Pacific University College of Optometry students bring care and Specsavers sunglasses to Costa Rica

Back in February 2024, Pacific University College of Optometry student, Rheanne Van Spengen, approached us about a student service trip to Costa Rica. Partnering with AMIGOS Eye Care (SVOSH) and Costa Rica Humanitarian Foundation, the group of 12 students were set to provide eyecare to a community of 35,000+ Nicaraguan refugees.

We were moved by the optometry students’ drive to provide eyecare for an underserved population and, like the students, believe that comprehensive eyecare should be available for all. Our contribution to their cause included a donation to cover essential expenses and 150 pairs of Specsavers sunglasses for women, men and children. The range of sunglasses donated are essential to the community to protect eyes from harmful UV rays, especially in sunny regions like Costa Rica.

Returning from her trip, Rheanne Van Spengen, Canadian Association of Optometry Student president and student ambassador, shared her reflections.

"During March of 2024, AMIGOS Eye Care established a relationship with the Costa Rica Humanitarian Foundation to serve the people of the La Carpio community within San José. The La Carpio community is located on a 25 square kilometre former coffee plantation and is primarily made up of refugees of the 1972 earthquake and the subsequent revolution in Nicaragua that led to severe poverty and food scarcity. The community has now grown through multiple generations, and we found the people to be incredibly tenacious and warm in the face of the struggles and trauma they have faced.

Over the course of four clinic days, we served over 450 patients, placing 18 special orders for glasses and referring 15 patients for advanced specialty care. We were also able to diagnose and make appropriate treatment and referrals for two patients with keratoconus, a young child with large angle strabismus, two patients with pathological myopia, and more. Seeing the gratitude from the population we served is a reminder of why we continue to pursue humanitarian clinical care. Though the care itself was simple, it drove home the human aspect of the work that we do – to listen and to serve a population without access to care can have a profound impact, even if the clinical judgements we make seem routine."

We look forward to sharing more updates and incredible stories from students at Pacific University College of Optometry as they start out in their careers.