Montreal residents donate eyeglasses for a good cause

August 17, 2010

For two more weeks, residents of Montreal, Canada, will have the opportunity to donate their used eyeglasses to benefit people in poor communities in South America and Africa, according to The Montreal Gazette.

The Societe des directeurs de musees montrealiais, an organization which represents 35 museums, in conjunction with the eyewear chain Antoine Laoun, organize and sponsor the effort. This year the groups expect to collect over 2,000 pairs of glasses for the local charity Optometristes sans frontieres.

The glasses will be distributed to several South American countries. Those who go to donate their specs will have the opportunity to take in a temporary art installation comprised of more than 400 glasses that were collected at the beginning of the drive.

The glasses will be carried along two-week missions run by the organization and given to the people of Honduras, Peru, Ecuador and other countries where citizens may not have the resources to purchase glasses or visit an eye doctor.

According to the American Optometric Association, periodic eye examinations can help diagnose eye health issues that may have no visible symptoms. Early diagnosis of certain eye problems can help maintain good vision and even prevent blindness in some cases.