Support from the Australian public has allowed The Fred Hollows Foundation to purchase specialised equipment to improve refraction testing at Gisenyi Eye Clinic, Rwanda.

Since the delivery of a machine called an auto refractometer last year, the number of patients screened by the clinic has almost tripled.

“Before we had this machine, refractive testing would involve much more guess work, with trial lenses being used,” says Janvier Murenzi, The Foundation’s Program Manager in Rwanda.

“This meant that patients would have to come back regularly for further assessment.

“Now, our auto refractometer lets us know straight away what lenses are required to help people with low vision.”
 
The World Health Organisation recently estimated that 246 million people suffer from low vision globally.

Uncorrected refractive error (the need for a pair of glasses) is the greatest contributor to this number.
 
The Foundation’s continued investment in modern medical equipment is ensuring that eye health staff are giving patients in Rwanda the best possible treatment to ward against vision loss.
   
“Having the proper equipment at our disposal makes staff more comfortable and confident,” says Murenzi.

“Patients also have confidence when they see the equipment, and when they return to their villages they tell their neighbours with eye problems to come and see us.”