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GROUP SEEKS TO PROVIDE SIGHT AND END POVERTY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Brien Holden Vision Institute Creates Self-Sustaining Clinics

What’s the difference between a volunteer-run temporary charity and a permanent vision clinic in impoverished countries?

“Permanent vision clinics that employ members of the community enable their citizens to end the cycle of poverty,” explains Kovin Naidoo, O.D., Ph.D., of the Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI).

A BHVI social enterprise initiative develops such clinics, which now number 406 and counting in more than 50 countries across Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Affordability and profitability

These permanent clinics are self-sustaining, thanks to BHVI’s Global Resource Centre, which uses bulk buying, among other techniques, to provide affordable eyecare products, such as frames, and eyecare equipment, such as slit lamps, to developing countries. This allows the center to supply frames for projects for as little as $1.00.

Business model

BHVI partners with government hospitals, other existing healthcare clinics, non-government entities, frame or lens companies or eyecare professionals to set up a clinic in a high-patient-volume impoverished area. Clinic support varies, but includes governments paying O.D. salaries or the private sector providing frames, lenses and equipment.

In addition, BHVI offers social franchises to give eyecare practitioners from poor areas the opportunity to run their own clinic under the BHVI brand, while revitalizing their home.

“The social franchises target the population that have some resources to secure spectacles at an affordable rate from the private sector,” explains Prof. Naidoo. “The Social Franchisor (Brien Holden Vision Care) runs the franchise to create greater access and not for income generation. Underserved areas are supported with grants or soft loans to start such practices and create a better spread of services and, thus, greater equity.”

Prof. Naidoo fits spectacles on a child in Soweto, South Africa.

Without a strong partner and a strong market for eyecare services, the likelihood of a successful self-sustaining clinic is minimal, explains Prof. Naidoo.

BHVI provides donor financing to set up clinics — usually between $15,000 and $20,000, which includes ophthalmic equipment, frames and ophthalmic lenses from the Global Resource Centre and dispensing optician and business management training for locals. Including the O.D., a clinic typically employs four to five. To ensure O.D. candidates, BHVI has spent close to $14 million in establishing optometry schools in impoverished nations.

Prof. Naidoo says developing country O.D.s expect a monthly salary of $500 to $1,000. Low-end readers cost patients roughly $2.00, and single-vision spectacles cost $5.00 to $10.00 on the low end, and up to $60.00 for high-end branded products. All frames and lenses are brand new. The frames cost BHVI from $1.00 to $4.50.

Many save for a high-end product “because they believe their status is expressed through what they wear,” Prof. Naidoo explains. “This practice not only helps the clinics to stay in business, it also offsets the cost of spectacles for those who can’t afford them. Our clinics never turn a person away who needs glasses.”

“Kovin and his team are doing remarkable work in this area,” says Professor Brien Holden, CEO of the Brien Holden Vision Institute.

Alcon Taps Into Millennial Market With Colored Contact Lenses

■ On the heels of market research, which reveals more than half of Millennials describe their style as always changing and say that making regular appearance changes is empowering and an essential part of their personality, Alcon has launched Air Optix Colors silicone hydrogel daily-wear monthly replacement contact lenses.

Illaria Urbinati wearing Brilliant blue.

“Color is central to every look I create, and the eyes are absolutely the first feature people notice,” explains Ilaria Urbinati, Alcon spokesperson and celebrity stylist. “The ability to play with eye color creates so many possibilities.”

Chelsea Krost, Millennial generation characteristics expert, author and speaker agrees: “I think Millennials love having fun with fashion, and colored contact lenses are definitely a fun accessory.”

Air Optix Colors are available in prescription and plano and are comprised of plasma surface technology, which Alcon says provides wettability and deposit resistance. The lenses are available in pure hazel, blue, green, gray, brown, brilliant blue, gemstone green, honey and sterling gray. Refits aren’t required for current Air Optix Aqua contact lens wearers.

CooperVision Launches Consumer App

■ CooperVision has created a Consumer Mobile App for iOS and Android devices that offers consumers features such as a lens replacement reminder, an ECP locator and content that covers contact lenses, vision and eye health. To download the app, visit the Apple Store, Google Play or http://bit.ly/V7xWN8.

The Southern California College of Optometry won this year’s Varilux Optometry Student Bowl, receiving $1,000 and the crystal trophy at Optometry’s Meeting, held in Philadelphia.