Latinos en Optometry

Many students are unaware of the wide range of career opportunities available in healthcare—especially professions like optometry that combine science, healthcare, technology, and patient care.

To help expand awareness and support career exploration, Latinos en Optometry is offering FREE membership for educators, including middle and high school teachers, school counselors, and administrators.

Members receive access to educational resources, career exploration materials, and tools designed to help students learn about careers in optometry and vision care.

If you work with students and are passionate about helping them explore future possibilities, we invite you to join us.

Together, we can help inspire the next generation of optometrists.

Join here: https://latinosenoptometry.org/join/

As Cataract Awareness Month draws attention to one of the leading causes of vision impairment, Latinos en Optometry is highlighting the growing burden of cataracts in the United States and the factors that influence outcomes among Hispanic and Latino patients. According to a press release, the latest installment of their Cultural Responsiveness blog series by Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO, addresses the issue.

Latinos en Optometry Highlights Patient Care Challenges With Cataract Conexiant Vision: Delivering trusted clinical content, deep audience engagement, and educational resources for eye care professionals. Discover more through our magazines, newsletters, and events.

June is Cataract Awareness Month.

We’ve published a new blog authored by Dr. Paul Karpecki, a nationally recognized optometrist with more than three decades of experience in cornea and external disease.

The piece looks at the growing prevalence of cataracts in the United States and what it means for Hispanic and Latino patients.

While cataracts are a routine part of care, how patients move from diagnosis to treatment is not always straightforward. This blog highlights some of the factors that can influence that process, including access to care, communication, and patient understanding.

It also touches on the role family often plays in decision-making within Hispanic/Latino communities—and how that can impact follow-through with care.

Read and share!

Cataract Awareness Month: Prevalence and What It Means for Hispanic/Latino Patients - Latinos en Optometry Cataract Awareness Month: Prevalence and What It Means for Hispanic/Latino Patients Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO By: Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO June is Cataract Awareness Month, a reminder that while cataracts are a routine part of clinical care, their growing prevalence—and how that burden is experienced...

We’re looking forward to connecting with colleagues, students, and friends of the profession at Optometry’s Meeting next month.

Latinos en Optometry, with support from VSP Vision Care, invites you to join us for Conexiones in Optometry: Building Community — an informal afternoon of networking, conversation, and meaningful connection.

Come meet members of the Latinos en Optometry Board, connect with fellow eye care professionals and students, and learn more about the work being done to support greater awareness, opportunity, and engagement within optometry.

📍 Russo Italian
2 E. Jefferson St. #113
Phoenix, AZ
📅 June 19
🕓 4:00–6:00 PM
No RSVP is required, but feel free to comment below to let us know if you can make it. We hope to see you there!

https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/latinos-en-optometry-expands-early-career-awareness-with-new-student-tool Latinos en Optometry has introduced a new student-focused activity aimed at helping middle school and early high school students consider whether a career in optometry may be a good fit.

Latinos en Optometry expands early career awareness with new student tool | Optometry Times - Clinical News & Expert Optometrist Insights vailable in both English and Spanish, the activity is designed to help students reflect on their interests, preferences, and strengths.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often associated with its immediate neurological effects—but many patients experience ongoing visual symptoms that can go unrecognized.

In our latest Cultural Responsiveness series, we’re highlighting how TBI may affect Hispanic and Latino communities—and why communication, language, and family involvement can play an important role in identifying symptoms and supporting recovery.

Research suggests that up to 60–70% of individuals with TBI experience vision-related issues during recovery, including headaches, dizziness, light sensitivity, and difficulty reading.

This month’s featured author, Dr. DeAnn Fitzgerald—past president of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association—has lectured nationally on concussion and neuro-rehabilitation and is widely recognized for advancing understanding of how brain injury affects visual function and recovery.

Read the full article https://latinosenoptometry.org/traumatic-brain-injury-in-hispanic-communities-why-awareness-and-communication-matter-for-optometrists/

As optometrists are often among the providers patients see most regularly, recognizing these patterns—and asking a few additional questions—can make a meaningful difference in patient outcomes.

Take a few minutes to read this—and consider sharing it with colleagues or others in your network.

Traumatic Brain Injury in Hispanic Communities: Why Awareness and Communication Matter for Optometrists - Latinos en Optometry Traumatic Brain Injury in Hispanic Communities: Why Awareness and Communication Matter for Optometrists DeAnn Fitzgerald, ODImmediate Past Presidemt, Neuro Optometric Rehabiitation Association By: Deann Fitzgerald, OD Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health concern in the United....

Better outcomes don’t just come from the diagnosis—they come from the conversation.

At Vision Expo, we brought together leaders in optometry to talk about improving communication and outcomes in chronic disease eye care.

Watch the full discussion here:

Panel Discussion Videos - Latinos en Optometry Vision Expo Panel Discussions At Latinos en Optometry, our mission is rooted in the belief that racial and ethnic diversity among health professionals strengthens our health care system. A diverse workforce expands access to care, improves quality for underserved communities, and ensures that the he...

Know a student? Share this.

Latinos En Optometry has created a short, easy-to-use activity to help students explore whether a career in optometry could be a good fit.

Many students—particularly in Hispanic and Latino communities—aren’t exposed to the profession early enough to consider it. This is one small way to help change that.
It’s simple, approachable, and available in both English and Spanish.

If there’s a student in your life—whether it’s a family member, a patient's child, or someone in your community—consider passing this along. Sometimes one introduction is all it takes. https://latinosenoptometry.org/students/could-optometry-be-right-for-you/

Latinos en Optometry presenta dos nuevas herramientas bilingües (inglés/español) diseñadas para ayudar a que pacientes y profesionales del cuidado visual se entiendan mejor.

• Un formulario está pensado para consultorios optométricos, ayudando a los proveedores a comprender rápidamente el historial del paciente, sus inquietudes visuales y sus preferencias de idioma.
• El otro está diseñado para pacientes y entornos comunitarios, ayudando a las personas a organizar información importante antes de un examen de la vista.

Te invitamos a explorar, utilizar y compartir estos recursos con quienes puedan beneficiarse.

April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month — and women account for nearly two-thirds of blindness and visual impairment in the U.S.

Our latest blog, written by Dr. Diana Shechtman, looks at how language barriers, chronic disease, and access to care can increase risk for Hispanic women — and why prevention and annual comprehensive eye exams matter.

https://latinosenoptometry.org/when-gender-and-culture-intersect-eye-health-disparities-in-hispanic-women/