Ian Russell examines a patient in Fiji

Working with the Fred Hollows Foundation, Specsavers optometrists Ian Russell and Megan Glover from New Zealand and Australian graduate optometrists Tiffani Lai and Rowena Fuller spent a week in Fiji helping to train budding eye care professionals and examine patients.

The latest Specsavers’ outreach weeks involved helping Pacific Island students on an intensive study programme to gain a postgraduate diploma in eye care at the Pacific Eye Institute (PEI) in Suva and manning the Fred Hollows Foundation Mobile Eye Clinic as it performed cataract surgeries around Nadi.

The optometrists supervised students as they saw patients, imparting their clinical knowledge and experience, and equipping the PEI students to deliver quality eyecare within their local communities, said Caitlin Carey, Specsavers ANZ’s communications manager. “They also worked with the eye care nurses to carry out much-needed sight tests and distributed glasses to hundreds of locals in need.”

Russell, based in Whanganui, said the week away made him “incredibly appreciative” of how fortunate we are in New Zealand to have access to optometry and ophthalmology services. “We make a difference every day to how people see and function but in the Pacific, people either have no access to eye care or must travel a very long way to see anyone. The more local eye care providers that can be trained, the better the level of care for communities will be.”

Glover, from Riccarton, said she was attracted to help because the outreach programme had a strong emphasis on teaching as well offering vital eye care to communities in need. “During my time, I got a better understanding of the great work The Fred Hollows Foundation does in the Pacific and how Specsavers supports it. I felt honoured to be able to pass on my knowledge.”

Many patients coming into the clinic had never had their eyes tested before with symptoms ranging from the need for a basic prescription to severe diabetic retinopathy, said Lai. The PEI and Mobile Eye Clinic are incredibly important, added Fuller, performing screenings and surgeries across the country in villages that would otherwise not have access to healthcare. It also enables general health issues to be picked up, with a large number of previously undiagnosed cases of diabetes identified, she said. “The impact this has on so many people is astounding – poor vision is detrimental to their social and mental wellbeing as well as to overall physical health… this trip was such a rewarding experience, it will travel with me throughout my career.”

As part of its long-term partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation, Specsavers and Specsavers stores financially support the charity through initiatives such as the Specsavers Community Programme and the sale of limited edition glasses.