LEARNING IN FOCUS

- Training the Next Generation of Optometrists -

By Standing Voice

May 21^st, 2018

This February, Standing Voice delivered a three-day workshop training local optometrists to understand and treat visual impairment among people with albinism.

Dr Rebecca Kammer, Standing Voice’s Vision Programme Director, was in attendance to lead in the delivery of training. Over three days, participants observed presentations in vision function and low vision exams from Dr Kammer, before using their new knowledge to take part in role play exams. Each of our existing programme optometrists were asked to nominate, and then mentor, a new optometrist in the care of low vision patients.

Following the workshop, trainees joined the Standing Voice team to deliver low vision care to 50 students at Mkolani School and Lake View School.

We were delighted to be joined by Dr. Edi Onyinye, an optometrist from Nigeria, who travelled to Tanzania to attend the training. She expressed interest in our programme as a model of best practice, with a view to her leading on future replication in Nigeria.

Overall, there was a notable improvement in the knowledge of participants who attended the training. Trainees' skills and understanding of the low vision of people with albinism were observed to have increased significantly. This workshop was another step forward for Standing Voice in our effort to build a network of optometrists equipped to provide specialist care for persons with albinism in Tanzania.

Following this training event, the Standing Voice team travelled to Shinyanga to deliver a large-scale vision clinic to 322 patients. Over 3 days, 176 prescription glasses were prescribed.

“Without Standing Voice, the past few years would have been very different and I really appreciate their presence in our lives. Today I met doctors and was given devices that I could not have purchased on my own.”

Evangelist Gasper William, 43, Patient

2018 has got off to great start for our Vision Programme, which is leading the way for vision care for people with albinism in Tanzania. We can’t wait to see what the rest of this year holds!