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Fungai Lupande Mashonaland Central Bureau 
Elderly people in Mashonaland Centre were in for a treat at Bindura University of Science Education(BUSE) optometry clinic, receiving free eye examination and prescription glasses for free as the centre opened doors to members of the public today.

Mr Raymond Fungayi Tengwa (73) from SOS village in Shamva was “over the moon.”

Mr Tengwa who is an elder at Seventh Day Adventist said he is blind in the left eye and struggled to read the bible while using the right one.

“After receiving eye screening I was advised that my right eye is developing a cataract. In the long run, I was going to be blind. I was prescribed reading glasses and I am very happy. I love reading the bible,” he said.

Gogo Ester Saini (68) said her eyes were sore and she was failing to thread the needle.

“After going through the eye screening I could see clearly. This is my first time having my eyes examined and I am happy that we now have a clinic nearby where we can easily go for constant eye check-ups,” she said.

The clinic has three examination rooms equipped with ophthalmic machines consisting of a slit lamp and phoropter. They also have retinoscopes which are mobile and manual machinery for eye examination in remote setups.

BUSE Vice Chancellor Professor Eddie Mwenje said health is an important aspect towards an upper-middle-class economy as envisioned by President Mnangagwa. He added that Government has approved an expansion of the optometry clinic to accommodate an eyeglass manufacturing plant.

“We are excited that our optometry clinic is open to the public. The clinic was commissioned by President Mnangagwa on November 6, last year. The clinic is now registered with the Professional Health Board,” he said.

“We didn’t have an optometry clinic in the province and this facility is going to assist all people in the province to have their eyes examined and treated. We have state of the art equipment and we are expecting people across the county to seek eye care service at our centre.

“A lot of people are affected by their vision and sometimes they don’t know. If you can’t see properly you are not in good health.

“At this centre they can be examined and be able to read and do other activities normally. Our students undergoing training as optometrists are having practical experience.”

Chairperson of the department of optometry Dr Claudio Mtuwa said the centre will not only examine patients and provide them with glasses but also do the general evaluation of vision. Two-year-old toddlers can also be examined and he urged parents to desist from dismissing eye problems for their children. They are capable of examining people who communicate and those who cannot.