Creating Hope
With the support of optometry around the world, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has helped to create hope for tens of thousands of people in Sri Lanka.
“More than 33,000 Sri Lankans have had their eyes tested and 28,000 have received eye care and glasses – thanks to funds raised by Optometry Giving Sight and others,” said its CEO, Professor Brien Holden. “This is a fantastic achievement for all concerned and will be a huge help to the country and its people as it seeks to rebuild itself following the December 2004 tsunami”.
Professor Holden added that since fundraising began in earnest in 2005, Optometry Giving Sight has raised more than US$255,000 from donors – and disbursed approximately US$217,000.
Over coming months, it is anticipated that a portion of these funds will help Optometry Giving Sight partner organizations to train many more local health care workers as optometric therapists in the tea plantations of Sri Lanka. Work will also continue in the war-affected regions of the east and north of the island.
Funds will also provide resources for blind and severely visually impaired children in Africa to assist their move into mainstream education.
The program in Sri Lanka is being undertaken by the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) in a partnership with the World Council for Optometry, the Optometrists Association of Australia and Sri Lankan NGOs including the Centre for Health Care.
