Towards a global solution
Brien A Holden, PhD, DSc, OAM, Chair and CEO of Optometry Giving Sight
Millions of people in developing countries are blind or visually impaired because they don’t have access to an eye exam and a pair of glasses. Why not? Because there are not enough trained eye care personnel and there is no infrastructure to support these desperately needed eye care services.
The World Optometry Foundation (WOF), the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) realized a global solution was needed to solve this global tragedy.
In 2003, Optometry Giving Sight was developed as an international fundraising campaign focused on raising money to support projects which build local infrastructure, human resources and ultimately, deliver eye exams and glasses to those in need. Who better to ask to support this program than those working in the optometry industry - and those who are lucky enough to live in countries where eye care is easily accessible?
Our friends at CIBA Vision and the Institute for Eye Research (IER) saw the potential of Optometry Giving Sight as a global humanitarian fundraising campaign. Both organizations have committed over US$1 million to Optometry Giving Sight which has helped to develop the fundraising program in the US, Canada, the UK, Netherlands, Australia and most recently Italy. Their support means that Optometry Giving Sight can guarantee that 85 cents out of every dollar raised from optometry is directed to people in need.
"Optometry Giving Sight is a global solution to a global problem"
The leadership of CIBA Vision and IER has been replicated at the national level through the invaluable support of other companies, which are acknowledged on the back page.
If you are one of the many individuals, optometrists and opticians or businesses who have already made a financial contribution to Optometry Giving Sight – thank you. Your support has already helped restore sight to tens of thousands of people in tsunami-affected regions of Sri Lanka.
Your support could mean the difference between a life of poverty and a life of opportunity for someone who is needlessly blind or visually impaired.
