One Sight Clinic Manager Janet Duke (left)
explains the Give the Gift of Sight project to Chonburi POA President
Wittaya Kunplome (next).
Warunya Thongrod
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.
“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.
