Carlow Mother and daughter were a sight for sore eyes in Kolkata

A MOTHER and daughter from Carlow have just returned from a trip to India, where they brought eye care to those in need in the city of Kolkata.

Dolores O’Neill and her daughter Abby, who both work in Specsavers Carlow, travelled to the city, formerly known as Calcutta, in partnership with The Hope Foundation. Retail director Dolores and optical assistant Abby joined a team of volunteers from other Specsavers branches to work in collaboration with the Hope Hospital Eye Clinic and reached out to local communities.

It wasn’t the first trip to India for Dolores, who has previously used her expertise to help those in need.

Dolores highlighted her gratitude for the trip: “Returning to Kolkata with The Hope Foundation this year was an incredibly meaningful opportunity and I’m so grateful for it. Sharing this impactful journey with my daughter Abby has made it even more special. Their work alongside street connected communities is truly transformative, impacting lives for the better.

“To witness the profound impact of our support first-hand was a privilege, especially the gift of sight we helped provide to thousands. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone who made this possible.” 

During their eight-day visit, the team conducted eye checks on 3,722 patients, dispensed over 2,804 pairs of glasses and, in more severe cases, referred patients to Hope Hospital for necessary surgery. For most of these individuals, it was their first time seeing an optician and accessing the basic eye healthcare we often take for granted in Ireland.

For the people seen by Specsavers on this trip, receiving glasses is often a life-changing intervention. It empowers them to pursue education, secure work to support their families or to simply enjoy the everyday world with clarity.

The Specsavers team encountered countless inspiring individuals whose lives were profoundly changed by basic eyecare, including Samaresh, a 63-year-old shopkeeper who had struggled with poor vision his entire life, believing it was normal. Receiving bifocal glasses from the pop-up clinic transformed his perception, perfectly encapsulating the profound impact of such a simple intervention.

Another vital encounter involved a 38-year-old truck driver whose -4 prescription made his job dangerously challenging; fitted with correct glasses, his world opened up, powerfully demonstrating why the team returns each year.

Samiran Mallik, CEO of The Hope Hospital, underscored the critical impact of the Specsavers team’s efforts to expand access to eye care. He highlighted that 90% of blindness cases are preventable if timely treatment is available.

Specsavers has raised over €130,000 this year alone, contributing to a remarkable total of €861,785 since 2017, dramatically improving the lives of Kolkata’s most vulnerable.

After their visit, Specsavers presented a cheque for €54,450 to The Hope Foundation in Ireland. This significant donation will play a vital role in sustaining the essential eye care clinic in Kolkata.

The Hope Foundation Ireland is a registered charity dedicated to working with street-connected and slum-dwelling communities in Kolkata. The charity aims to free children and impoverished families from lives of pain, abuse, poverty and darkness, improving their lives by providing access to healthcare, nutrition, education, drug rehabilitation and life skills training.

With the continued support of Specsavers and The Hope Foundation, improved eye care will become more accessible to children living in Kolkata’s slums and those in hospital care.