Eye Testing in 2016

29 Nov 2016

A man holds trial lens frames to a woman's eyes as she reads a test card in a classroom

NEW PROJECT

2016 Horbury and Ossett Phoenix Rotary Club were interested in using a new type of spectacles which were were self adjusting, and therefore would not need the services of an optician. THese were not quite ready on our departure, so Jim decided, with the help of Ruth an Optician from York Rotary club, to run some eye testing clinics to test the need for spectacles ,and problems in eye health care in Kenya. Ruth kindly gave Jim 160 pairs of recycled and graded spectacles. The three clinics Jim ran showed a great demand as spectacles were too pricey for most Kenyans. In other words, many people from age 30 onwards were unable to read, sew and do fine work,clearly interfering with their ability to earn a living.

One of the sessions was held in a very poor area, where most of the people had never been to school and so did not speak any English. A translator therefore had to be used to make testing possible. Rosemary used her limited kiswahili to give out the appropriate spectacles.

All recipients were delighted!

An eye test letter chart pinned to a wooden board against a classroom wall

Distance Chart

A man fits trial lenses on a woman reading a test card while another man holds it

Jim testing with lenses

A woman holds up a reading card at a desk of spectacles beside a smiling volunteer

A happy recipient Rose given spectacles according to Jim's prescription

Women and children wait on benches as volunteers check eyes at a table in a small room

An eye chart fixed to a tree trunk in a dirt yard between buildings, with a parked motorbike