Limerick man part of team of opticians giving gift of sight in India

A LIMERICK man has described the “incredible work” carried out by a team of volunteers in Kolkata, India.

Brian Sheehy, who works as an optometrist in Limerick city, was among a team of people who have been supporting 2,414 individuals living in Kolkata’s street and slum communities in India.

Mr Sheehy, who works with Specsavers, was part of a team of expert opticians that 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.

“There was incredible work carried out by the Hope Foundation team. So many people take eyecare for granted at home, so it was a privilege to do my bit for people less fortunate,” said Mr Sheehy.

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One of the patients the team treated was Clara Halder, a 56-year-old community caregiver, whose passion for books had been taken from her due to deteriorating vision.

This changed with the help of Specsavers mobile eye clinic, which prescribed Ms Halder glasses. Having been gifted the glasses on the day, Ms Halder reportedly told the volunteers that they “will bring me back my joy, my peace and it’s something for just me to have.”

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

Maureen Forrest, Founder of the Hope Foundation explained that this programme is the difference between life and death for people who can’t feed their families.

“Vision is everything to people and for us to be able to support them in their vision journey is a great privilege,” she added.