Prescription Spectacle Recycling in Gambia
For some, eye glasses are both a necessity and a fashion
accessory. Eye wear styles change along with clothing styles,
updating glasses is as automatic as buying a new pairs of
shoes. Unused glasses then become disposable items, shoved
in the back of drawers untill they are thrown out
Many children and adults in developing nations struggle through
life with poor or severely impaired vision, due to expensive
and limited eye care resources. According to the World Health
Organisation, the eyesight of one-in-four people worldwide
can be improved through the use of corrective lenses. In these
countries, only 20 percent of the population can afford eye
care.
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Hopefull patients wait in line for their chance to
have their eye sight tested at the Royal Victoria
Teaching Hospital In The Gambia.
For many, the cost of a pair of glasses is equivalent
to a year’s pay.
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Comprehensive optometric examinations are provided
to patients, this involves the case histories of patients
being taken, their vision screened for sharpness as well as
for eye conditions such as cataracts, and diseases such as
glaucoma.
Optimax believes that by supporting the development
of centres for eye care staff training, real value can be
added to the process of recycling prescription eye glasses
in the Third World.
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