In Focus: Optics in solidarity with Ukraine

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, over 10 million citizens have been forced to leave their homes and over 4.5 million have fled to neighbouring countries – the fifth-largest refugee outflow since 1960, according to research. While the Ukranian people remain resilient, many are relying on the lifeline of humanitarian support, such as from the UN Refugee Agency, NGOs and other sympathetic organisations. The optical sector has stepped forward to aid those in need in a variety of ways.

Debbie McGill, head of policy and public affairs at the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), commented: ‘At the onset of the Ukrainian crisis, ABDO quickly engaged with the profession to confirm the pathway in place to provide eye health care, which includes the provision of spectacles to refugees, under the entitlement of free NHS care through HC2 certificates.