2017 VOSH Texas Yearly Report

Once again, we close out the year on a positive note.  We had three clinics at our facility in the town of Guerrero (State of Chihuahua) Mexico.

Spring clinic (March)

    28 US VOSH and 61 Mexican volunteers including ophthalmologists, ODs, and SVOSH students.
    Screened 1,764 patients - 1,056 in Guerrero and 708 in 22 county locations.
    Surgeons performed 202 cataract procedures, 2 pterigia, 24 YAG laser and 12 Argon laser treatments.

During the week preceding our clinic, a group of VOSH members from Virginia and Ohio used our facility to conduct their own vision clinic, a practice that we hope to continue with other VOSH chapters.

Summer clinic (July)    

    37 US VOSH and 59 Mexican volunteers including ophthalmologists, ODs and SVOSH students.
    Screened 433 patients in Guerrero.
    215 pairs of glasses were dispensed.
    Surgeons performed 109 cataract surgeries, 6 iridotomies and 5 YAGs.
    Our retinal specialist did 33 retinal services including 12 Argon laser treatments. 

Also in the summer, a plastic surgery team used our facility and performed 47 cleft/palate surgeries and 32 minor surgeries.

Fall clinic (September)

    15 US VOSH and 60 Mexican volunteers including ophthalmologists, ODs, dentists, an OBGYN and one pediatrician.
    Screened 650 eye patients.
    Dispensed 243 prescription glasses.
    Surgeons performed 177 cataract surgeries, 60 retinal referrals, 18 YAG lasers, and 23 Argon lasers,
    248 dental procedures, 143 women treated (OBGYN), and 47 children (pediatrician).

VOSH International meeting (Oct)

Dr. Jerry Vincent, the keynote speaker, attended the first VOSH Mexico in 1981. The 1981 clinic was led by VOSH Texas's current president, Dr. Tom Pruett.  Jerry shared that his experience in Mexico directed his optometric future into providing for the unserved.

He stressed the importance of student involvement in VOSH clinics.      

VOSH Texas was asked to present and Walter Branson, Guerrero Clinic Administrator, spoke to the International group about our Guerrero clinics and invited participation.  The Guerrero clinic encourages SVOSH optometry students to attend and has had participation by students almost since the clinic began.  Students from the University of Houston, SUNY and UMSL have most recently attended

Membership in VOSH Texas 

The yearly dues of $35 for VOSH Texas are used to support VOSH international and to subsidize the costs of trips for optometry (SVOSH) students. You do not need to be an optometriest to join VOSH Texas.  The application can be downloaded using the link.  

If you do not wish to become a member, but would still like to support our clinics and students, please click here to go to our "Donate" page.