Kirketon Road Centre (KRC), a free and confidential health service for marginalised people based in Sydney’s Kings Cross, is partnering with the Eyes of Hope not-for-profit to provide free eye checks and glasses to KRC clients.
Through its new mobile eye clinic, Eyes of Hope is bringing eye health services to the homeless and vulnerable in NSW. It was founded by three friends working in the optometric, medical and ophthalmology fields, who had encountered people needing eyecare but could not access it.
“Eyes of Hope bridges the gap to accessible eye care and glasses,” said co-founder Mr Shenouda Girgis, a medical doctor with previous experience in ophthalmology.
“Our no-turn-away policy is core to our value system and, combined with our selfless volunteers, makes for an organisation that passionately provides eyecare to the most vulnerable members in our community.”
Girgis founded Eyes of Hope earlier in 2024 alongside Mr Marc Eskander, a previous optometrist of eight years who’s currently completing his medical training at Notre Dame University, and Dr Rajeev Naidu, an ophthalmology registrar in the Sydney with an optometry background.
According to KRC, poor eye health for people experiencing homelessness increases their vulnerability, making it harder to perform everyday tasks, access services and secure employment.
Ms Wendy Machin, clinical services manager for KRC, said the partnership with Eyes of Hope is “an incredibly valuable addition” to the centre and would improve access to eyecare for vulnerable people.
After working at KRC for 27 years, Machin said people came to KRC because they experience stigma, discrimination and other barriers to accessing healthcare.
“Working at KRC is incredibly rewarding as we can provide a welcoming and holistic service to people who experience such stigma and disadvantage,” she said.
“People who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness face many challenges and poor eyesight really adds to this. By coming to a place people already know and trust, Eyes of Hope is reducing the barrier to accessing eyecare.
“Owning free glasses can make a massive difference to people’s lives, especially given the many systems and forms they must negotiate to get housing and other services.”
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