The Optical Foundation

01/01/2026

As we welcome 2026, we are grateful for the people, partnerships, and connections that bring The Optical Foundation’s work to life around the world.

Our goal is to make eye care accessible in the developing world through comprehensive eye exams, education, and research, while also creating meaningful opportunities for optometry students to learn, serve, and grow. Together, we are expanding access to care and helping shape the next generation of eye care leaders.

Thank you for being part of this community. Wishing you a Happy New Year and looking forward to continuing this work together in 2026.

02/12/2025

This Giving Tuesday, help us bring vision to life!
Millions of people around the world lack access to basic eye care, leaving children unable to
learn and adults unable to work to their full potential. At The Optical Foundation, we
believe that clear sight changes lives.
Your donation today helps us support sustainable eye-care programs that create lasting
impact.
Donate now and be part of a brighter future: https://www.theopticalfoundation.com/donate

Support our growth Donation Block Set up a payment processor to start receiving donations. $10.00 $20.00 $30.00 $40.00 Custom Amount Please enter an amount $ Donate Donate

24/11/2025

We are thrilled to announce Raphael Baffour Kyei as the winner of the 2025 The Optical Foundation Early Career Award — Raphael is a visionary young leader transforming eye care and preventing avoidable blindness across Ghana and beyond.

Raphael’s journey is rooted in a mission to prevent blindness through education, clinical care, and community outreach. He previously served as a Mandela Washington Fellow at the University of Nevada, Reno, having been selected among the top 1% of Ghanaian applicants for this prestigious U.S. Department of State program recognizing Africa’s most impactful emerging leaders.

His excellence has been recognized at home as well: the Ghana Optometric Association named him the Best Optometrist in the Greater Accra Zone and Best Private Sector Entrepreneur in the Greater Accra Zone, and he ranked second nationally in both categories — achievements that reflect his growing influence in advancing eye health in Africa.

A Leader Building Systems That Last

A dedicated optometrist, entrepreneur, and public health advocate, our awardee has built an extraordinary career centred on expanding access to quality eye care. As the founder and CEO of Lenzvision Opticals & Eye Care, he has grown a once self-funded dream into a thriving organization with two branches, a team of over 10 staff including full-time optometrists. His clinics have managed more than 7,000 eye cases and through community outreach, he has also provided eye care education and services to over 2,000 people in underserved communities.

A Digital Force for Eye Health

His leadership extends to the digital space as well — Lenzvision is now Ghana’s most-followed eye care organization on Instagram, with over 25,000 followers and a reach of more than 100,000 individuals. His commitment to public education has led to multiple appearances on national media as a trusted voice for eye health.

A Track Record of Service & Leadership

His passion for optometry began during university, where he served as P.R.O., Vice President, and Acting President of the Optometry Students Association of Ghana. He led the World Sight Day Committee and volunteered with organizations such as Unite for Sight, Vision Aid Overseas, and Helping Africa Foundation, providing screenings and education in rural areas.
Raphael’s growing influence has earned him recognition from the World Council of Optometry, the UNFPA, and leadership positions within national optometric committees — becoming the youngest optometrist to serve alongside senior professionals. His commitment to mentorship continues to shape the next generation of eye care leaders.

Looking Ahead

Winning The Optical Foundation's Early Career Award for Outstanding Contributions in Optometry, which comes with a one-year mentorship in the eye care industry, marks a strategic step toward scaling his mission.
He aims to strengthen sustainability, expand access to care, and continue driving innovation in line with the Foundation's mission of making eye care accessible across the developing world.

Join us in congratulating the 2025 The Optical Foundation Early Career Award winner Raphael Baffour Kyei!

His journey is just beginning, and the future of eye care in Africa is brighter because of his vision.

19/03/2025

This is a call for nominations for candidates for The Optical Foundation Early Career Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Optometry 2025 Award.
This annual award will be presented to an individual less than 6 years post-graduation who has made a significant contribution to the practice and development of optometry and/or the visual enhancement of the public.
Nominations for candidates need to be submitted to The Optical Foundation Advisory Committee no later than July 1st, 2025 12:00 GMT.

Refer to the website for more information and requirements for nominations. https://www.theopticalfoundation.com/early-career-award

08/03/2025

Celebrating the Power of Vision and Women Leading Change!

This International Women’s Day 2025, The Optical Foundation is proud to honour the incredible women who are reshaping the future of eye care around the globe. Women like Dr. Philipa Asantewaa Larbi, recipient of the 2023 TOF Early Career Award, who are breaking barriers, inspiring generations, and delivering transformative eye health services to communities in need.

Through accelerate action we believe that empowering women is key to creating sustainable change. When women thrive, entire communities benefit—education flourishes, healthcare improves, and vision care reaches those who need it most. From Africa to Asia and beyond, women are leading the charge in eradicating preventable blindness and improving lives through sight.

At TOF, we are committed to fostering a world where more women step into leadership roles, innovate in eye health, and mentor the next generation of change makers. Together, with our remarkable partners, we are lighting the path to a future where every woman has the vision, the power, and the opportunity to succeed.

This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women who see beyond limits and work every day to ensure that sight is a right, not a privilege.

28/10/2024

Please join us in congratulating Samson Darrah on winning the 2024 The Optical Foundation Early Career Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Optometry!

Samson distinguished himself through his remarkable achievements and dedication to advancing eye health, research, and mentorship. His work stands as an inspiring testament to impactful community service and academic excellence.

While studying at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Samson’s research on "Conjunctival Flora and Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Individuals" became a valuable contribution to understanding eye health among diabetic patients in Ghana and influencing care strategies.

Beyond research, Samson founded iCare Network Ghana, providing free eye care services to underserved communities and directly improving vision health for over 2,000 individuals. His leadership extends to empowering more than 150 volunteers, including optometry students, to serve their communities.

In his role as Vice President for the Student Volunteers for Optometric Service to Humanity at KNUST, and as Social Media Manager for the Ghana Optometric Association, Samson has advocated tirelessly for eye health, utilizing his graphic design and media skills to reach even more individuals.

His mentorship efforts are equally inspiring, supporting peers and students in securing fully funded scholarships and guiding the next generation of optometrists through a platform he developed to connect students with global opportunities. Notably, his guidance has helped secure fully funded PhD and undergraduate scholarships, exemplifying his commitment to fostering future leaders.

Samson’s dedication to advancing optometry led to his involvement in establishing the HM KNUST Low Vision Center, providing training to students, enhancing curriculum content, and supervising research projects. Recognised with awards such as the Outstanding Male Volunteer Award from KNUST and the Sigma Xi Travel Fellowship, Samson’s achievements underscore his enduring impact on the field.

Please join us in celebrating this inspiring young leader who embodies The Optical Foundation’s mission of advancing vision health and optometry education worldwide! 🌍👓

17/10/2024

Exciting News for Optometry Students worldwide!

We’re thrilled to have launched The Optical Foundation Community on Momo Board – a space created just for optometry students and early career optometrists! Whether you're navigating your future options, preparing for exams, looking for someone to collaborate with (regardless of where in the world they are located) looking to connect with future colleagues, this is the perfect place to:

- Exchange knowledge
- Share resources
- Get tips from peers & professionals
- Build lifelong connections

Join us and become part of a growing global network that’s shaping the future of optometry! Let's learn, grow, and succeed together.

Join today and start your journey with The Optical Foundation Community on Momo Board. https://theopticalfoundation.com/community/

11/10/2024

We're proud to showcase our newest initiative: a dynamic hub for optometry and vision science professionals to network, exchange insights, and discover new opportunities. Whether you're looking for Q&A sessions, career advice, or academic resources, this is your go to platform!

In acknowledging all the hard work that has gone into shaping this platform we want to recognise Owoahene (Owi) Owusu Mensah for his contributions to The Optical Foundation Community on Momo Board, Owi, a passionate optometrist who has shown unwavering dedication to enhancing eye care in Ghana even before joining the board in 2023.

In acknowledging all the hard work that has gone into shaping this platform we want to recognise Owoahene (Owi) Owusu Mensah for his contributions to The Optical Foundation Community on Momo Board. Owi is a passionate optometrist who has shown unwavering dedication to enhancing eye care in Ghana even before joining the board in 2023. As a practitioner of optometry in Netherlands, Owi has lots of insights on practicing in the field of optometry in Europe. In addition to practicing optometry he is currently also working as a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht to inspire the new generation of Optometrists!

Join now to be part of this collaborative community initiative https://theopticalfoundation.com/community/ Stay tuned for videos showcasing the multitude of resources this platform offers to share with your industry peers!

10/10/2024

Today, October 10th, we join the global community to highlight the joy of clear vision, especially for
our children. This year’s theme, “Children, Love Your Eyes”, is all about ensuring our little ones see
the world in all its beauty and vibrant colours.

An uncorrected vision impairment can significantly impact a child’s education and having access to
eye exams and spectacles can boost a child’s education and confidence.
At The Optical Foundation, we believe every child deserves the magic of clear sight and a bright future and we don’t want anything to stand in the way of making learning accessible for all!

Join us in making a difference! We invite parents, caregivers, schools and anyone to pledge an eye
test for a young person.

Take the pledge today and together, we can change lives and open up a world of
possibilities for the millions of children globally who need eye care.
In helping create a brighter,
clearer future for these children we are automatically paving the way for future generations.

08/10/2024

We’re thrilled to introduce The Optical Foundation Community on Momo Board, a collaborative space for optometry and vision science professionals to connect, share and obtain relevant information. From Q&A to career guidance, this platform has it all!

Before you rush off to sign up, we want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Nutifafa Esther Anuwa-Amarh, for her efforts as co-project leader for this initiative. Nutifafa is a Ghanaian-trained optometrist and a vision science PhD candidate at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is passionate about making eye care accessible in Ghana whilst driving the local development of education and research in the field of Optometry. Nutifafa is a past TOF Frans Oosterhof travel grant awardee and was featured this year by the US embassy in Ghana page on International Day of Women and girls in science. She is a dedicated supporter of TOF and continues to inspire us all.

Stay tuned for videos showcasing the exciting features of our new platform! Join and invite your industry colleagues to join and contribute. https://theopticalfoundation.com/community/

04/10/2024

We are excited to unveil our newest initiative: The Optical Foundation Community on Momo Board! This collaborative space is all about information sharing for and by individuals in optometry and vision science.

We have to give a very special shout out to Young Kim, who played a pivotal role in starting this project. Young joined TOF in April 2022 and has been tirelessly working to bring this community platform to life. With a PhD in Vision Science from UC Berkeley and a passion sparked during his undergraduate studies, Young is dedicated to advancing vision care and creating opportunities for future optometrists and vision scientists.

Join and be part of this vibrant, supportive community! https://theopticalfoundation.com/community/ Stay tuned for videos showcasing the cool things we can do together.

02/10/2024

Exciting News! The Optical Foundation is excited to present its newest initiative: The Optical Foundation Community on Momo Board! This collaborative space is designed for individuals in the field of optometry and vision science to share and find information, furthering our community's endeavours.

In our Momo Board community, you can:
• Ask or answer questions
• Offer or request feedback on resumes
• Find or share information about career and study options in optometry
• Network with optometrists and vision scientists across the world

Tailored specifically for the optometry and vision science community, this is safe, reliable, and trustworthy environment where you can share optometry related information, videos, and experiences. Think of this platform as a mix of MS Teams, Slack, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

We'll be posting some videos on social media soon to show you some of the cool things we can do together. The more we collectively put into it, the more we will all get from it.

Follow the link if you want to find out more or join us on Momo Board and be part of a vibrant, supportive community! https://theopticalfoundation.com/community/

Our Community   Together we can create new opportunities for all of us Make a Donation Join Our Community Sign up to join The Optical Foundation Community on MOMO Board! First and Last Name Email Address New Field New Field I am an Optometrist, Vision Scientist, or Optometry/Vision Science student ...