Lines quickly formed when word got out the clinic was underway

Loaded with suitcases full of donated pre-ground prescription lenses, frames and dispensing and screening tools, a team of 12 dispensing opticians put their skills to the test, providing eyecare to rural Fijian communities.

Led by Fijian dispensing optician Sylvester Prasad and CEO Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) April Petrusma, the outreach was a collaboration between ODA and Fijian optometry clinic Opticare – The Eye Centre.

Glasses and uniform matching success, tick! Nadelei Catholic School, Tavua region, Western Fiji

The trip exceeded ODA’s expectations, said Petrusma. “We’re so happy with the outcome and have memories to last a lifetime. There were so many 'wow' moments: witnessing the elderly read their bibles again for the first time in decades; seeing others look outside at the trees with genuine joy on their faces; and observing overloaded cars show up from neighbouring villages because word had gotten out that our clinic had arrived. I can't count the number of hugs, kisses, handshakes and meal invitations both myself and the team received in gratitude.”

Twelve ODA volunteers, including ACOD teachers April Petrusma (centre) and Chedy Kalach (back) formed part of the outreach

Across the four days, the team screened approximately 1,300 people and dispensed 407 pairs of glasses. When the supply of precut lenses in some prescriptions ran out and a lens edger broke down, lenses had to be hand-edged from 75mm blanks, said ODA volunteer Luke Yong. “A broken-down van, tools and ‘Fiji time’ meant that each day was unpredictable, yet every hiccup seemed to add to the adventure. We banded together over our shared love of soy lattes, ’90s karaoke and, most importantly, our passion for optics and the privilege to provide a service to the less fortunate and make a difference.”

The project was sponsored by Hoya Australia, CR Labs, Tokai Optical, Opticare, ProOptics, Zeiss, Hilco Vision, the Australasian College of Dispensing (ACOD), Specsavers and Teachers Eyecare.