Staff and students from the Department of Optometry at the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) have visited Bulgaria to join their peers at Sofia University in screening and testing children’s eyes.
The DIT team included staff members Claire McDonnell and Veronica O'Dwyer, plus final year optometry students Michaela Doyle-Geary and Gemma Roche.
The Bulgarian team consisted of two members of faculty, one ophthalmologist and three optometry post graduate students, led by Mila Dragomirova, lecturer and president of the Bulgarian Association of Optometrists.
Over three days they screened and tested approximately 300 patients who braved sub-zero temperatures and driving snow to attend an eye test.
‘The Bulgarians were fantastic hosts and it is hoped that they will make a return visit to Ireland in the future. The DIT team were very generously sponsored by Specsavers’ Republic of Ireland branches,’ said McDonnell.