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Seeing the Bigger Picture: My Experience with LSHTM’s Global Eye Health Short Course

Dr. Mattan Arazi shares how LSHTM's Global Eye Health short course transformed his perspective on eye care, shifting his focus from clinical practice to global systems, equity, and impact. The course inspired him to pursue further study and play a more active role in public health for eye care.
Student, Mattan, outside of LSHTM's Keppel Street building.

From Clinical Curiosity to Global Questions

As an ophthalmology resident at Sheba Medical Center in Israel, my day-to-day work revolves around clinical care and surgical training. But over time, I began to realise that clinical expertise alone couldn't answer the more significant questions I kept encountering - questions about why preventable causes of blindness remain so widespread, why access to treatment is so uneven, and what it would take to deliver equitable eye care at a systems level.

That curiosity is what led me to the Global Eye Health short course at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). I was looking for an introduction to the field - something that could help me understand the broader picture. What I found was a four-day course that completely reframed how I see my role in ophthalmology.

A Global Eye Health in action.
A Global Eye Health class in action.

A Curriculum that Connects Vision and Strategy

The course was fast-paced, rigorous, and full of insights. It covered everything from planning community and school eye health programmes to understanding health systems and interpreting global strategies like VISION 2020, the WHO World Report on Vision, and the 2030 In Sight initiative. 

What made it special wasn't just the content, but the way it was taught. We were lucky to learn from some of the most respected figures in global eye health, including Professor Andrew Bastawrous and Professor Allen Foster, whose lectures were both deeply informative and incredibly inspiring.

Data, Technology, and the Power of Measurement

I was particularly struck by the course's emphasis on real-world tools and data. We looked at how surveys are used to track eye health in low-resource settings, and how mobile technology (like Peek) can dramatically improve access to care. These sessions helped me see the link between information and impact. You can't change what you don’t measure, and without good data, equity remains just a concept.

Learning Through a Global Community

Another highlight of the course was the community. Even in an online format, the sense of connection was real. My fellow participants came from all over the world - clinicians, policymakers, researchers, NGO leaders - and each person brought a unique perspective to the discussion. Hearing about their challenges and successes made me realise how universal some of these issues are, but also how important context is when designing solutions. It was one of those rare spaces where learning felt truly global.

A Lasting Impact on My Career Path

By the end of the course, I wasn't just more informed - I was motivated. I left with a stronger sense of purpose and a clearer vision of how I want to contribute to the field. That sense of direction ultimately led me to apply for the MSc Public Health for Eye Care at LSHTM, where I'm now a student. But even if I had stopped at the short course, the experience would have had a lasting impact on how I approach my career.

Mattan Arazi (left) and his fellows in MSc Public Health for Eye Care at LSHTM.
Mattan Arazi (left) and his fellow classmates from the MSc in Public Health for Eye Care at LSHTM.

Why This Course Matters

If you're someone who works in eye care and has ever felt the need to step back and understand the bigger system, this course is for you. It's not just a learning opportunity - it's a moment to reflect, connect, and realign your work with the broader goals of equity and impact.

And if you're considering it, my only advice is to go in with an open mind. The course may only last four days, but the perspective it offers stays with you far longer.