Latinos en Optometry

10/03/2025

We want to celebrate 🎉 our Culture, our Language and our VISION!! Happy

09/18/2025

Panel discussion on the prospects for diversity equity inclusion, and belonging in optometry underway

09/09/2025

Latinos en Optometry, in partnership with Transitions Optical, is proud to announce the release of Eyes on the Future: Exploring Career Paths in Optometry—a new guidebook designed to ignite interest in optometry and encourage the next generation of students to pursue rewarding careers in the field.

The guidebook offers a comprehensive look at 11 areas of specialization within the field, providing students and aspiring optometrists with essential information about each path. It outlines educational and clinical training requirements, highlights key professional associations, and includes select resources for deeper exploration. Most notably, the guide features firsthand insights from practicing optometrists who share what drew them to their specific specialties.

"Optometry has evolved into a vibrant profession with a wide array of opportunities for aspiring optometrists," says Howard Purcell, OD, President and CEO of the New England College of Optometry and co founder/Board Member of Latinos en Optometry. "Core areas like contact lenses, pediatrics and low vision care continue to be essential, while growing fields—oculomics, aesthetics, myopia management, dry eye management, neuro optometry, sports vision, and beyond—are opening new horizons through cutting edge technologies and innovative treatments. This dynamic landscape makes now an exciting time for students to explore the full spectrum of possibilities the profession has to offer."

Eyes on the Future: Exploring Career Paths in Optometry is available as a free digital download at https://latinosenoptometry.org/students/eyes-on-the-future-exploring-career-paths-in-optometry/

09/08/2025

The September edition of the “Cultural Responsiveness” blog by Latinos En Optometry and sponsored by VSP Vision features an insightful article written by Diana Canto-Sims, OD, co-Founder and Board Member of Latinos en Optometry.

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15), Dr. Canto-Sims reflects on her personal journey into optometry and the broader need for greater cultural responsiveness in serving Hispanic and Latino patients. With nearly 68 million Hispanics in the United States—representing 20% of the population—eye care professionals have a vital role to play in closing care gaps and building stronger patient trust.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Sponsored By Diana Canto-Sims, ODCo-Founder and Board Member, Latinos en Optometry Diana Canto-Sims, OD Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized each year from September 15 to October 15. The month-long recognition of the contributions and influence of Hispanic and L...

08/19/2025

Latinos en Optometry is proud to support this discussion on building a more inclusive and representative profession in eye care. Join us at Vision Expo!

08/12/2025

The August edition of the “Cultural Responsiveness” blog by Latinos en Optometry and sponsored by VSP Vision features an insightful article written by Ruth Shoge, OD, MPH, FAAO, Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Clinical Professor at the UC-Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science in Berkeley, CA,

In the article, Dr. Shoge explores how optometry practices can more effectively recruit and retain a diverse pool of employees, helping to build a workforce that reflects—and better serves—the communities around them.
Check it out, along with previous blogs at

Cultural Responsiveness Sponsored By Recruitment and Retention: Strategies to Attract and Retain a Diverse Workforce August 12, 2025 At their heart, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are aimed at making sure that we are creating a sustainable workforce that is going to meet the need...

07/09/2025

The July edition of the “Cultural Responsiveness” blog by Latinos en Optometry and sponsored by VSP Vision Care Vision highlights an article written by Amelia Barwise, MB, B*h, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Ethics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

In her article, Dr. Barwise highlights that language barriers pose considerable challenges for patients when interacting with the health care system. Indeed, studies conducted in hospital intensive care unit and other critical care environments have demonstrated that language barriers lead to poorer health outcomes. Read her blog at

A Matter of Interpretation Sponsored By Amelia K. Barwise, MB, B*h, PhD Amelia K. Barwise, MB, B*h, PhD Language barriers present significant challenges for patients in their interactions with the health care system. Research conducted in hospital intensive care unit (ICU) and other critical care se...

06/11/2025

The June edition of the “Cultural Responsiveness” blog by Latinos En Optometry and sponsored by VSP Vision Care highlights an article written by Bryce St. Clair, OD, MPH, FAAO, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, MD.

In his article, Dr. St. Clair emphasizes the significance of tailoring care to individual patients by considering their cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. He draws from his firsthand experiences of delivering care to immigrant and refugee communities in Houston, Texas, Columbus, Ohio, and currently in Baltimore, Maryland to share valuable insights.

Dr. St. Clair emphasizes the importance of optometrists demonstrating a vested interest in establishing connections with their patients in order to deliver more patient-centered eye care. He believes that building trust in every doctor-patient interaction is essential for patients to adhere to medical recommendations. In his article, he offers several actions optometrists and staff can implement to ensure all patients experience a sense of being welcomed and valued in their care.

Dr. St. Clair’s blog is available on the Latinos en Optometry website

Individualizing Optometry Care to all Patient Populations Sponsored By Bryce St. Clair, OD, MPH Bryce St. Clair, OD, MPH There are so many ways in optometric practice that we customize treatment options to the patient’s age, disease severity, and ocular characteristics. Similarly, we also need to ...

05/06/2025

May is Healthy Vision Month. In our new Cultural Responsiveness blog, Latinos en Optometry Advisory Board member Dr. Diana Shechtman advises practitioners that it is imperative to remember that eye diseases disproportionally affect minority populations, particularly African American and Hispanic communities. She offers some strategies eye care professionals can use to help at-risk patients access the care they need.

Prioritizing Eye Health Across Cultures Sponsored By May 6, 2025 Diana L. Shechtman, OD, FAAO Diana L. Shechtman, OD, FAAO As we enter Healthy Vision Month, it is imperative to remember that eye diseases disproportionately affect minority populations, particularly African American and Hispanic commu...

04/23/2025

In this episode of "Dueling Perspectives" Latinos en Optometry Board member Dr. Diana Shechtman hosts a discussion on myopia management with Latinos en Optometry Board member Dr. Glenda Aleman Moheeputh and Dr. Chandler Mann.

They explore their personal journeys into the field, the challenges practitioners face, and the importance of education and awareness in managing myopia. The conversation delves into various treatment modalities, including FDA-approved options, and the significance of tools like topographers in effective myopia management.

In this episode, Dr. Diana Shetman hosts a discussion on myopia management with Dr. Glenda Aleman Moheeputh and Dr. Chandler Mann. They explore their persona...

04/08/2025

The April edition of the “Cultural Responsiveness” blog by Latinos en Optometry and sponsored by VSP Vision features an article by Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, President and CEO of New England College of Optometry (NECO). In his article, Dr. Purcell discusses the importance of integrating cultural awareness into all aspects of optometric training. He emphasizes the significance of preparing students to effectively serve a diverse population by incorporating cultural sensitivity into their education.

Dr. Purcell’s blog is available on the Latinos en Optometry website at https://latinosenoptometry.org/news/cultural-responsiveness/.

Non-members of Latinos en Optometry who are interested in accessing the complimentary blog can subscribe at https://latinosenoptometry.org/newsletter/.

04/02/2025

Patients and healthcare providers are increasingly likely, both now, and in the future, to enter clinical encounters characterized by a wide array of cross-cultural needs, perspectives, traditions, values, expectations, and practices.

On Friday, February 21, 2025, a panel discussion was held at Vision Expo East in Orlando, FL. Featuring:

Angelica Cifuentes, , O.D.
Board Member, Latinos en Optometry
Jesse Dominguez, OD
Marvin Davenport,
Chief Diversity Officer, VSP Vision

The panel was proudly supported by VSP Vision and moderated by Howard Purcell, OD, F.A.A.O., Diplomate and FNAP, President and CEO of the New England College of Optometry (NECO) and co-Founder Latinos en Optometry.

You can watch the video at

Cultural Responsiveness Improving health outcomes and quality of care by meeting the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of patients. Patients and healthcare providers are increasingly likely, both now, and in the future, to enter clinical encounters characterized by a wide array of cross-cultura...