Longford optician embarks on journey of Hope to Kolkata

Keith McCallion, the Ophthalmic Director at Specsavers Longford, was among a group of volunteers who recently played a crucial role in supporting 2,414 individuals living in Kolkata’s streets and slum communities in India.

As the team navigated the harsh reality while volunteering at The Hope Hospital Eye Clinic, they visited local street and slum communities where they provided eye health care to those living on the streets.

During their week-long trip, the team of expert Opticians visited eleven different locations and gave eye checks to 2,414 patients, dispensed over 1,904 glasses, and in more severe cases, referred patients to Hope Hospital for surgery. For most of these people this was their first time ever seeing an Optician and availing of the basic of eye health care that we often take for granted here in Ireland.

One of those patients was Clara Halder, a 56-year-old community care giver. A hugely passionate reader, books have always been Clara’s escapism from reality but in recent years she has struggled with deteriorating vision. However, when Specsavers came to her local community with the mobile Eye Clinic she queued to be seen and was overjoyed when she was prescribed glasses and given a pair on the spot to take home.

Clara said she ‘can’t believe she gets to take these glasses home and for nothing in return. This is a gift that you cannot possibly understand the value of. This will bring me back my joy, my peace and it’s something for just me to have.’

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Dr. Samran, CEO of The Hope Hospital, emphasised the significance of the visit, noting that 90% of cases of blindness could have been prevented if timely treatment was available. This highlights the critical impact of the Specsavers team's efforts in bringing essential eye care to those who had previously lacked access.

Speaking about his trip, Specsavers Longford Ophthalmic Director Keith McCallion says, ‘It was great to meet the patients who previously had cataract surgery. It’s proof that the Hope Foundation have been supporting and making change. As a result, they trust us to come back and continue their eyecare.

“The work we’re doing under the blindness eradication programme is more than treatment of cataracts, glaucoma and eye disease. It’s also about supporting people who just need glasses. I know for myself, if I couldn’t wear glasses, I couldn’t leave the house let alone keep a job or provide for my family. The simple act of giving glasses means that you can cure someone’s blindness, allowing them to get a job, get an education and live a fulfilled life.”

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At the end of their week-long volunteering trip, Specsavers presented a cheque of €135,000 to founder of The Hope Foundation, Maureen Forrest. This significant donation will play a vital role in sustaining the eye care clinic in Kolkata.

In addition to the staff from Specsavers, optometry students from Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), Eimear Kilroy, Irene Finnerty, Brid Stack, and Ava Shiels and Paula James along with their Lecturer and Head of Optometry, Declan Hovenden travelled to Kolkata. Specsavers has an academic partnership with TU Dublin, providing expert mentorship and support to students of Optometry.

The partnership is to help students develop the necessary skill sets required to excel in a professional environment and in their academic studies.

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