute has collaborated with a group of six global eye care organisations to provide eye care services to vulnerable populations in Panama.
The group planned to provide eye exams, glasses, diagnose vision problems, gather data, and create awareness of vision health to Guna Nega’s native population of 1,500, until the end of 2022.
The partnership included the Lions Club Penonome, Panama’s Universidad Especializada de las Americas (UDELAS), The School of Optometry at Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Essilor’s Vision for Life, Optometry Giving Sight and VOSH International.
Judith Williams, program manager at UDELAS, commented: ‘The goal of this collaboration of NGOs, academics, and philanthropists – reaching those who may have no other opportunity to see well – speaks volumes to our commitment to creating a world that prioritizes good vision for all.’
Drs. Héctor Santiago and Damaris Pagán from the School of Optometry of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico said: ‘In addition to providing humanitarian services, the data obtained will allow us to determine the characteristics of refractive errors and visual health of this community.’
