International Eye Health Heroes revealed

A PhD student from Cardiff University’s School of Optometry and Vision Sciences is among those to be recognised by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and HRH the Countess of Wessex in this year’s Eye Health Heroes programme.

A record 52 Eye Health Heroes were announced today, ahead of World Sight Day on Thursday 8 October, from 27 countries representing a vast range of those under 35 working in the sight sector – from ophthalmologists to NGO and warehouse workers.

All have been honoured in an online ceremony and were celebrated by IAPB president, Bob McMullan, and Charles Holmes, associate vice president, head of international eyeare at AbbVie, which has supported this year’s programme.

The IAPB’s Eye Health Heroes 2020 programme was launched by IAPB global ambassador, HRH the Countess of Wessex, in July and winners have been recognised in three categories: Changemakers, Innovators and Future Leaders.

This year’s heroes have been working on the front line tackling the response to Covid-19 as well as a number of other areas including in research and development, advocacy, programmes, sales, business, support services or clinical aspects of ophthalmology and optometry.

Eye Health Hero, Nikita Thomas

Optometrist Nikita Thomas, praised in the Innovators category, has developed a perimeter (visual field) testing device that compensates for unstable gaze, thus enabling for the first time accurate measurement of light sensitivity across the retina in people with nystagmus.

HRH the Countess of Wessex said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to all of this year’s Eye Health Heroes who have gone above and beyond to improve access to eye health around the world. Many of this year’s winners have been working on the frontline, adapting their work to deliver vital services and supporting the response to this global pandemic. I am confident that they will continue to make a positive difference to the health of people across the globe in the months and years to come.”

Bob McMullan, IAPB president, said: “We are proud to announce our 52 Eye Health Heroes for 2020. In a year that has been difficult for our global community, we are pleased to celebrate these remarkable young people that give us hope not just for the present but also the future of eye health around the world.”

Find out about all the 2020 winners here.