Ten year old Truong is one of many to benefit from the opening of a new Refraction Clinic and Optical Workshop, funded by Optometry Giving Sight in conjunction with the International Centre for Eyecare Education, at the Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital in Vietnam.
Vietnam, like many countries, suffers from a drastic shortage of experienced eye care practitioners. This is particularly the case in rural and mountainous areas (where 70 percent of Vietnam’s populations is based); while many of the optical shops in urban areas are operated by untrained personnel.
Truong is 10 years old and was born with congenital cataracts. He lives in Vinh Long province, which is around 200km from Ho Chi Minh City. Because of his eye problem, Truong has to come to the refraction clinic for vision examination every three months to have his spectacles changed accordingly.
Truong’s father said the Ho Chi Minh Eye Hospital is the best place for eye care, so even though it’s a long and costly journey from their province, he still wants his son to receive treatment there.
“Without glasses, he cannot write letters in a straight line and at class, he can only see big letters on the board,” said his father.
Despite his eye problem, Truong is still one of the best students in his class. He wants to become a doctor when he grows up, ‘because a doctor can help people’ Truong said with a shy smile.
Just $5 can provide an eye exam and a pair of glasses for someone like Truong.
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