Over 500 residents in Alexandra township in Johannesburg were given the opportunity of free eye testing at a three-day vision care clinic where optometrists conducted eye testing to assess vision care needs and dispense spectacles.
Following their eye tests, beneficiaries were given readers and ready to clip spectacles, which were dispensed to them same on the same day. 39% needed special spectacles for which scripts were sent to the lab. These individuals will receive their glasses in approximately one month’s time.
This project is an initiative of OneSight Essilor Luxottica Foundation, an independent charitable organisation committed to helping the world see better and eradicating the vision care crisis for good. This clinic was conducted in partnership with Rays of Hope and was the second in a series of 10 community clinics to be hosted across South Africa this year.
Rays of Hope is a Non-Profit Company and a Public Benefit Organisation, which has been operating in Alexandra Township for the past 30 years. They manage many social outreach programmes. The organisation aims to enable individuals and families to improve all aspects of their lives, thereby creating a lasting impact on the broader Alex community.
“Together with Rays of Hope we are changing lives and the community by creating opportunities for individuals to gain access to vision care that has previously been a barrier to their ability to work or learn,” says Lameez Eksteen, Country Manager of OneSight Essilor Luxottica Foundation. The initiative is made possible by Sunglass Hut and Luxottica whose generous funding support makes it possible to offer eye tests for free and dispense glasses at an affordable cost or free in some instances based on the patient’s economic circumstances.
OneSight’s model is based on establishing permanent vision care centres within Communities that remain accessible year round. There are currently 3 in South Africa in Carltonville and Dr Yusof Dadoo Hospital in Gauteng as well as Galeshewe Hospital in the Northern Cape. A new permanent vision centre will be opened in Upington at the Dr Harry Surtie Hospital and another in Mpumalanga later this year.
The next community engagement clinic will take place in KZN in August.
For more information about OneSight or how to partner contact Mahlodi Ramoroka: Administration and Engagement Coordinator on mramoroka@onesight.org or 081 826 3138.
About OneSight: OneSight is a leading global non-profit dedicated to creating a world where lack of access to vision care is no longer a barrier to human achievement and potential. From one-week charitable clinics to long-term self-sustaining vision centres. OneSight delivers quality eye exams and glasses to underserved populations globally. In 33 years, OneSight has served 7 million people in 50+ countries and has provided permanent vision care access to more than 46 million people. Visit www.onesight.org.
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