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Optometry Giving Sight merges into BHVI
The Global Board of Optometry Giving Sight announced that it will merge its operations into the Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation.
The groups will work together to achieve more significant and sustained outcomes to benefit the millions of people who are needlessly blind or vision impaired simply because they cannot access an eye exam and glasses from a qualified optometrist, according to the joint press release.
“Support for public eye health has changed enormously since 2003 when Professor Brien Holden first established Optometry Giving Sight in partnership with the World Council of Optometry and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness,” Juan Carlos Aragon, OD, chair of Optometry Giving Sight, said in the release. “Optometry Giving Sight has done an incredible job over the past 14 years in mobilizing resources from the global optometric profession and industry to support more than 117 high-impact eye and vision care projects in 39 countries around the world.”
The goal is to ensure the campaign can continue to grow and develop, he continued.
“The board feels this can be done most effectively as part of the Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation,” he said.
Optometry Giving Sight staff will remain working in the merged organization. Clive Miller completed his role as Optometry Giving Sight CEO in December and will now serve as global head of philanthropy for the foundation.
“We have always regarded Optometry Giving Sight as a part of the Brien Holden Vision Institute family,” Kovin Naidoo, BSc, BOptom, MPH, OD, PhD, FAAO, FBCO, CEO of BHVI, said in the release. “By merging our operations, we become more effective and gain the opportunity to maximize the resources that we can dedicate to key program areas.”