The Franciscan Capuchin Sisters at the Emmaus Health Centre, Sanya Juu, Tanzania

The Franciscan Capuchin Sisters in Sanya Juu, Tanzania, have received an oDocs nun IR, a non-mydriatic smartphone-based infrared retinal camera, to help fight vision loss.

Donated by Optometry Giving Sight and Canadian Vision Care, products such as oDocs’ nun IR are designed to provide an affordable solution to help resolve inequitable eyecare worldwide, said oDocs’ William Yii. “The Sisters were overjoyed with the receipt of oDocs’ nun IR as they continue to build their eyecare clinic. This is an awesome group of women playing an important role in the delivery of proper eyecare in the developing world.”

Since 2008, the Franciscan Capuchin Sisters have steadily built a clinic to serve the surrounding population, estimated at over 100,000 people. Sister Fabiola Mboya (holding the camera in the picture above) has been the driving force for this work, said Yii. “Relying on the support of a visiting ophthalmologist from the Catholic hospital in the city of Moshe to assist with surgical cases, Sister Mboya is continuously enrolling in courses to improve her skills as an optometrist. The Sisters are making a real difference to people’s eye health in this part of the world.”

The centre is now looking into training another Sister in optometry, said Yii.