The mission was again held at the Centro de Rehabilitación Visual which is the Indiana University School of Optometry clinic in the city of Silao. Fifty-one student, faculty, and alumni optometric volunteers arrived in March 1, 2008, in Mexico to join the American (Dr. Jennifer Page) and Mexican staff of the Centro. In addition, approximately two dozen local nursing students and community volunteers made up a workforce of around 80 people.

During the five-day period from March 2 to 6, we examined 2225 adults and 384 children. Approximately 1400 of the adults received recycled glasses through our computer database system. The typical diagnoses for the adults were numerous anterior eye problems (i.e., dry eye and pterygium), many immediate referrals for emergency levels of systemic hypertension, and numerous cases of diabetic retinopathy. Data was collected for an imaging study testing strategies for early detection of diabetic retinopathy. Our children's arm of testing reported almost all children needed treatment or referral. We were fortunate to have the resources to prescribe new glasses for all children. This year's experience was especially rewarding because the numbers of patients more closely matched the capacity of our testing system than last year.

The new challenge on our horizon for next year is the date change of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry Part 1 exams to the week of our mission. Because several of our student volunteers will be taking these exams, the necessary adjustment of shifting the annual mission away from March will need to be made. We will probably attempt the mission next year in early February and evaluate that experience.

If you have questions or you want to give wads of money, donate materials, or volunteer--contact Dr. Doug Horner, faculty advisor of the student VOSH group, at hornerdg@Indiana.edu.