Optometry Giving Sight names travel grant winner

Houston-Moes Nasser, OD, is the recipient of a $2,000 travel grant from Optometry Giving Sight, which will fund his participation in a volunteer project team trip to Africa in 2008.

Dr. Nasser, an optometrist with practices in Humble, Willowbrook, and Houston, TX, was one of 140 optometrists eligible to win the travel grant, having enrolled in the Optometry Giving Sight Leaders Campaign. Vision Source, a leading network of independent optometrists in North America, sponsored the grant.

As part of a volunteer project team, Dr. Nasser will travel to a funded project and be part of the team that delivers eye care and training to the local population.

But it was not until he was 17 that he received his first eye exam and prescription eyewear. Later, when his father had cataract surgery in India, Dr. Nasser decided to become an optometrist. With the encouragement and guidance of missionaries, Dr. Nasser studied in the United States and graduated from the University of Houston.

"Not only do I relate to the millions of people who do not have glasses, but I know I am very fortunate to be practicing in a tremendous profession which has given me a great deal of satisfaction and a great quality of life for my family. Optometry Giving Sight is a way for us to give back to the community. After all, we are just giving back a small piece of what has been given to us," said Dr. Nasser.

In addition, Dr. Nasser's three practices will participate in the World Sight Day Challenge on Oct. 11 by donating eye-exam fees to Optometry Giving Sight. As part of the challenge, eye-care professionals, staff, and students are invited to register for a standard donation, a donation of exam fees on World Sight Day, or by asking patients to add $5 to their invoices throughout October.

To participate in the World Sight Day Challenge, register at http://www.givingsight.org/, or call 888/647-4483. Registered practices will receive a World Sight Day Challenge Practice Kit, which includes materials to help eye-care professionals promote the challenge in their practice and community.