April 29, 2025
UMSL’s chapter of Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH) sends optometry students to schools, Native American reservations, and refugee institutions across the country to provide free eye care. Clinics serve up to 1,000 patients over several days, with a 90–95% need rate for glasses. Students perform exams alongside licensed optometrists and deliver glasses on-site, gaining clinical experience while addressing a critical healthcare gap.
Supported by the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, students pay nothing to participate. The program prepares them for real-world practice with high patient volume and diverse cases. Faculty advisor Dr. Tareq Nabhan says the model could scale nationally, offering both immediate impact for patients and lasting perspective for students.
