Professor Brien Holden has been presented with the inaugural Optometry Giving Sight Humanitarian Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution in support of global efforts to help eliminate avoidable blindness and impaired vision and reduce the disability, poverty and lack of opportunity associated with vision loss.
He received the award at a dinner held in Seattle, USA, at which he also announced he will step down as Executive Chair of Optometry Giving Sight after 10 years.
“I am delighted to receive this award from my friends and colleagues at Optometry Giving Sight,” said Professor Holden. “I have immensely enjoyed the challenge of getting Optometry Giving Sight established as optometry’s international charity of choice. I have enjoyed seeing the dedication of the excellent people that work for the organisation and the wonderful response of the eye health community around the world. Colleagues in the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and World Council of Optometry have been extremely supportive.
“Most importantly, I have been highly moved by the outstanding work Optometry Giving Sight has done in stimulating the eye health community to contribute enormously and effectively to the efforts to eliminate avoidable blindness and impaired vision due to uncorrected refractive error.”
Dr. Juan Carlos Aragon will succeed Professor Holden as Executive Chair of Optometry Giving Sight and Professor Holden will remain on the board.
“I can think of no one more worthy to take on this role than Dr. Aragon,” said Professor Holden. “He has an outstanding track record in mobilising support for education projects related to optometry and contact lenses; is well respected in the profession and industry; and has helped mobilise significant support personally and professionally for Optometry Giving Sight.”
Dr. Aragon is currently Chair of Optometry Giving Sight’s Global Development Board and Senior Vice President, Global Professional & Clinical Affairs, CooperVision.
