Vision Aid Overseas sees the benefit of latest lensmeters

Vision Aid Overseas received a boost at the recent FMO annual lunch when three new digital lensmeters were donated by members of the optical equipment division of the trade body.

Chris Tyler, chief executive officer of Birmingham Optical, Andy Yorke, director of Topcom and Norville Autoflow chairman Frank Norville, made the donations, with a combined value of around £5,000. The more accurate lensmeters will enable VAO to step up its processing of thousands of pairs of spectacles annually. VAO director Tym Marsh said 'this is a fantastic surprise and the new technology will be put into use immediately. We are working with a number of HM prisons, including Shepton Mallett, where we trained inmates to check the powers of specs that are so kindly donated. These new digital lensmeters, which replace the old telescopic-style ones, are so accurate and they don't need a skilled operator - they will be of great benefit to our patients abroad. The benefits will be felt immediately.'