VOSH Southeast

What VOSH Southeast does

VOSH Southeast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 1996 and headquartered in Dunnellon, Florida, operating as a regional chapter of VOSH International. The organization conducts volunteer-run international vision care missions that deliver free eye examinations, prescription and recycled eyeglasses, disease diagnosis, eye medications, and surgical referrals to visually impoverished populations across more than 20 countries in Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, with mission reports dating from 2004 (Peru) through 2025 (Senegal). Documented mission outcomes include 2,200 to 3,400 patients served and 2,300 to 2,800 pairs of glasses dispensed per major trip, with ancillary cataract referral pipelines (e.g., 161 referrals and 78 cataract surgeries completed following the 2013 Paraguay mission).

The organization's service model relies entirely on unpaid volunteers — optometrists, ophthalmologists, optometry students, certified opticians, translators, and general support staff — and on donated equipment and supplies sourced from a broad network of corporate donors and service clubs. Core mission infrastructure includes phoropters, retinoscopes, lensometers, autorefractors, the proprietary TW-4A manual lens cutter, and pre-cut eyeglass stocks from Lions Club recycling centers. Two sustained clinic partnerships (BASIC Nicaragua with an in-country optical lab in Chinandega since 2014, and Clyde E. Bay Foundation in Yeguarizo, Paraguay since 2005) provide a year-round complement to the episodic short-duration mission format.

VOSH Southeast is funded through three primary streams: individual membership fees of $35 per year or a $3-per-month Patreon subscription, tax-deductible donations, and mission participation fees of $400 (students) to $600 (non-students) per trip. The organization maintains no paid administrative staff, aligns its work with the WHO's VISION 2020 initiative to eliminate avoidable blindness, and partners with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, CooperVision, Alcon Cares, RestoringVision.org, Americares, VSP Eyewear, Marchon Eyewear, National Vision, SUNY School of Optometry, SCCO Marshall B. Ketchum University, and multiple Lions and Rotary Clubs for supply, equipment, and volunteer recruitment.

Name

VOSH Southeast

Legal name

VOSH Southeast

Website

https://voshsoutheast.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VOSH Southeast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization that runs volunteer-led vision care missions, delivering free eye exams, prescription eyeglasses, and surgical referrals to underserved populations across more than 20 countries in Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Vision Care Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (621320), Optical Goods Retailers (45613)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD), Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

Keywords

• Humanitarian eye care
• Vision care missions
• Eyeglass recycling
• Optical equipment sales
• Nonprofit vision services

Headquarters

HQ city

Florida

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: VOSH Southeast is funded by its membership. Membership fee is $35.00 per year or a Patreon membership with any paid tier. This provides a recurring revenue stream to support the organization's mission operations.
2. Donations: The organization is a publicly supported charity. Material resources come from donations and encouragement from generous supporters. Donations are tax-deductible as VOSH Southeast is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations of optical equipment, eyeglasses, frames, and lenses are also accepted.
3. Mission Participation Fees: Participants on VOSH Southeast mission trips pay fees to cover mission costs. Fees vary: $600 for non-students and $400 for students per mission (e.g., Senegal March 2026 mission). Membership fee of $35 or Patreon membership is also required to participate.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

VOSH Southeast organizes and operates volunteer-run humanitarian vision care mission trips to developing countries, providing free eye examinations, prescription and recycled eyeglass dispensing, diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, cataract surgical referrals, and patient education. The organization also recycles and distributes donated eyeglasses, sells optical equipment for mission clinic use, and supports optometry training through educational materials.

Product overview

VOSH Southeast operates as a humanitarian nonprofit organization rather than a traditional technology company. Its primary offerings consist of organizing international vision care mission trips to provide eye examinations, eyeglass dispensing, and eye disease treatment to underserved populations worldwide. The organization supplements its mission work through eyeglass recycling programs, sales of optical equipment including the TW-4A manual lens cutter, and educational materials for optometric training. A membership program enables volunteers to participate in mission activities. The organization partners with international optometry schools, NGOs, and corporate donors including CooperVision, Alcon, EssilorLuxottica Foundation, and RestoringVision.org to secure supplies, equipment, and funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vision Care Mission Services Organized humanitarian mission trips providing free eye examinations, prescription and recycled eyeglass dispensing, eye disease diagnosis and treatment, cataract surgical referrals, and patient education to visually impoverished populations in Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia.
• VOSH Southeast Membership Program Annual membership program required for mission participation, available at $35 per year or as a Patreon subscription starting at $3 per month. Provides volunteers access to participate in mission trips and supports the organization's humanitarian work.
• TW-4A Manual Lens Cutter Manual lens cutting device for on-site edging of prescription lenses, available in 110-volt or 220-volt models for international use in mission clinic settings. Sold via SE Wandering Eyes Optical Equipment Sales & Service.
• Optical Equipment Sales Sale of new and used optical equipment for mission clinic setup, including ophthalmoscopes, retinoscopes, lens bars, trial lens sets, trial lens frames, Jackson cross cylinder lenses, prism sets, lensometers, hand stones, and phoropters.
• Eyeglass Recycling and Distribution Program Collection, cataloging, and distribution of donated new and used eyeglasses, frames, sunglasses, and unground lenses supplied through partnerships with Wisconsin Lions Foundation Eyeglass Recycling Center and Indiana Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center. Used to dispense glasses during international mission clinics.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,400 patients served per major mission (e.g., 2011 Uganda: 3,403 patients; 2025 Senegal: ~3,400 patients; 2024 Senegal: 2,854 patients)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

44 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VOSH InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVOSH International is the parent organization for VOSH Southeast. VOSH Southeast is one of multiple regional chapters including VOSH California, VOSH Connecticut, VOSH Illinois, VOSH Indiana, VOSH Minnesota, VOSH New York, VOSH North East, VOSH Ohio, VOSH Pennsylvania, and SVOSH at Nova Southeastern University.
• Lions Club InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple Lions Clubs serve as local partners: Wanatah Lions Club, La Molina Lions Club, Rotary Club of Belleview FL. Lions Clubs assist with local organization, translation, registration, and eyeglass recycling. Wisconsin Lions Foundation Eyeglass Recycling Center and Indiana Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center provide donated glasses.
• Clyde E. Bay FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Clyde E. Bay Foundation clinic in Yeguarizo, Paraguay. The foundation provides facilities, local staff, accommodations, and organizational support. VOSH Southeast has conducted multiple sustained missions at this clinic since 2008.
• UCF Pre Optometry AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPre Optometry Association (POA) Club at UCF Orlando, Florida partners with VOSH Southeast. The association recruits and involves pre-optometry students in mission volunteer activities.
• SVOSH at Nova Southeastern UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStudent chapter of VOSH at Nova Southeastern University participates in VOSH Southeast missions.
• Rotary Club of Belleview FLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Rotary Club partner supporting VOSH Southeast mission activities.
• Wanatah Lions ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWanatah Lions Club (Gene Rice PID) partners with VOSH Southeast, contributing to eyeglass recycling and local mission support.
• Good-Lite (Joe Villali)minorOthersGood-Lite company representative provides optical equipment donations for mission use.
• Visual Compassion (Joey Dollack OD)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVisual Compassion contributes optometric volunteer services and support for VOSH Southeast missions.
• State Optical (Cheryl Schwartz)minorOthersState Optical provides donations of optical equipment and supplies for mission use.
• SE Wandering Eyes (Susan Stees)minorOthersSE Wandering Eyes Optical Equipment Sales & Service provides optical equipment including TW-4A Lens Cutters, and Susan Stees serves as VOSH Southeast Treasurer.
• Precision Equipment (Dan Opitz)minorOthersPrecision Equipment provides optical equipment donations for VOSH Southeast missions.
• RiMac Rotary (Severo Sanchez)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRiMac Rotary (Severo Sanchez) is a local partner for VOSH Southeast missions, with Severo Sanchez running an optometry school in Peru.
• Marchon Eyeware (Brittany DiFiore)minorOthersMarchon Eyewear donates eyewear and frames for VOSH Southeast mission use.
• VSP Eyeware (Sherri Midgley)minorOthersVSP Vision donates eyewear and frames for VOSH Southeast mission use.
• Divino Nino Jesus Clinic (Mary Julia Asmat)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDivino Nino Jesus Clinic in Peru serves as a local host partner and site for surgical referrals.
• Sentinel Rotary Club (Evelyn Diaz Garcia MD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSentinel Rotary Club (Evelyn Diaz Garcia MD) is a local partner supporting VOSH Southeast missions. Dr. Evelyn Diaz Garcia also serves as ophthalmologist for the organization.
• OneSight EssilorLuxottica FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation provides prescription glasses through their Changing Life Through Lenses program. 400-834 pairs of prescription glasses per mission provided through this partnership for Senegal and other missions.
• CooperVisionminorOthersCooperVision donates to SUNY SVOSH and supports VOSH Southeast missions with financial contributions.
• Alcon Cares Medical Missions ProgramminorOthersAlcon Cares Medical Missions Program donates artificial tears and allergy drops for mission use.
• imprimis rx (A Harrow Company)minorOthersimprimis rx donates ophthalmic medications for VOSH Southeast mission use.
• AmericaresminorOthersAmericares donates medications for VOSH Southeast mission use.
• RestoringVision.orgminorOthersRestoringVision.org donates reading glasses and sunglasses for VOSH Southeast missions.
• National VisionminorOthersNational Vision donates reading glasses, sunglasses, and frames for VOSH Southeast missions.
• EyeGanicsminorOthersEyeGanics donates artificial tears for VOSH Southeast mission use.
• PlenOptikaminorOthersPlenOptika provides equipment donations for VOSH Southeast missions.
• North Star Optical LLCminorOthersNorth Star Optical LLC supports VOSH Southeast missions.
• ICare USAminorOthersICare USA provides equipment including quick IOP devices for VOSH Southeast missions.
• Allina HealthminorOthersAllina Health provides organizational support, equipment lending, glasses cases, and Allina Pharmacy support for VOSH missions.
• SUNY School of OptometryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSUNY School of Optometry students and faculty participate in VOSH Southeast missions, including 10 students for Senegal 2024 mission.
• SCCO Marshall B. Ketchum UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSouthern California College of Optometry students and faculty participate in VOSH Southeast missions.
• Essilor Vision FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEssilor Vision Foundation provides approximately 432 prescription glasses through the Changing Life Through Lenses program for Puerto Rico Vieques mission. Partners with VOSH Southeast for prescription eyewear distribution.
• Caribe Opti LabminorOthersCaribe Opti Lab in San Juan, Puerto Rico fills complex spectacle prescriptions at a generous discount for VOSH Southeast missions.
• Programa Vision FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrograma Vision Foundation ophthalmology residents provide surgical services and follow-up care at Paraguay clinic missions. 78 cataract surgeries performed secondary to 2013 Paraguay mission.
• VOSH/InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVOSH/International provides equipment lending for VOSH Southeast missions and organizational support.
• EyeStyles OpticalminorOthersEyeStyles Optical (Nikki Griffin) donates sunglasses for VOSH Southeast missions.
• Walman InstrumentsminorOthersWalman Instruments provides equipment repair services for VOSH Southeast missions.
• Lions Club Recycling Center WisconsinminorOthersWisconsin Lions Foundation Eyeglass Recycling Center provides recycled eyeglasses for VOSH Southeast missions.
• Indiana Lions Eyeglass Recycling CenterminorOthersIndiana Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center provides recycled eyeglasses for VOSH Southeast missions.
• Insurance Services of AmericaminorOthersInsurance Services of America provides group-rate travel insurance purchased by mission leaders for VOSH Southeast mission participants.
• BASIC NicaraguacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBASIC Nicaragua partners with VOSH Southeast to provide vision care for underserved communities in Chinandega, Nicaragua. They established an optical lab in Chinandega in February 2014 and coordinate home building alongside vision care missions.
• FonipreceminorOthersFoniprece (Dr. Abraham Delgado's office) makes special order prescription glasses for patients with high myopia or astigmatism at $13 per pair, and coordinates cataract and pterygium surgeries for VOSH Southeast Nicaragua missions.
• VOSH UNLP (Argentina)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVOSH UNLP (Argentina) Chapter works with VOSH Southeast on Paraguay missions, with Laura Brusi from National University of La Plata participating.
• Peace Corps VolunteersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPeace Corps Volunteers provide translation services during VOSH Southeast missions in countries where Peace Corps operates (e.g., Paraguay, Nicaragua).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• VOSH International: Parent organization and global network of which VOSH Southeast is a regional chapter. Operates the same humanitarian optometry mission model, shares equipment lending infrastructure, and is the closest peer by mission, structure, and volunteer base.
• OneSight (EssilorLuxottica Foundation): A core supply and programmatic partner that runs Changing Life Through Lenses and global vision clinics. Directly comparable as a free vision care provider to underserved populations, with overlap in donated eyewear supply chains.
• RestoringVision: Nonprofit that distributes donated reading glasses and sunglasses globally to underserved populations. Highly comparable in mission, donor model, and beneficiary base, and an active equipment donor to VOSH Southeast missions.
• Unite For Sight: Nonprofit that partners with local eye clinics worldwide and mobilizes student and professional volunteers for global eye care. Directly comparable volunteer-driven, optometry-led model serving underserved populations.
• CharityVision: Nonprofit that funds and delivers sight-restoring treatments including glasses and cataract surgery in developing countries. Comparable donor-supported model delivering free vision care to low-income populations.

Broad incumbents

• Orbis International: Large, established global eye health nonprofit operating the Flying Eye Hospital and long-term country programs. Overlaps with VOSH Southeast in delivering ophthalmic care and glasses to low-income populations, but at much greater scale and geographic scope.
• Seva Foundation: Established eye-care nonprofit focused on preventing blindness in low- and middle-income countries. Comparable in mission (vision care for underserved populations) and clinical service delivery, with broader institutional reach than VOSH Southeast.
• Himalayan Cataract Project: High-impact nonprofit providing sight-restoring surgery and eye care in the developing world. Comparable in humanitarian eye-care focus and global program reach, but more specialized toward cataract surgery than primary vision care and refraction.
• International Eye Foundation: Nonprofit focused on preventable blindness in the developing world through partnerships and capacity building. Comparable in international eye-care delivery and underserved-population focus, with a longer institutional history.

Others

• Lions Clubs International Foundation: Major VOSH Southeast partner through multiple local Lions Clubs and the Wisconsin/Indiana Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers. Comparable as a global sight-related humanitarian network and a key supplier of recycled eyeglasses to VOSH Southeast missions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/voshse
• Facebookfacebook.com/VOSHSE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vosh-southeast-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VOSH Southeast