University gets optometry boost

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Discipline of Optometry has received a major boost with a generous donation of optical equipment and resources from the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation. The donation will enable the clinic to deliver high-quality, affordable eye care to under-served communities while enhancing the practical training of optometry students.

The support was secured through the efforts of Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan, academic leader and Optometry lecturer, in collaboration with the UKZN Foundation.

Recognising UKZN Optometry’s impactful work, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation decided to extend its support.

“A few years ago, OneSight included students in their outreach efforts,” said Dr Ebrahim Khan. “They saw the impact we were having in our community and decided to assist.”

The donation addresses both community needs and the resource challenges faced by UKZN Optometry. It includes essential items such as frames, lenses, trial sets, and click checks, significantly enhancing the clinic’s capacity to provide vision care.

“For many patients struggling to afford optical devices, this donation will lower costs and improve access to essential eye care. A key component of the partnership is the provision of 500 frames and lenses, enabling the clinic to offer more affordable spectacles. The variety of frames ensures suitability for a diverse range of patients, including UKZN staff, students, and the general public. Many patients cannot afford optical devices. This donation will ensure that the price point is significantly reduced, making vision care more accessible,” said Dr Ebrahim Khan.

Beyond equipment, the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation’s commitment extends to patient care. For the first three months, the organisation will process all lab scripts, providing custom-made lenses for patients, ranging from simple distance correction glasses to multifocal lenses.

“This generosity allows us to meet the full spectrum of vision needs, from distance to near and intermediate vision,” added Dr Ebrahim Khan.

The impact of this donation also extends to UKZN’s optometry students. With a complete set of optometry equipment costing more than R30 000, many students struggle to afford these essential tools. The donated trial sets will allow students to practise clinical procedures without the financial burden, ensuring equal training opportunities regardless of economic background.

“The hands-on experience gained at the clinic is invaluable to students’ professional development. Students serve a minimum number of hours in the clinic, supervised by registered optometrists. This training forms the core of their professional growth,” said Dr Ebrahim Khan.

For 35 years, the UKZN Optometry Clinic has played a crucial role in both public health and student training. This partnership will strengthen its outreach efforts, allowing it to serve more patients efficiently through click checks, which streamline vision screenings.

With affordable spectacles now available, the clinic expects a rise in patient numbers. UKZN Optometry has launched awareness campaigns via local newspapers, UKZN’s internal communications, and referrals from public hospitals. Discussions are also underway to explore future collaborations, including sustained reduced rates for spectacles.

One particularly exciting initiative on the horizon is the Vula Amehlo programme, that aims to establish optometry practices in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Graduates will receive training in practice management and, ultimately, ownership of these practices at no cost. This initiative, successfully implemented in other African countries, is now expanding to South Africa, with UKZN Optometry playing a key role.

The donation and collaboration come at a fitting time, coinciding with UKZN Optometry’s participation in World Sight Day 2024 events. Throughout October, the department conducted multiple outreach efforts, including a vision screening in Newcastle that saw 267 patients, as well as screenings on UKZN’s Westville campus and in Port Shepstone.

“This partnership strengthens the incredible work UKZN Optometry does, often with limited resources. It’s about helping them reach more people and improving the lives of those in need,” said Ms Lameez Eksteen, Country Manager for the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation in South Africa.