The distinguished Prevention of Blindness (POB) Shield Lecture award has been presented to Professor Kovin Naidoo, CEO of Brien Holden Vision Institute, at the Saudi Ophthalmology 2017 conference.
Prof. Naidoo was recognised for his continuing work in preventative ophthalmology, particularly in the areas of avoidable childhood blindness and cataract.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Ahmad Al Saud, President of the Saudi Ophthalmology Society, presented the award and as the awardee, Prof. Naidoo presented on his novel research and public health optometry work.
Prof. Naidoo is founder and chair of African Vision, which addresses the backlog of cataract services in South Africa, specifically in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
He is also the initiator and Campaign Director for Our Children’s Vision, a global campaign working to improve access to eye health services to more children, in more locations. Through its coalition of partners, the campaign had reached 10 million children by the end of 2016.
“The consequences of a child not being able to see clearly cannot be underestimated,” said Prof. Naidoo. “These children are often misunderstood as being unintelligent, un-athletic, and introverted. When in reality they are simply unable to see well enough to get involved and enjoy the things kids love to do.”
In November 2016, Prof. Naidoo received the Henry B. Peters Memorial Award from American Academy of Optometry for his exemplary contributions to public health and environmental vision over many years.
