Optician joins India eye campaign

Paul Rowlands with A1 Eyewear owner Clare Hodkinson

An optician from Wrexham is preparing to travel to India to join a charity campaign in one of the country's poorest regions.

Paul Rowlands is due to fly out on Saturday to join representatives from the Global Vision charity to carry out eye tests and optical health tests in Bombay.

We will be able to prescribe and make glasses for those who need them, which will mean a big improvement in their quality of life

Paul Rowlands, optician

Mr Rowlands, from near Holywell, said the scheme allowed him to use his skills to help make a difference to people's lives.

"We will check the eyes of the poorest people, who cannot afford eye tests," said the 44-year-old who works at A1 Eyewear in Wrexham.

"If necessary, we will be able to prescribe and make glasses for those who need them, which will mean a big improvement in their quality of life.

It is an innovative scheme in which Paul is taking part

Clare Hodkinson, A1 Eyewear

"In addition, we will carry out health checks, for example for cataracts and glaucoma.

"If we identify such diseases, there is a medical team on site that can do the necessary operations," he added.

Global Vision Director Paul Wellam said the charity aimed to help those struck by poverty.

"Global vision feels the work it does in India is absolutely necessary due to the large population without even basic medical facilities," he said.

"To be able to provide the service we do can very quickly change someone's life for the better," he added.

'Innovative scheme'

Mr Rowlands, who made a similar trip to Jamaica several years ago, said the scheme was a valuable opportunity for him.

"It means I can use my skills to put something back," he said.

Clare Hodkinson, owner of A1 Eyewear, said the project goes further than Bombay.

"It is an innovative scheme in which Paul is taking part," she said.

"Paul and myself also collect old frames and spectacles to donate to schemes in Romania and elsewhere, with trained opticians dispensing them."

Donations can be made at the A1 Eyewear shop in Charles Street.