A South Surrey business that took a Honduran optometry clinic under its wing seven years ago has once again donated equipment to help their distant colleagues better care for their patients’ vision.
Dr. Michelle Elliott said Spectrum Optometry has assisted the ZOE Health Clinic in Tegucigalpa with training for its optometrists, opticians and the clinic manager over the years, as well as provided medical equipment on several occasions.
This year, an automated edger (a machine to cut optical lenses so they fit the spectacle frame), a slitlamp (a microscope used for fitting contact lenses), used glasses, 312 new lenses and 300 new frames were shipped south.
The edger was refurbished by Cascade Optical, the used glasses were donated by Spectrum patients, the lenses were donated by Nikon Canada and the frames were donated by the University of Waterloo.
“All the glasses will be given to Honduran people who cannot afford to purchase glasses,” Elliott said in an email this week to Peace Arch News.
She added that the Rotary Club of White Rock paid to ship the equipment, and the Rotary Club of Tegucigalpa helped ensure the gifts – valued at $13,000 – arrived safely at their destination.
