Who Can Use Old Spectacles?

[florence kat]

Which opticians in Sheffield are still able to accept old spectacles for use in third-world countries? 

[Anna B]

The Eye hospital at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital used to collect them and send them to third world countries. 

I don't know if they still do, but you could try there.

[RJRB]

https://lionsclubs.co/MemberArea/knowledge/spectacles-recycling/

Apparently local Lions Club collect them throughout the U.K. to grade and send overseas.

[feargal]

Most high street opticians will collect them for re-use in developing countries.

[Dannyno]

Specsavers have a recycling scheme:

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/recycling

 

But note they don't mention any re-use in developing countries.

 

They do this instead, which seems better than just dumping old lenses on a country:

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/news-and-information/vision-aid-overseas

Edited April 17, 2023 by Dannyno

[Dannyno]

If you read what actually happens with donations via Vision Aid Overseas, you can see they generate funds from the recycling of materials from donated spectacles.  They don't say that they send lenses anywhere.

 

https://www.bookaneyetest.co.uk/post/vision-aid-overseas#

[Guest busdriver1]

On 17/04/2023 at 16:41, Dannyno said:

If you read what actually happens with donations via Vision Aid Overseas, you can see they generate funds from the recycling of materials from donated spectacles.  They don't say that they send lenses anywhere.

 

https://www.bookaneyetest.co.uk/post/vision-aid-overseas#

I would be surprised if they did re-use the lenses. Given the choices of frames available in the UK and other developed countries and given the frames are very likely to have failed or be close to it so would likely need new and more specialised frames,  then you get onto varifocals where it is doubtful you would gat a match for the prescription.