300 Spectacles donated to Vision Aid Overseas

Vision Aid Overseas has permanently closed its glasses recycling operations in a decision brought forward as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The recycling scheme, which has been running since 2010, has provided the charity with additional funds by recycling unwanted and used spectacles - unfortunately, we are no longer able to accept spectacles.

Sean has just finished packaging up the 300 pairs of glasses we have collected this year for Vision Aid Overseas.

Vision Aid Overseas is an international charity dedicated to fighting poverty by transforming access to eye care in developing countries. 670 million people - 10% of the world's population - are disadvantaged by poor vision and a lack of spectacles.

The leading cause of sight loss in the world is still prescriptive error- meaning that people can’t see because they are long or short-sighted and do not have the spectacles they need to correct this. But we can all help by donating any unused or unwanted spectacles. The gift of spectacles is the gift of sight. A pair of your old spectacles may transform the life of a person thousands of miles away. Being able to see means a child can study, or an adult can work and support their family.

Donate your old spectacles at Buchanan Optometrists. We pass these on to Vision Aid Overseas, who will recycle them. Good quality spectacles are given directly to those in the developing world that need them. Don’t worry if your old glasses are scratched or bent. If they are not good enough to be given away, the metal, plastic and lenses are recycled to provide much-needed funds to support the charity’s work. Vision Aid Overseas is committed to establishing locally-based eye care services in every country in which it operates. Training doctors, nurses and optometrists to set up sustainable clinics in their local communities provides ongoing care for those who need it for the long term.

So far this year, we have collected over 300 pairs of old spectacles, meaning 300 people in the developing world no longer have to struggle without clear eyesight. Drop your unwanted spectacles into the practice anytime and help us support this fantastic charity. - Please no longer donate spectacles as visionaid overseas have stopped recycling frames