Homeless people collect eyewear

Sahid Uddin, who lost an eye in an attack some years ago, is pictured with the volunteers – back row, left to right: Debra Farbey; Jane Partridge, CLO; Penny Ardley FBDO and Tazeen Haider, optometrist.

DOs helped clients of Crisis at Christmas this week, when they returned to collect their new spectacles.

The frames were donated by Specsavers, while lenses and glazing were provided for free by EssilorLuxottica. The eyecare service is delivered every year in London by Vision Care for Homeless People in collaboration with Crisis.

Powers ranged from +9.50D to -13.00D and 138 pairs of spectacles were donated.

Penny Ardley, a DO from St Albans, joined the team for the first time. “A colleague told me about volunteering and it seemed a great day to come along.

“Everyone is extremely friendly and very grateful. It is good to see a different aspect of optics, and I plan to volunteer at clinics every Monday this year.”

Another client, Romualdos Visokal, was delighted with his spectacles: “Very kind people have helped me. It is so good – I couldn’t read anything before I got these glasses.”

Find out about volunteering and helping to set up a clinic in your area at: www.visioncarecharity.org