Congratulations to XOVA Winners 2022

Novartis Ophthalmology
Reimagining the treatment and prevention of visual impairment and blindness

This year, a total of 157 applications from 32 countries were submitted to the eXcellence in Ophthalmology Vision Award (XOVA). An independent panel of ophthalmology and optometry experts selected the 6 projects that aligned best with XOVA’s mission to have a significant impact in unmet needs. In total, Novartis will award the winning initiatives with a combined grant worth €267,000, projected to benefit up to 600,000 people.

Novartis congratulates this year’s winning projects:

• Expanding eyecare access in Southwestern Kenya through community-based vision centers
  Dr Olivia Killeen on behalf of the Innovation Eye Centre, Kenya
• Integrated people-centered eyecare for the indigenous people of Benguet, Philippines
  Dr Maria Victoria Rondaris on behalf of the Fred Hollows Foundation, Australia
• Reducing childhood blindness by improving access to community ophthalmology for low-income families in Burundi, Africa
  Prof. Lévi Kandeke on behalf of Centre Tertaire des Soins Oculaires de l’Enfant (CTSOE), Burundi
• Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: eliminating rural avoidable blindness in western Uttar Pradesh, India
  Dr Pradeep Agarwal on behalf of the CL Gupta Eye Institute, India
• Enhancing community eyecare and creating eyecare demand among ethnic minority groups in Lai Chau Province, Vietnam
  Ngoc Pham on behalf of Orbis International, Inc.
• Development of a web platform for screening and referral of Retinopathy of Prematurity
  Prof. Songtau Yuan on behalf of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China