The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation made a profound impact on the lives of many Cambodians with a weekend workshop, offering free vision screenings and prescription eyeglasses to those in need. 

On March 2, a team of volunteer ophthalmologists and optometrists – both foreign and Cambodian – screened more than 1,000 people in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district.

The initiative aimed to unlock academic participation, economic progression and stronger communities for individuals previously hindered by poor vision.

A man living with a disability has his eyes examined in Dangkor district on March 2. Hong Raksmey

One beneficiary, 79-year-old Tun Lun, experienced the joy of reading for the first time in years after receiving a pair of prescription glasses from the foundation. 

“My vision is very clear now! I have these glasses to use at home, to see my children’s faces, my grandchildren’s faces. When my eyes feel teary or blur, I wear them,” she told The Post.

For years, poor eyesight prevented Lon from enjoying the written word, and her existing glasses were not the correct prescription, causing dizziness. 

Patricia Koh, head of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation in Southeast Asia, Japan and Korea shows a selection of glasses to women’s affairs minister Kantha Phavi. Hong Raksmey

The foundation's support brought clarity to her world, giving her newfound independence. The glasses helped her connect with her family and engage with her community in a way she hadn’t been able to before.

The foundation, with a mission to address the global vision crisis, focuses on ensuring everyone has access to quality vision care. 

Globally, it explained that 2.7 billion people live with uncorrected poor vision, hindering their ability to learn, work and fully participate in society. 

More than 1,000 individuals in Dangkor district were screened and provided with solutions to their vision problems. Hong Raksmey

“Our goal is to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, has access to good vision care,” said Patricia Koh, head of the OneSightEssilorLuxottica Foundation in Southeast Asia, Japan and Korea.

“In partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, the National Program for Eye Health, and the Fred Hollows Foundation, we screened over 1,000 individuals in Khan Dangkor and provided them with a solution to their vision problems,” she added.

“Beyond the clinic, we want to raise awareness that good vision is life-changing, and ensure that beneficiaries in need are aware that they can continue to seek vision care at access points near their home,” she told The Post. 

Koh explained that everyone diagnosed with refractive errors received a pair of prescription glasses on the spot.

The trained screening teams also identify individuals who may have more complex eye conditions such as cataracts or other ocular diseases.

“These patients are referred for further examination, ensuring that no one is left behind in their journey toward better vision,” said Koh.

She said among adults, particularly the elderly, presbyopia (farsightedness) is the most prevalent condition. 

It’s a natural part of aging, where near vision becomes blurry, but a simple pair of reading glasses can dramatically improve daily life. 

In younger individuals, myopia (nearsightedness) is increasingly common due to prolonged close-work activities.

“While rare cases exist, such as more advanced eye diseases or congenital conditions, the key challenge remains uncorrected refractive errors, which are easily solvable by a simple pair of eyeglasses but continue to limit opportunities for many Cambodians due to lack of access to care,” explained Koh. 

She recommended that the most important step is regular eye screenings: at least once a year. Early detection leads to better outcomes, whether for simple vision correction or more serious eye conditions. 

For children, it’s essential to develop good vision habits. This includes taking breaks from close-work, spending time outdoors and maintaining proper lighting while reading or studying.

“For those exposed to prolonged sunlight, wearing UV-protected sunglasses can help prevent long-term damage,” Koh added.

 “Eye health is often overlooked, but it is integral to overall well-being, and small steps can make a significant difference,” she explained.

Som Sitha, in her 50s, said her cataract is so severe that she needs surgery at a hospital. 

Carrying a prescription for an operation at a referral hospital and a pair of sunglasses, she told The Post, “My condition is severe. I can’t rely on glasses alone; I need critical treatment. I am going to visit the hospital very soon.”

The OneSightEssilorLuxottica Foundation is actively working with local partners to bring vision care services to underserved communities across Cambodia, focusing on the most remote areas where access is severely limited. 

“Sunday’s large-scale clinic was a testament to the impact we can create together, and we are committed to expanding these efforts,” added koh.

Plans are already underway to scale this model to other provinces, ensuring that more Cambodians receive the eye care they deserve.