‘I spy with my little eye’

Local optometrist makes sure children are given the chance to see clearly.

Chandré Hendrickse, the receptionist from Osman’s Optical Primrose, assists an excited Lesego Mashita (13), a learner at Ithembelihle Lsen School, to choose a pair of spectacles last Tuesday during the school’s visit to the optometrist for eye tests.

They say the eyes are the window to the soul, but the gift of sight and the ability to use this sense is far more important than the old adage.

In order to preserve and enhance the gift of sight in children, Osman’s Optical (Primrose, Lambton and Germiston CBD) has implemented a school’s programme where they visit schools in Germiston and give free eye tests and screening to learners.

Last year they fitted 12 deserving, less fortunate children with spectacles and this year the project is going full steam ahead with visits to a number of schools having already taken place.

Dr Suhayl Rehman, the owner of the network of four Osman’s Optical optometrists in Germiston (two in the Germiston CBD, one in Primrose and one in Lambton), is passionate about making sure children have clear vision.

His passion is met by his senior optometrists Nabeela Suleman (Primrose branch) and Zaakir Ebrahim (Lambton branch).

Lindokuhle Khubeka (17), a learner from Ithembelihle Lsen School, was happy to have her eyes tested.

“We started the initiative in Germiston last year as we want to assist all children to have clear vision,” Suhayl said.

“Eye healthcare and vision are often overlooked and clear vision in children, especially children between the ages of six and 12 years old, is extremely important.

“This age is a development stage for children, so not only is their vision developing but so is their brain and their brain and eyes are learning to communicate.

“If a child’s vision system is working at its peak, the child will be able to learn at his/her peak.”

With the programme this year, Suhayl said each school will receive 10 pairs of spectacles.

“The school must decide who the 10 deserving children in need are and we will fit them with spectacles as a donation,” he said.

7019047205 – Melissa Germiston Osmans Optical School Assistance by Germiston City News

One of the schools Osman’s Optical has been assisting for four years is Ithembelihle Lsen School in Primrose East.

Twelve children from the school visited the optometrist last Tuesday to have their eyes tested.

There was much excitement and merriment as the children waited for their eye tests and got to choose spectacles.

“At Ithembelihle the children need to learn many learning skills and clear vision is extremely important for this,” said Suhayl.

“It is wonderful to work with the school’s occupational therapy department and the children.”

Schools are welcome to contact Suhayl by sending an email to osmansprimrose@gmail.com or osmanslambton@gmail.com.