Optical dispensers are being given new opportunities to volunteer their expertise through a newly established Foundation focused on improving access to eye care in underserved communities across Australia and the South Pacific.
South Pacific Eye Care Foundation (SPEC Foundation) is a registered charitable organisation established by April Petrusma, Chief Executive Officer of Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) and Chedy Kalach, co-founder of the Australasian College of Optical Dispensers (ACOD).
Through volunteer outreach projects and mobile eye clinics, the Foundation provides vision screenings, dispenses free prescription spectacles, manages minor acute eye conditions, and facilitates referrals for further care.
To deliver these services, the Foundation works collaboratively with volunteers, community partners, sponsors, and industry bodies.
By establishing the SPEC Foundation, the aim is to create a sustainable, long-term approach to delivering eye care where it is needed most
Filling the Gap
In a media release, SPEC Foundation said it differs from many established eye care charities that have traditionally centred around the clinical roles of ophthalmologists or optometrists.
“While these organisations are absolutely vital and perform necessary work in preventing avoidable blindness and strengthening eye-care systems, there are relatively few avenues specifically dedicated to leveraging the unique skills of optical dispensers and dispensing opticians to improve the quality of life for people living with undiagnosed refractive errors.
“The Foundation aims to fill this gap by actively engaging optical dispensers and dispensing opticians in charitable initiatives. Through the SPEC Foundation’s projects, such as the ODA Outreach, dispensers can support communities with limited access to eye care, while also empowering the profession to play a greater role in improving vision outcomes across the South Pacific.”
The SPEC Foundation grew out of an outreach project, launched in 2024 by ODA. After facilitating multiple volunteer outreach trips from Australia to Fiji, Ms Petrusma and Mr Kalach became aware that limited access to eye care across disadvantaged communities in the South Pacific was a persistent and systemic issue, not a temporary one.
By establishing the SPEC Foundation, the aim is to create a sustainable, long-term approach to delivering eye care where it is needed most.
Get Involved
Organisations and individuals interested in contributing are encouraged to get involved by donating goods, providing financial support or volunteering.
- The Foundation welcomes ongoing sponsorship enquiries and accepts both physical donations arranged directly with the team and monetary contributions made via its website.
- Businesses can also support the SPEC Foundation by nominating it as their chosen charity in a range of practical and meaningful ways. These include featuring the Foundation’s logo and website link on their own platforms, displaying a small donation box at the counter, inviting customers to contribute a small amount in lieu of minor frame repairs, pledging a percentage of sales, or hosting dedicated fundraising events.
- Supporters can also make a one-off donation via the website or join the recurring donation program to help support accessible eye care on an ongoing basis.
- Volunteers remain central to the Foundation’s work. Each year, members of ODA are invited to apply for participation via the ODA Outreach project. While places are limited, applications are encouraged from qualified optical dispensers and dispensing opticians across Australia and New Zealand. Updates and application openings are announced via ODA’s social media channels and the ODA Today e-Newsletter.
