Seva Foundation

ICYMI: Seva and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) released a breakthrough report on children’s global learning and economic productivity losses from uncorrected refractive error in schools. Our biggest takeaway? Children with refractive error are learning less in school, and it’s accumulating into something BIG. We break down this eye-opening finding (and how to address it) in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/gFwqspYB

Seva is thrilled to be attending Rotary Zones 33/34's 2024 Zone Summit in Pittsburgh, PA, advocating for what we do best -- helping restore sight! After all, Seva's founders ended smallpox, Rotary is trying to end polio...maybe we can end avoidable blindness together!  #BuildingBridgesinRotary

Seva has partnered with Remidio to expand access to wide-field retinal imaging with the development of the Pristine 5.0 camera. Remidio is hosting a webinar this Thursday 10/24 that will include Dr. Olena Hurzhii's work with peripheral retinal lesions in Kyiv, Ukraine. Please join this informative and inspiring session to learn more!  Register here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/gjxnfWnj

As protests continue in Bangladesh, Seva's worldwide network is on the front lines, offering crucial support to those directly affected. Working with Professor Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh, the Seva Foundation is delivering essential eye care services to individuals suffering from eye injuries, visual impairment, and blindness caused by the current political unrest. "Seva’s relationship with Professor Yunus dates back to 2005. As a fellow champion for serving those in need, Seva was proud to answer his call as interim Prime Minister, consulting nearly 300 patients across four hospitals in the country," said Kate Moynihan, Seva's Executive Director and CEO. "Our regional network collaborated with the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Ophthalmology (NIO) to mobilize the expertise and resources needed to provide advanced care. This remains a dynamic and unique situation, and we continue to adapt our response as new information becomes available."

Attention #AAO2024 attendees! Don’t forget to make tomorrow morning’s #WomenLeadersinEyeHealth coffee session “Empowering Diverse Voices: Gender Equity in Eye Health.” ☕ 🗣️ Moderated by Dr. Rosa Balcells, this session will examine how diverse gender perspectives can benefit the way healthcare professionals are geting work done, and ultimately result in more equitable policies. Thanks to our partners Women in Ophthalmology, Orbis International, and American Academy of Ophthalmology for helping co-organize this gathering of illuminating minds! #AAO2024 #Ophthalmology #AAOFoundation #AAOYO

Your support can make an even greater impact! Many companies support charitable giving through matching gifts programs. That means you AND your employer could help support Seva’s mission of ending avoidable blindness. Learn more about employee giving and matching gifts: www.seva.org/matching

On the outskirts of Totonicapan, Guatemala, 21-year-old Victoria Isabel resides with her mother and father, weaving beautiful traditional textiles to sell at the market. For an entire year, Victoria lived with cataracts in both her eyes, which severely limited her eyesight, ability to work, and self-confidence. “I’d keep my head down so no one could see my eyes with cataracts,” she explained. “[People] would laugh at me.” When her mother saw a flyer for one of Seva’s partner eye clinics, it was like a light shining down on them from above. Through a Seva-supported program, as well as our dedicated donors, Victoria was able to receive a life-changing cataract surgery to restore her vision. “I noticed the light during surgery and was feeling so happy.” This #WorldSightDay, we invite you to learn more about Victoria’s story, and embrace the joy that comes with restored vision, independence, and an outlook for tomorrow: https://lnkd.in/grivwnvg

To mark World Sight Day, Seva and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) have uncovered some eye-opening learnings on children’s eye health. New research has revealed just how costly poor vision is for children’s learning and, in effect, the economy. How? Seva Chief Economist Brad Wong breaks it down in this video. Read more details in our latest blog: www.seva.org/childeyestudy

ICYMI: Seva Board of Directors member Dr. Martin Spencer was honored with the Dr. G. Venkataswamy Memorial Award 👏👏 Named after ARAVIND EYE CARE SYSTEM Founder Dr. G. Venkataswamy, the award recognizes and honors individuals who have significantly contributed towards the goal of eliminating avoidable blindness in the community. Watch Dr. Spencer’s acceptance speech and the entire award ceremony here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/g-D4ZT7e

Seva’s Chief Programs Officer, Heidi Chase, was recently invited to attend the laying of the foundation stone for a new eye hospital in Quiché, Guatemala, and had these highlights to share ✈️ 🇬🇹 🧱 Located in the central highlands and surrounded by two mountain ranges, Quiché is as isolated as it is beautiful. This means essential health care, including vision, is simply not a reality for the majority of people who live here. But through science, dedication, and your support – a difference is being made. With our partner Visualiza, as well as the Quiché community, Seva broke ground on the construction of a new eye hospital for the region. Established as part of our Guatemala Brillando plan, Quiché Hospital will be staffed by the local community to provide eye care services to 15,000+ people, contributing to our nationwide initiative to eliminate avoidable blindness for the entire country. Learn more: www.seva.org/wa83eb