Media release
21 November 2009

The gift of sight at Auckland City Mission

Free eye tests for Auckland’s rough sleepers and homeless are being provided by OPSM optometrists this Sunday at Auckland City Mission.

“We are delighted OPSM has offered us this opportunity to offer free optometry services to our clients,” Auckland City Mission Homeless Team Leader Wilf Holt says. “We already provide medical services to homeless people who come to our Drop In centre, but we suspect that many of our clients also have eyesight problems. OPSM will help us identify who needs help.”

Basic eye tests will be carried out at the Mission’s Drop In centre. The Mission sees around 120 visitors at the Drop In centre on an average Sunday, and expects many of them will want to take advantage of the OPSM service. Clients who fail the basic test will be invited to OPSM’s store the following Sunday, 29 November, where optometrists will volunteer their services again to carry out more comprehensive testing.

“OPSM will then provide frames and corrective lenses to any of our clients who need them,” Wilf Holt says.

Regular eye tests are an important component of overall health care.

“Many of our clients have diabetes and heart conditions. The information on the circulatory system that is provided by an eye test provides an insight into conditions like these. This will help our Mission doctors in their overall care of their patients,” Wilf Holt says.

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