Optometrists from a high street practice in Edinburgh are travelling to Kenya to help deliver eye care clinics that will see 500 people access the service in just one week.
Brenda Rainford and Maria Sawe, of Birrell & Rainford Opticians in William Street in Edinburgh’s West End, will head to Africa this October as part of the SeeKenya initiative.
The charity was established 10 years ago and provides trustworthy, high quality and life-enhancing eye care to prevent blindness, restore sight and improve eye health in Kenya.
Maria, who is joining Birrell & Rainford Opticians on a permanent basis having spent seven years as a locum, said: “I have been working with SeeKenya for a while now and it’s a hugely rewarding experience.
“Anyone can attend our clinics and we carry out full eye tests, check for infections and allergies, administer eye drops and fit glasses.
“We even have a fully functioning onsite lab where we can dispense glasses while the patient waits – they choose a frame and we fit a single vision lens with their prescription.
“It ensures people have access to good quality eye care and it’s very well received. People ask for months in advance when we are coming next.”
Plans are underway to build a permanent clinic at the site in Meru, with a £500,000 online fundraising campaign launched. For more details see www.seekenya.org.
The trip will be the first time Brenda has been part of a SeeKenya clinic and she added: “I’m really looking forward to going out there and experiencing it.
“The work the charity does is incredible and it will be a privilege to be able to give back some of my years’ of experience and make a difference to those who need it the most.”
Maria will be a familiar face to patients at Birrell & Rainford and is looking forward to making the practice her permanent professional home from November.
She said: “It’s exciting and although I already feel very much part of the team having the consistency of a permanent position will make a difference. If patients have recurring problems then they know they always have someone there to help them.
“I’m looking forward to introducing new methods and techniques to the practice and we will have a new focus on the growing prevalence of short-sightedness, particularly among children.”
Levels of short-sightedness, also known as myopia, have risen sharply in recent decades with one in three people classed as having the condition. It is predicted to affect half of the world’s population by 2050.
With a qualification in pioneering treatments such as myopia management – using speciality lenses to slow the progression of shortsightedness – Maria brings a new skillset to the team and is urging patients to book their children in for an eye exam and ensure they receive the best possible care and service.
She said: “With myopia rates rising steeply, it’s become something of a ticking timebomb for global eye health. This is a chance to put into practice techniques that are proven to slow its progression and keep children seeing better for longer.
“Use of digital screens, lots of up-close work and a lack of outdoor play are all contributory factors to myopia so I would urge all parents to book their children in for an eye exam. The earlier we can see them, the sooner we can spot a potential issue and we can get them on the most appropriate treatment pathway.”
Established in 2011, Birrell & Rainford is an independent optometrist offering a range of clinical services and beautiful eyewear for everyone in a family-friendly environment, tailored to each individual’s needs.
Brenda added: “Our experienced team is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care, giving our patients the best vision possible. I have known Maria for many years and I know she is going to be a real asset to the team.”
For more details on booking in for an eye examination call 0131 226 7833 or visit https://www.birrellrainford.co.uk/
