At EYE Health Centre, we believe strongly in giving back to the community and caring for the eyes of all those in need. Outreach programs represent an opportunity to show the community the level of commitment our optometrists have to their community.
Nicaragua 2018
Nicaragua 2018: When Dr. Motkoski was still a student doctor; she travelled with two doctors and eight other optometry students to Nicaragua in March 2018. The group travelled to many cities in Nicaragua including Managua, Jinotega, San Jorge and Ometepe Island. In 4 days of clinic the group was able to see over 540 patients. Essential supplies like eyeglasses, sunglasses and medical drops were provided to patients that needed them. The Eye Health Centre was one of the sponsors and the trip was organized by Amigos Eye Care which is a chapter of VOSH.
Belize 2017
Belize 2017 : In August 2017, Dr. Motkoski (still an optometry student at the time) travelled with four doctors and six other optometry students to San Ignacio, Belize to provide eye care to underserved communities. In 4 days of clinic this group was able to see over 400 patients. They provided glasses, sunglasses, and ocular medications to those who required them as well as connected individuals with local health care providers who could provide more continual care. The mission was organized by Amigos Eye Care which is a chapter of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) and the Eye Health Centre was one of the gracious sponsors of this trip.
Malawi 2017
Canadian Vision Care would like to express our appreciation to Dr Samuel Boucher and Dr Sophie Jobin from the St-Albert region of Alberta, for their donation of 20 trial lense kits for the School of Optometry at the University of Malawi. This will allow the students to practice refractions at the school and be able to do outreach clinics. The school has graduated 32 optometrists to date. This is in a country of 17 million with a surrounding area of 50 million who had previously no optometrists. It is with the kindness shown by the optometry profession that this school is thriving in Malawi. These two doctors have assisted the young optometrists to train and do thousands of eye exams that otherwise could not be done without their donation. THANK YOU!
Costa Rica 2015
In February 2015, Drs Boucher and Jobin took their family to Costa Rica to provide eyecare in some remote areas. The mission, organized by Canadian Vision Care and the local Costa Rican Lions Club International, brought a team of 4 doctors (including yours truly!), 4 technicians and 4 kids on 3 days of humanitarian work. 800 eye exams were provided, some 300 pairs of glasses dispensed, eye diseases were treated and referals were made for surgical care. All free of charge. An experience we won't forget and look forward to repeating!