EnVision Summit names Cure Glaucoma Foundation as its 2026 charitable partner

EnVision Summit—set for February 13 to 16, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Río Grande, Puerto Rico—provides a comprehensive platform for ophthalmic and optometric professionals, combining clinical education, networking, and industry engagement. Along with offering a family-friendly venue in a scenic setting, the scientific agenda includes educational tracks and spotlight symposia on topics such as artificial intelligence in ophthalmology, uveitis, glaucoma, and neovascular retinal disease.

Each year, as part of its programming, EnVision Summit aligns with a dedicated charitable recipient. For 2026, the selected charity partner is Cure Glaucoma Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on global glaucoma research and initiatives to reduce vision loss. In support of Cure Glaucoma Foundation, EnVision Summit will host a Valentine’s Day Charity Cocktail Hour on February 14, 2026, with 100% of proceeds from drink tickets and raffles directed to the foundation.

Oluwatosin U. Smith, MD, of Glaucoma Associates of Texas in Dallas, serves on the board of directors for Cure Glaucoma Foundation and has been actively involved in its outreach, education, and research initiatives. The foundation has operated for more than a decade and originated at Glaucoma Associates of Texas. Smith noted that initial activities included mission trips, but the organization broadened its scope. “We realized as a group that our interest in starting a foundation was just not founded on just doing missions,” she said.

Global education and training programs

The foundation’s programs focus on global outreach and education, local access to care, and research. Smith described global education initiatives that involve teaching glaucoma surgeons updates in glaucoma surgery and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. Training activities have taken place in Africa, Indonesia, Nepal, Kenya, and other regions. A key initiative is the Glaucoma Drainage Device Program, developed to address barriers in access and training for device implantation. Smith explained that “access was a problem, and also training was a problem,” and described a pilot collaboration that increased the number of surgeons performing glaucoma drainage device surgery in Nigeria from approximately 5 to more than 40 surgeons.

Educational activities also include observerships and structured courses for international fellows and specialists. These programs may last up to a week and include didactics and targeted training for glaucoma surgeons and specialists, with the goal of strengthening local surgical capacity.

Research and local access to care

Research is another pillar of the foundation’s work. Smith described partnerships with Glaucoma Research Foundation and contributions to research programs, noting that the organization’s name reflects its scientific emphasis: “We are interested in—which is why the name—finding a cure for glaucoma.”

Locally, the foundation provides access to glaucoma care in the Dallas–Fort Worth area for patients who cannot afford surgery, including collaboration with AGS Cares to fund procedures. Pediatric glaucoma care is also supported, Smith noted, adding, “I think we’ve probably provided millions in care for people who have pediatric glaucoma.”

Volunteers from the foundation will attend EnVision Summit to share program experiences and clinical stories.