Retired optometrist visits Ethiopia with Vision Aid Overseas

A retired optometrist from Dorset has visited Ethiopia with the charity Vision Aid Overseas.

Paul Wallis, 64, was involved with setting up the country’s first low vision clinic and creating white canes made from bamboo for visually impaired patients.

Wallis said: ‘A lot of children drop out of school due to poor vision. A telescope to see the blackboard and a hand magnifier mean children and young adults can return to school to complete their education. The supply of simple equipment that is low cost in the UK is expensive for a poor, rural family in Ethiopia. There is little help for people who lose vision unlike this country, so to help with this we set about organising the first ever support group in the country.’