Specsavers National Eye Care Day - Saturday 24 July 2010 Kiwis booking an eye test this Saturday will be doing much more than just keeping their eye health in check, they will be making a life-changing contribution to the tens of thousands of needlessly blind people in the Pacific.

In support of Specsavers National Eye Care Day on 24 July, stores across the country will donate $10 from every eye test performed between 24 - 30 July to the work of The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand.

The work of Kiwi eye surgery pioneer Fred Hollows lives on through the Foundation, which helps many thousands of people across the Pacific annually.

Each donation will go towards the cost of basic eye care and surgery to help restore sight to a person in a nearby Pacific nation.

Specsavers Managing Director, Graeme Edmond, said store co-owners are enthusiastic about the chance to support such an effective organisation. "Supporting the work of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ gives us an opportunity to make a real difference. Every person getting their eyes tested that week will play their part in doing something extraordinary for another individual," Mr Edmond said.

"Every hour one more person in the Pacific loses their sight through conditions which are perfectly treatable like cataracts. Meanwhile, we take it for granted that we can access excellent medical and eye care services. We receive the right treatment and simply walk out the door and get on with our lives."

The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Marketing and Fundraising Director, Pam Williams-Jones, said the contribution from Kiwis will not only restore the miracle of sight to needlessly blind people in the Pacific but will give them a whole new lease of life.

"The majority of the conditions our team see are treatable, that is what is really sad, that people are needlessly blind and all they want to do is go back to their everyday lives and earn a living for their family," Mrs Williams-Jones said.

"The money raised through the Specsavers National Eye Care Day initiative will not only restore quality of life to individuals who have lost their sight, it will enable them to play an active role within their communities again. It really will give them their life back."

Specsavers encourages Kiwis to have their eyes tested at least every two years for a healthy person and yearly for those with pre-disposing factors such as diabetes and glaucoma. Kiwis will also receive a 50 percent discount on their eye test if they have an exam between 24 - 30 July.