In 2024, the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation continues to make a significant impact globally, providing permanent access to vision care for millions. As part of this initiative, the foundation’s clinics, including a recent mission in Victoria, Australia, have served as a crucial resource for underserved communities. For optometrist Peter Gardner, participating in the Victorian Regional Clinic was an immensely rewarding experience, offering a firsthand look at the profound difference access to vision care can make.
Gardner, who has been involved with OneSight clinics for years, was selected to join the June 2024 mission in Melbourne. Unlike previous events, where he primarily worked in school screenings or rural communities accustomed to medical visits, this mission exposed him to new challenges and rewarding moments that highlighted the importance of such community outreach.
The clinic, led by Gardner and a team of EssilorLuxottica volunteers, traveled across five locations, partnering with the Salvation Army to provide essential eye care. The team worked tirelessly, offering visual health screenings and eyewear to people who otherwise could not afford it. Volunteers, including optometrists from across Australia and senior staff from EssilorLuxottica, spent their days assisting the local population with a range of vision needs.
“Our days started early, setting up clinics and providing care to as many individuals as possible,” Gardner shared. “It was both humbling and fulfilling to help people who had not been able to read or perform simple daily tasks due to poor eyesight.”
The clinic served nearly 1,000 people over the course of the week, with 501 patients receiving refraction assessments and 109 leaving with glasses the same day. An additional 377 pairs were ordered to be picked up later. Many people received free vision vouchers, ensuring they could access follow-up care at local OPSM practices. For some, this was a lifeline—like the woman who was urgently referred for a suspected retinal tear, receiving timely treatment thanks to the clinic’s referral system.
Despite the clinic being primarily focused on screening and dispensing basic eyewear, it also played an important role in identifying serious health issues. Patients with high intraocular pressure, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts were referred to hospitals or local optometrists for further examination and treatment.
Reflecting on the experience, Gardner said, “It was a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and passionate team. We were able to provide not just glasses, but a renewed sense of independence and dignity to so many people.”
OneSight’s efforts, both in Australia and worldwide, are part of a broader mission to provide vision care to those in need. Since its inception, the foundation has helped over 110 million people globally, providing spectacles, vision care, and sustainable access points. In the Pacific region alone, OneSight has helped nearly 60,000 individuals, with a network of almost 35 clinics supported by hundreds of volunteers.
For Gardner, this clinic served as a reminder of the profound impact accessible healthcare can have. As he concluded, “It was truly an emotional and humbling experience, and I encourage others to get involved in future missions.”
Through continued partnerships like the one with the Salvation Army, OneSight remains committed to improving the lives of millions by expanding access to vision care across the globe.
Related topic:
Can You Get Eye Bag Surgery On The NHS?
How to Use Q-Switch Laser for Eye Dark Circles?
