Glasses eye a goal of supporting Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people

Specsavers Greater Geelong are celebrating the 30-year anniversary of The Fred Hollows Foundation by again joining forces to support eye care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Customers are being encouraged to come in store and purchase limited-edition glasses and sunglasses designed by Indigenous artist Sarrita King, with $25 from each pair sold going to the foundation to help carry on Fred’s vision and save people’s eyesight.

It is estimated more than 18,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults over the age of 40 are living with vision impairment or blindness.

However, more than 90 per cent of the eye problems that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults experience are preventable or treatable.

“We’re proud to support programs that are addressing some of the key issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples when it comes to improving eye health and vision, and we want the community to come on this journey with us,” Specsavers Waurn Ponds optometrist Darren Couch said.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are three times more likely to have vision loss or blindness than other Australians, and we want that to change.

“We can’t thank the community enough for their continued support, but there is still work to be done to close the eye health gap.”

The artwork featured on the frames this year is titled “lightning” and represents the memory of the electrical storms in the tropical climate of Darwin, where Sarrita King spent her youth.

Mr Couch referenced the importance of the campaign saying donations would directly support the employment of an Aboriginal eye health worker at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in Fitzroy, and their work in delivering eye health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The campaign, now in its seventh year, has allowed Specsavers and The Fred Hollows Foundation share a mutual goal of closing the gap in eye health by working collaborativelyAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

To date, Specsavers Geelong has contributed $38,000 to the $5 million donated by the eyecare retailer.

Specsavers hope to donate a further $1 million to the foundation this year.

You can purchase the limited-edition frames at the Specsavers stores in Ryrie Street, Westfield Geelong, Belmont, Waurn Ponds, Corio and Leopold.

Book an appointment by heading to specsavers.com.au/stores