Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) has launched the South Pacific Eye Care Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing eye health and reducing preventable vision impairment in disadvantaged communities across Australia and developing regions of the South Pacific.
The foundation provides a dedicated platform to expand ODA’s charitable impact in the region by creating meaningful opportunities for dispensing opticians (DOs) to contribute to eyecare outreach, said co-founder April Petrusma, CEO of ODA.
“Many established eyecare charities have traditionally centred on the clinical roles of ophthalmologists or optometrists. While these organisations are absolutely vital and perform necessary work in preventing avoidable blindness and strengthening eyecare systems, there are relatively few avenues specifically designed for DOs to apply their unique skills to improve quality of life for people living with undiagnosed refractive errors.”
April Petrusma
The foundation aims to fill this gap by actively engaging DOs in charitable initiatives, she said. “Through the ODA outreach, dispensers can support communities with limited access to eyecare, while also empowering the profession to play a greater role in improving vision outcomes across the South Pacific.”
