Optometry students provide eye care to 3000 Sri Lankans

Lecturer Dr Kwang Cham and students Anjalee Athukoralage, Victor Liu, Tom Morton and Noni Rupasinghe from the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences conducted eye checks and dispensed glasses to 3000 low income earners in Sri Lanka this January.

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In collaboration with the not-for-profit Global Hand Charity Inc., the team self-funded their trip in order to treat people who had travelled from distant villages and waited in long queues to have their sight checked. The students were able to practice their skills under the supervision of experienced optometrists and make referrals for customised glasses. The new glasses mean that many adults can resume their livelihoods while young people will be aided in their study.

Regina Lau, Medical Coordinator at Global Hand Charity, wrote to the Dean to praise Dr Cham and the students involvement and singled out Senior Optometry Lecturer Christine Nearchou who was instrumental in recruiting the students and organising 1200 pairs of recycled glasses.

The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences has backed the program for the past four years by supporting lecturers and students to perform eye care work in the outlying districts of northern Laos and Sri Lanka.