Chance to give gift of sight

Kiwis are being asked to give the gift of sight this Christmas.

The Fred Hollows Foundation says a $25 Miracle of Sight gift can help to fund cataract operations for the 65,000 needlessly blind people throughout the Pacific.

Dr John Szetu, director of the foundation’s Pacific Eye Institute in Fiji, says restoring someone’s sight has a "ripple effect" right through their communities.

"People get their independence back – they can work again, look after their families and enjoy all that life has to offer."

Doctors and nurses from 11 Pacific nations trained by the New Zealand foundation since 2002 restore the sight of thousands every year and test the eye health of thousands more.

Every doctor trained goes on to restore sight to about 10,000 people over their career.

Kiwi eye surgeon the late Professor Fred Hollows pioneered low-cost, 20-minute cataract surgery for developing countries.

Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand has its annual appeal this week.

To buy a Miracle of Sight visit www.giveamiracle.co.nz, phone 0800-227-229 or go to any Specsavers store.