Latinos en Optometry

11/28/2025

Eyes on the Future: Exploring Career Paths in Optometry, created by Latinos en Optometry with support from Transitions Optical, is 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. https://latinosenoptometry.org/students/eyes-on-the-future-exploring-career-paths-in-optometry/

11/17/2025

In recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month, the November edition of the “Cultural Responsiveness” blog by Latinos en Optometry and VSP Vision features an article by Lina Arango, OD that explores how optometrists can help reduce the impact of diabetes among Hispanic patients.

In the blog, Dr. Arango offers practical guidance on how optometrists can reinforce the connection between diabetes management and ocular health for their Hispanic patients—offering culturally relevant ways to improve patient understanding and compliance.

Connecting Diabetes and Vision: How Optometrists Can Make a Difference for Hispanic Patients Sponsored By Lina T. Arango, OD Early in my career, I saw an elderly patient who made a big impression on me. This gentleman had come to the clinic for a regular checkup; he was already blind in one eye and....

11/11/2025

Clear and accurate communication is essential for providing quality eyecare, especially when working in communities with diverse patient populations, where language differences can at times pose a communication challenge between ECPs and their patients. In these circumstances, eyecare practices can tap into professional translation services or in-person interpreters to help ensure that patients with diverse language capabilities can fully comprehend their diagnosis, treatment and care instructions.

Vision Monday Magazine recently spoke with three Latinos en Optometry Board members about the importance of precise communication to ensure patient safety, effective treatment and a sense of trust.

Clear and accurate communication is essential for providing quality eyecare, especially when working in communities with diverse patient populations, where language differences can at times pose a communication challenge between ECPs and their patients. In these circumstances, eyecare practices can....

10/15/2025

The October edition of the “Cultural Responsiveness” blog by Latinos En Optometry and sponsored by VSP Vision Care Vision, shines a spotlight on one of the most overlooked barriers in patient care: language access.

As multilingual populations grow across the United States, more optometry practices are encountering patients who prefer or require communication in a language other than English. When language support is inadequate, patients are more likely to misunderstand diagnoses, skip treatments, or disengage from follow-up care.

The October feature provides practical guidance on when and how to use in-person interpreters, virtual interpreters, and external translation services, helping eye care professionals determine the right solution for different clinical scenarios.

It also explains some key differences between live interpretation (for conversations during exams) and written translation services (for forms, instructions, and educational materials), outlining what credentials and safeguards to look for in each.

A downloadable checklist is included to help practices evaluate potential providers and make informed decisions that benefit both patients and the practice.

Bridging the Language Gap in Eye Care: Choosing the Right Interpreter or Translation Service Sponsored By Source: Latinos en Optometry In today’s diverse communities, language barriers can be one of the biggest challenges to delivering quality eye care. For optometrists, clear and accurate communi...

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 ...