VIBE
Vision & International Bridge Exchange
A clinical and cultural exchange program that connects healthcare professionals between México, Latin America and the U.S. It will allow professionals to observe, train, and learn in high-level clinics in the United States, then bring that knowledge and quality of care back to their home countries, multiplying impact and raising clinical standards.
Vision International Bridge Exchange (VIBE) is a clinical observership program in Houston, Texas, designed for advanced students, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and even general practitioners from Mexico and latin america to learn directly in a high-level retina clinic under the mentorship of Dr. Charles A. Garcia and his team. Dr. Garcia is a renowned ophthalmologist and retinologist with more than 40 years of experience.
Learning Site:
Retinal Vascular Center, Houston
Houston, home to the Texas Medical Center —the largest medical complex in the world— also hosts Dr. Charles A. Garcia, an internationally recognized retinologist who has authored 3 ophthalmology books and published more than 150 articles, and who now opens his doors to clinical teaching.
The program takes place at Dr. Garcia’s clinics, where patients are seen daily with vascular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, a critical public health problem in Mexico and Latin America.
Program Structure and Duration
· Type of program: Clinical observership (non-remunerated, learning only).
· Minimum duration: 1 month.
· Maximum duration: 6 months.
Eligible Participants
· Advanced optometry or medical students.
· Licensed optometrists.
· Ophthalmology residents or specialists.
· Medical students with knowledge in ophthalmology/optometry could be considered.
Requirements
1. B1/B2 Visa (Visitor Visa).
o If the applicant does not yet have one, an official invitation letter will be issued to support the visa process.
2. Valid passport.
3. International health insurance for the duration of the stay.
4. English level B2 or higher.
Updated CV and motivation letter
Program Contribution
CLEAR is a non-profit initiative; however, providing a real clinical experience in the U.S. requires resources, supervision, and logistics that must be sustained.
Why does a contribution exist?
The contribution helps:
develop educational and clinical materials,
support professional supervision and mentoring,
cover administrative and clinical-observation logistics,
maintain a safe and structured educational environment.
This contribution is far more accessible than typical observerships in the United States —often about half the usual cost, or even less— and it allows CLEAR to continue offering high-level training to students and professionals from Latin America.
The contribution may vary depending on the length of the stay.
For specific details to contact us directly.
Optometry Scholarships
To Optometry is the first line of visual healthcare in Mexico, and strengthening this field has a direct impact on early disease detection and the prevention of vision loss.
For this reason, CLEAR offers full scholarships to:
advanced optometry students,
practicing optometrists.
These scholarships exempt participants from the Program Contribution, ensuring free access to the clinical and educational experience.
What You Will Gain
Participating in VIBE offers a unique opportunity for clinical training in retina and posterior segment disease within a real, high-level retinal clinic in Houston.
Participants gain access to benefits such as:
Direct clinical exposure to retina and posterior segment conditions.
Training in the interpretation of OCT, visual fields, and angiography in a specialized environment.
First-hand observation of the dynamics and clinical decision-making in a retina practice.
Official recognition from the Retinal Vascular Center.
Eligibility for the CLEAR Excellence Scholarship (complimentary housing, subject to selection).
An experience that integrates optometry, medicine, and retina with a modern, international clinical perspective.
Human and professional growth, strengthening clinical judgment, sensitivity, and readiness for real-world cases.
Each cycle, the Excellence Scholarship is awarded as a special distinction that provides complimentary housing to the most outstanding participants in the selection process.
This scholarship offers free housing during the stay in Houston and is granted to individuals who demonstrate:
solid academic preparation,
genuine motivation to learn,
commitment to visual health and strong human values.
Recipients are selected through the application process.
The number of available spaces may vary depending on the period.
CLEAR Excellence Scholarship – Complimentary Housing
Get in touch
clearforhumanity@gmail.com
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Step 2 - Send us an email with your CV and cover letter and we'll send you the information!
