About Optometry Giving Sight
Optometry Giving Sight is the only global fundraising initiative that specifically targets the prevention of blindness and impaired vision due to uncorrected refractive error (URE).
At least 670 million people around the world are blind or vision impaired simply because they do not have access to an eye examination and a pair of glasses. This is because in many developing countries there are not enough trained eye care personnel and there is insufficient infrastructure to support these desperately needed eye care services.
Optometry Giving Sight funds the solution by supporting programs that offer not only eye exams and glasses in countries with little or no access to them, but that establish the infrastructure and human resources required for sustainable, quality vision care.
History....
In 2003, the World Council of Optometry (WCO), the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) signed an agreement to create Optometry Giving Sight as a means of mobilising resources from the global optometric community to help eliminate refractive error blindness and low vision.
Optometry Giving Sight was first launched in the UK in 2003, followed by Australia and the Netherlands in 2004, the United States and Canada in 2005, and Italy in 2006. In 2009, Optometry Giving Sight launched in Norway, Singapore and Ireland.
By the end of 2009 Optometry Giving Sight distributed US$2.9 million through its partners to help screen and provide basic eye care services to more than 3.5 million people, train 1550 mid-level eye care personnel and create 101 vision centres / optical labs.
85% of every donation from eye care professionals, optical staff and employees, clients and patients goes directly to support programs that help give sight to those most in need.
Funding programs…
Optometry Giving Sight currently funds programs in Sri Lanka, East Timor, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, India, Peru, Nicaragua, Mexico, Indigenous Australia and Papua New Guinea.
These projects seek to ensure sustainable, lasting results in three ways:
- Eye care service delivery - exams, low-cost eye glasses and low-vision devices
- Human Resources - training of optometrists, eye care personnel and their teachers
- Infrastructure development – establishment and support of vision centres, eye clinics and schools of optometry.
Optometry Giving Sight supports the aims of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, a global initiative that is aiming to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020.
Raising funds…
Optometry Giving Sight raises funds in the following ways:
- By inviting optometrists to make regular personal or practice donations;
- By inviting practices to participate in the World Sight Day Challenge in October and to involve their staff and patients;
- By inviting optometric practices to make product or service related donations as part of the SEEING EYE TO EYE program;
- By inviting optometrists to "Tick/Check Yes to OGS" on their annual dues invoice in the UK, Canada and Australia;
- By inviting patients, staff and others to purchase a Gift of Vision;
- By inviting companies and their staff to participate in the World Sight Day Company Challenge;
- Through corporate sponsorship; and
- Through industry and general donations.
