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We regularly write about the importance and necessity of regular eye checks; we have access to medical research and updates on the internet and even online diagnosis sites. We can purchase glasses of all shapes and styles online and order our contact lenses too, as well as accessories that go with them.
As a community with all this technology and arguably the finance to pick and choose where we visit for check ups, what designer frames we fancy and all the extras that go with a choice of lens it's easy to lose sight (excuse the pun) of those people in our community who are unable to access such services, specifically those who are on the poverty line and overseas communities.
I’ve seen the collection boxes where you can leave your old pairs of goggles but I’ve never actually parted with any. I suppose in my ignorance, the idea of one pair of old worn glasses wasn’t exactly going to be of any real use to anybody.
Non-profit organizations such as OneSight deliver care in such communities in the States and overseas clinics. These charitable efforts have provided free vision care and eyewear to more than eight million people in need around the world and have granted millions of dollars towards optical research and education as well. Their Research Foundation supports optical research and education, granting more than $250,000 annually toward vision research focused on diabetic and paediatric eye diseases and offering thousands of dollars in scholarships to students pursuing Optometry qualifications.
For families on low income, that have members who have eye problems, charities such as these offer a vital lifeline to assist in education and learning potential and give back to adults independence, mobility and an all round sounder quality of life that had previously been robbed by poor vision. We take for granted that when something’s broken we just fix it. But imagine not being able to afford to have a consult, then if you could, being told you need glasses, which you then can’t pay for? This happens every day – and as a result millions of adults walk around unable to even see their children’s faces properly, or able to work and children can’t study or develop play.
This is a massive task. This one charity need 2 million pairs of glasses a year to provide optimum availability to out reach clinics worldwide. So, the next time you see that pair of old specs gathering dust at the back of your bureau, take a second to whip them out and find an outlet to deposit them.
I just did; and I know I’ve given sight to three people.