In 2022, IPET launched an orthoptic training program in The Gambia. Volunteer orthoptists from North America and Europe provided instruction to students. This program focuses on training individuals to evaluate and deliver non-medical/surgical care to children and to adults with eye muscle disorders. The inaugural class, specifically chosen to become future instructors, graduated in 2023 and completed their internships in 2024. These graduates are now receiving mentorship from the volunteer instructors, deepening their expertise as they transition into their teaching roles. IPET and its volunteers maintain an ongoing presence at the site to uphold the high academic standards set for the program. The training program has graduated 3 classes and begins its 4th class in October 2025.

IPET’s efforts have already provided life-changing eye care to hundreds of children and many adults in The Gambia. Families in Senegal are bringing their children to the new orthoptic clinic in The Gambia for eye evaluations and care.

The training site for this orthoptic program also hosts other courses that have attracted enrollees from 22 additional African countries. The orthoptic training program welcomed its first international enrollee in the class that commenced in 2024, with foreign enrollment anticipated to increase as interest in orthoptic training is now coming from several other African countries. This expansion is expected to significantly broaden IPET’s reach, impacting more African countries and improving the lives and futures of countless children across the continent.

IPET’s efforts have already provided life-changing eye care to hundreds of children and many adults in The Gambia. The training site for this orthoptic program also hosts other courses that have attracted enrollees from 22 additional African countries. The orthoptic training program welcomed its first international enrollee in the class that commenced in 2024, with foreign enrollment anticipated to increase. This expansion is expected to significantly broaden IPET’s reach, impacting more African countries and improving the lives and futures of countless children across the continent.

The orthoptic training program welcomed its first international enrollee in the class that commenced in 2024, with foreign enrollment anticipated to increase. This expansion is expected to significantly broaden IPET’s reach, impacting more African countries and improving the lives and futures of countless children across the continent.

November 11, 2023 – An 11-year-old girl came to the orthoptic clinic at Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Centre for her first eye examination. She has had crossed eyes since she was born according to her mother. She was doing very poorly in school, could not read or write, and was severely bullied by other children – so much so that her mother took her out of “English School” and put her in a less preferred school.

May 20, 2024 – The child is prepared for surgery to align her eyes.

February 6, 2025 – The mother is “so very happy” and “thankful” to the eye team for fixing her daughter’s eyes.

“She couldn’t see before and now she can!”

“She is in English school now and can read and write! She was not even able to read the letter A before her surgery.”

The child is now excelling in school. Her mother is overjoyed that her daughter can now read and write and is no longer bullied.

Stephen Christiansen, MD, Chairman, IPET committee
Cindy Pritchard, Vice Chairman IPET committee
Karen McMain, Volunteer coordinator
Volunteer orthoptist instructors, outside examiners and surgeons:
Lillian Aladejebi (Canada)
Kyle Arnoldi (USA)
Erick Bothun, MD (USA)
Vanessa Chevrier (USA)
Monte Del Monte, MD (USA)
Stephanie Dotchin, MD, FRCS (Canada)
Lieke Gouma (The Netherlands)
Anna Horwood, PhD (United Kingdom)
Joire Jackson (USA)
Rachael Jenkins (USA)
Shelley Klein (USA)
Leanne Lucuik (Canada)
Rowena McNamara (United Kingdom)
Veronica Picard (USA)
Isabel Reich-d’Almeida (Portugal)
Jan Roelof Polling, PhD (The Netherlands)
Lisa Rovick (USA)
Aqsa Saleem (Canada)
Lance Seigel, MD (USA)
Jocelyn Zurevinsky (Canada)