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What does a Glasses for Classes clinic do?
Glasses for Classes provides children with eye tests and glasses.
Our clinics are run by Dickson, Sylvia and Betty.
Eye Tests
The first stage for us is inviting students who are struggling to see properly to take a basic eye test. this involves using eye charts at two different distances so we can find out whether they are short sighted (myopia) or long sighted (hyperopia).
The next step is an examination using the autorefractor (AR) which determines the strength of the lenses that should be used in the trial frames. The trial frames are often the first time children experience being able to seeing clearly and what a difference their glasses will make. Once the lenses are chosen, the rest of the measurements are taken so that a perfectly fitting pair of glasses can be made up.
About 60% of the children we help are long sighted (+ prescription) and are 30% short sighted (- prescription), and around 10% have astigmatism where they have an irregular shaped cornea or lens. This is a common eye condition that causes blurry or distorted vision.
A few children will have photophobia and need shaded glasses because they have a high sensitivity to light. Photophobia can be painful and can make daily tasks like reading and writing extremely hard.
An eye test takes about 15-20 minutes per patient and as we screen a lot of students so the days can be long!
Once the eye examinations are done all the details are sent to Will who makes up the glasses for free.
You can find out more about the impact of a pair of glasses by reading our blog: Transforming Futures: The Life Changing Power of a Pair of Glasses
To donate to Glasses for Classes here.