Optometry Giving Sight

Optometrists, companies and students across the US showed they have a vision for helping others by taking part in the 5th Annual World Sight Day Challenge (WSDC) in October. This year marked a record year for the campaign as hundreds of doctors, as well as businesses and student groups, raised funds with events, personal or business donations or by donating their eye exam fees on World Sight Day, which was October 13th.

Drs. Tom and Susan Quinn’s practice has participated for years. They encourage patient donations and match the donations themselves. Dr. Quinn has a strong conviction to give throughout the year as well.  “What is wonderfully unique about Optometry Giving Sight is that it goes into underserved areas of the world and trains locals to give vision care, establishing infrastructure, permanence and continuity of care. So many more lives can be touched with this approach.”

Many networks and companies took the Challenge this year as well.  Art Optical Contact Lens Inc., in Grand Rapids, MI, hosted a bowling event to raise funds for the WSDC. The company custom designed t-shirts for the occasion and staff members, family and friends raised a total of $1,700 for Optometry Giving Sight. This event was part of a larger effort from the Contact Lens Manufacturer’s Association (CLMA) to encourage all CLMA labs to donate. Optometry Giving Sight is named as the CLMA’s International Charity of Choice.

Other networks that rallied support in response to the Challenge included Henry Ford Optimize, PEN, Rx Optical, United Eye Care Providers, Vision West and Vision Source.

Family Eyecare Associates in Sparks, Nevada participated in the Challenge for the first time this year. Dr. Troy Humphreys, Dr. Cori Cooper and staff all showed their spirit by wearing their red WSDC T-shirts on October 13th, and by encouraging patients to make donations for the cause.

“As eyecare professionals, it is our obligation and our true desire to help preserve the precious sense of sight. Care knows no boundaries, but logistically there are many. Optometry Giving Sight allows us to overcome the geographical and cultural challenges in order to share the care globally,” said Cori Cooper, OD, Family Eyecare Associates.

“We are grateful to everyone who took part in the World Sight Day Challenge this year,” said Mary Anne Murphy, OD, Chair of Optometry Giving Sight, US. “This marks a record year for the Challenge and the funds raised will go directly to our partners in the field who are currently providing sustainable eye care in 16 developing countries.“

Top photo: The team at Drs. Quinn, Quinn & Associates take the Challenge
Photo above right: Corey Gorman and Shellie Gray from Family Eyecare Associates