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Global CEO Clive Miller Launches Optometry Giving Sight in Ireland
Global CEO of Optometry Giving Sight, Clive Miller launched Optometry Giving Sight Ireland at 8.00pm on Tuesday, 17th November, in Ron Blacks on Dawson Street, Dublin. Optometry Giving Sight is currently raising funds in Australia, the U.S., Canada, the U.K, Norway and Ireland to establish sustainable vision care services in developing countries.
Commenting on the launch of Optometry Giving Sight Ireland, Dr James Loughman Director Optometry Giving Sight Ireland and implementer of The Mozambique Eyecare Project said: “Optometrists throughout Ireland are supporting the Mozambique Eyecare Project so we have decided to set up a charity to raise funds and awareness for our project and similar global projects which aim to provide eye care to the 670 million people worldwide who need spectacles through sustainable means”.
Optometry Giving Sight funds sustainable development projects which support the goals of VISION 2020:The Right to Sight, a World Health Organisation initiative to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020. Optometry Giving Sight distributes funds to partners who implement projects that ensure sustainable, lasting results in three ways: Vision Care, Local Training and Infrastructure Development.
Optometry Giving Sight currently co-funds The Mozambique Eyecare Project, run by the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) Optometry Department, University of Ulster and Irish Aid in association with the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) and the Universidade Lūrio, Mozambique.
Launch of Optometry Giving Sight in Ireland
You are cordially invited to the official launch of Optometry Giving Sight in Ireland. Optometry Giving Sight is the Official charity of the Association of Optometrists.
Transforming Lives Through The Gift of Vision
Date: Tuesday 17th November – 8.00pm
Location: Ron Blacks, 37 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Details: Refreshments will be served at 8.00pm.
Please RSVP by email or by calling +3531 402 4904 by November 16th
DIT Optometry Students take on the World Sight Day Challenge
World Sight Day, 8th October, was well received by optometry students and staff from Dublin Institute of Technology.
Students helped to sell World Sight Day Challenge t-shirts and participate in fundraising to support Optometry Giving Sight.
They were supported by staff of the National Optometry Centre who held a casual Thursday and helped to raise awareness of eye health issues.
World Sight Day Challenge
Ireland is the latest country to launch Optometry Giving Sight. We are delighted to announce our World Sight Day Challenge.
We Challenge the 800+ Optometrists of Ireland, optometry students, optical staff, members of the optical industry and patients to fundraise in aid of Optometry Giving Sight on or around World Sight Day, 8 October 2009. The target for Optometry practices is €250.
Funds raised from the World Sight Day Challenge in Ireland will help projects with an Irish interest
e.g. The Mozambique Eyecare Project and other global priority projects.
Irish Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians have contributed meaningfully for many years to the cause of eliminating avoidable blindness. For the first time, Optometry Giving Sight will focus the innate generosity and goodwill of the Irish optometric profession and their patients to maximize our impact and effect in developing countries.
Optometry Giving Sight supports the VISION 2020 global theme for World Sight Day 2009: gender and eye health. We recognise that:
- Two-thirds of blind people worldwide are women & girls - Correction of refractive errors could give normal vision to more than 12 million children (ages five to 15) (WHO).
- In many countries, men's access to eye care is twice that of women. In the case of uncorrected refractive error, effective strategies can and do successfully address this inequity. Good vision is just an eye exam and a pair of glasses away.
Judith’s Story
In a society predominantly dominated by males, Judith Maino Kipo (left), is one of the many women in Papua New Guinea who are challenging the norm.
As Manager of PNG Eye Care, an initiative of the International Centre for Eyecare Education (a founding partner of Optometry Giving Sight), Judith is helping to provide better access to eye care services for women.
“Traditionally, women work in areas where they are unlikely to earn wages and because they have poor access to, and little control over household income, they often have difficulty accessing eye care. Our services are affordable so women can get glasses and eye care when they wouldn’t have been able to in the past,” said Judith.
In addition to financial limitations, when seeking care women often face cultural barriers. They can feel intimidated by male practitioners, further restricting accessibility of care.
Through PNG Eye Care, Judith, is able to successfully address barriers and create an environment where woman and girls feel comfortable accessing care. “I have been able to reach out to women and create and environment where they feel safe and comfortable – so more women and girls are getting the eye care they need,” said Judith.
Upcoming Events
Learn more about Optometry Giving Sight at these upcoming conferences and events:
Optometry Giving Sight
Company Limited by Guarantee without Share Capital. Registered Company No: 478448 Registered in Dublin. Registered Office: Association of Optometrists Ireland, 18 Greenmount House, Harolds Cross, Dublin 6W, Ireland
