More than 50 foreign ophthalmologists began handing out more than 4,000 pairs of glasses to Chonburi residents at a Gift of Sight Foundation event at the Pattaya School No. 7.
Bandit Siritanyong, vice president of the Thai-Chinese Cultural and Economic Association, and Janet Duke, clinic manager for the One Sight Foundation of the United States directed the Nov. 10-18 project, with city council members and MP Poramet Ngampichet attending.
One Sight Clinic Manager Janet Duke (left) explains the Give the Gift of Sight project to Chonburi POA President Wittaya Kunplome (next).
“The Gift of Sight” is a collaboration with the Public Health Ministry and One Sight Foundation, which organized a team of eye doctors from 40 countries to perform checkups and prescribe glasses.
The Gift of Sight project was begun with the intention to help the poor obtain free eye exams and glasses. Since 1999, the group has helped more than 350,000 people, he said.
In Pattaya, 1,600 people received free exams and glasses, with the group distributing another 800 in Banglamung, 1,000 in Sattahip, and 1,000 in Sriracha.
In addition, doctors offered advice on maintaining good eye health and preventing eye diseases. Those at risk of blindness were sent to a hospital or nursing center for further care.
