Optometry Giving Sight

Thanks to the generous donations of the optical profession in the countries where we operate, Optometry Giving Sight has been able to allocate $5.5 million to 18 projects in 16 countries to date. Recent highlights include:

Malawi – Six students have just commenced their final year of study and are on track to graduate from Mzuzu University in 2012. They will be their country’s first locally qualified optometrists. A further 21 students will graduate from the Malawi College of Health Sciences next year with a Diploma of Optometry.

Mozambique – the equipment purchased using funds provided by Optometry Giving Sight has now been installed and the temporary clinic is progressing well, providing students at the School of Optometry at Lúrio University with clinical training and assessment.

Mali – Optometry Giving Sight will provide funding for the Institute of Ophthalmology Training (IOTA) to support their Optometry program and will fund 2 scholarships for foreign students from Madagascar commencing November 2011.

India – the Indian Optometry Federation received funding from Optometry Giving Sight in support of its World Sight Day activities. Hundreds of Optometrists and more than 25 Optometry Schools from around the country provided free screenings for thousands of people in need and generated significant media coverage and local awareness.

India – Optometry Giving Sight will fund the establishment of an ophthalmic lens glazing unit in a secondary eye care centre in the state of Andra Pradesh in early 2011. The unit will ensure that rural people can access lenses that can be mounted into frames in half the time and more cheaply than before.

Mexico – the clinic at the Xochicalco University in Tijuana was opened in August. Fourth year students are now working at the clinic examining patients several days per week. Other students are assigned to clinical tasks such as optical dispensing and eyeglass fabrication.

Nicaragua - in partnership with VOSH International, Optometry Giving Sight has funded the purchase of equipment for an optical laboratory at the newly established School of Optometry at UNAN (National Autonomous University of Nicaragua) in Managua, the country’s capital.

Technology Transfer Program - funds being provided to this program, also in partnership with VOSH International, support clinical instruction by providing new and used optometric equipment to Schools of Optometry in Central and South America.

World Health Organization - Optometry Giving Sight and the World Council of Optometry are part of a group of IAPB member organisations and supporters that have come together to support the WHO Action Plan on Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment. More than $700,000 has been pledged by the consortium over the next 2 years to support delivery of the 2009-13 Action Plan.

Top photo: One of the Mozambique students to benefit from the new equipment, courtesy of Mozambique Eyecare Project
Photo above right: Generating awareness during World Sight Day celebrations in India, courtesy of ASCO