Optical Express volunteers treat patients in Syria

Four volunteers from Optical Express travelled to Syria to help treat patients as part of Dr Morhaf and the Red Crescent's (Syrian Red Cross') eye camp.

Undergraduate optometry student Amy McLaughlin, senior optometry development manager Jill Young, optometrist Jaymeet Patel and professional services director Scott Mackie travelled to Syria with 2,500 pairs of spectacles and 3,000 pairs of lenses donated by the company.

The mission is part of the company's commitment to improving eye care (uk.opticalexpress.com/eyecare.html) in impoverished areas of the globe, including its support of charity partnerships such as The Caring Charity, which supports children in crisis.

In Syria some 30 per cent of the population currently live in poverty, working long hours in tough industries such as agriculture, with eye care not an option for many.