Fundraiser no myopic dream

Dunedin optometrist Nirosh de Silva, who has helped raise money for initiatives to tackle blindness in developing countries, with some of the tools of his trade. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.

Dunedin optometrist Nirosh de Silva helped raise enough money for at least eight cataract operations in the first of what he hopes will be more initiatives to tackle preventable blindness in developing countries.

Specsavers Dunedin ran a family fun day on Saturday to raise money for the Fred Hollows Foundation's work in Pacific countries.

It donated $25 from the price of each of the eight eye tests on the books that day, as well as the proceeds of an in-store raffle.

Mr de Silva emigrated from Sri Lanka 15 years ago, and hoped to return to conduct eye tests in rural centres to add to the work done by organisations such as the Fred Hollows Foundation.

"In New Zealand, we go to the optometrist when we notice a slight change in our vision, but in places like rural Sri Lanka people might not get the chance to see anyone at all, and if they do, it will be when their sight has already deteriorated to a blur," the Specsavers Dunedin co-owner said.

"We don't always appreciate how lucky we are."

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