Eyeglass Program
Contact: Joanne Atkinson
Collection Pick Up: Charles Oxley
Monthly Article: Face to Face in the Third World
Statistics All Eyeglass Clinics to May 2011
Introduction:
The Eyeglass Program was developed in response to a need for vision care identified in the countries visited as part of other Rayjon programs. The purpose of the program is to provide vision correction in those unable to afford or obtain either the examination of the eyeglasses they need.
The program has two components:
-The collection of used eyeglasses in Canada and their preparation for redistribution in the developing countries.
-The assembly of a team of volunteers to conduct clinics in host countries; performing eye examinations, distributing eyeglasses and making referrals for secondary care.
Collection and Preparation
Individuals and collectors donate many used prescription glasses to Rayjon. These glasses are washed and inspected for flaws by a group of volunteers during bi-monthly cleaning sessions.
Volunteers read the lens prescription of the glasses on a regular basis and a Workshop is organized in June to sort and list prescriptions by computer inventory. The glasses are packed by category into storage cartons ready for a trip to our host site.
The Sydenham Lions Club have, for the past few years, prepared many donated eyeglasses ready to be entered into inventory at our workshop in June.
Clinics
We actively seek hosts for our clinics. Suggestions are encouraged from those with contacts in areas of need. Service clubs are requested to send information about our Eyeglass Program to club affiliates in countries of Latin America or the Caribbean.
We are always in need of Doctors of Optometry to volunteer on our team.
A large eyeglass team consists of 4 to 5 Doctors of Optometry supported by a staff of 12 to 15. All volunteers pay their own expenses. During a typical 5-day clinic over 1000 eye examinations are usually performed.
Since 2000 a small group of volunteers have conducted an annual clinic for the Community Development Project in St. Marc, Haiti.
If there is not a local surgeon in the host area, referrals are sent to the nearest qualified surgeon who will agree to accept the referrals. Local Lions and Rotary Clubs are sometimes agreeable to assisting with transportation of patients and/or some expenses of the surgery.
OTHER PROJECTS
A donation of liquid tears from Alcon Canada has allowed us to provide these to patients in need at our clinics.
Essilor Canada provides lenses for RX, which we are unable to fill from our inventory.
Voortman Cookies provides all our boxes for storing eyeglasses.
Hearing aids and glasses with hearing aids are donated to the Canadian Hearing Society.
Roles and activities of the Rayjon team during a typical clinic include:
Receptionists dispense the patient’s form and number, fills the patient’s name, address and occupation on the form. They collect a fee as determined by our hosts. Where possible we encourage volunteers from the host county to perform this task.
Support Staff test patients for near and far vision and record information regarding their general health and the eye problems they are experiencing. They note whether the patient is able to read and whether their vision clarity is essential to their job.
Autorefractor operator performs a mechanical test to help determine the perscription needed by the patient to correct the vision problem.
Optometrists perform tests as they would in their Canadian office. Although we do not perform surgery. A list of patients who require further treatment is prepared and the list is given to our host. It is often possible to find a way to get many of these patients treated.
Dispensers select appropriate glasses as prescribed by the optometrists.
Fitters adjust the glasses to fit the patient, test their new vision ability and give them some instructions on the use and care of their new glasses.
FUNDING
Hosts historically have collected the equivalent of $1-$1.50 per patient for examination and eyeglasses. No one is turned away who needs an examination but does not have the fee. They are encouraged to contribute whatever they can as it is felt it encourages the patient to appreciate their eyeglasses; as well as providing much needed funding for surgery. The minimal fee is determined and collected by our host.
Financial donations received in Canada are tax receipted. They are used to purchase test equipment and materials required for the clinics.
Rayjon team members are individually responsible for their own transportation costs, meals and accommodation during a trip.
