ABDO Sponsorship for VAO Projects

Vision Aid Overseas aims to transform access to quality eyecare in developing countries. 670 million people worldwide are unnecessarily visually impaired because they do not have spectacles – this accounts for 10% of the global population. This is mainly due to the significant lack of eyecare services available in low and middle income countries. For people affected the consequences can be disadvantage and disability. Our vision is a world in which everyone has access to eyecare and spectacles.

Vision Aid Overseas develops sustainable eyecare services that ensure an impact for our patients:

• We establish Vision Centres where high quality spectacles can be manufactured and sold at an affordable price following a thorough eye examination.
• We train healthcare workers in practical eye testing and vision health skills that equips them to work as primary eyecare workers in their local communities.
• We utilize the expertise of UK optical professionals who develop outreach services in areas away from existing facilities and who undertake teaching programmes across the developing world.

Our work is focused on improving the lives of people who are marginalised by poor eyesight and motivated by our belief that good vision should be a right for all, not just those who can afford it.


In 2004 ABDO adopted Vision Aid Overseas as its official Charity of Choice and committed to support their work in a number of ways.

Every year, ABDO will be sponsoring two young people to take part in overseas projects by paying a bursary to Vision Aid Overseas. This bursary will allow Vision Aid Overseas to cover some of the costs of sending a dispensing optician to work in the developing world.

If you are a dispensing optician who has been selected for a Vision Aid Overseas project and would like to apply for an ABDO bursary, please write to Michelle Derbyshire at the ABDO College or email mderbyshire@abdocollege.org.uk. Your letter should contain a brief professional profile, information about the project and where you will be travelling to. Most importantly, please explain why you want to go. Applications will be assessed on a regular basis and you will be informed of a decision as soon as possible.


For people in the developing world with bad eyesight it can be very difficult to access education and employment. Many find daily living difficult and dangerous. Vision Aid Overseas has a dramatic impact on people’s lives by giving them the opportunity to go to school, continue to work and live a life free from unnecessary disadvantage and disability.


Vision Aid Overseas was founded 1985 by dispensing opticians and optometrists who cared passionately about helping people in the developing world who needed good vision to live an ordinary life. Since its foundation, Vision Aid Overseas has helped over a million people to see through the provision of eyecare and spectacles.


Vision Aid Overseas receives no government funding and is totally dependent on the support it receives from individuals and organizations in the UK. ABDO are proud to support Vision Aid Overseas in its work to transform access to eyecare in the developing world.


Vision Aid Overseas urgently needs support to help more patients. You can support them by:

• Making a cash donation
• Become a fundraiser fundraiser
• Become a member member
• Volunteering for a project

You can contact Vision Aid Overseas by visiting their website or via the details below:

Vision Aid Overseas
12 The Bell Centre
Newton Road
Manor Royal
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 2FZ
UK

Tel: (44)-(0)1293-535016
Fax: (44)-(0)1293-535026
Email: info@vao.org.uk
Website: www.vao.org.uk
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