MEDIA: Making Eyes and Making a Difference

Francesca and Nelly are making a difference for people in underdeveloped countries where missing an eye can leave you ostracized due to superstitions.

Ocularistry is a very niche profession on the cusp of the optical industry. It describes someone who hand-makes prosthetic eyes for people who have lost theirs due to disease or trauma.
Artificial eyes are made completely by hand out of the same material as false teeth. It is a complex and fastidious process steeped in tradition. It involves many steps of casting, fitting, adjusting and hand painting colours and details to match the patient’s fellow eye as seamlessly as possible. It typically takes 2-3 days to make one eye. 

These women, who have been self-funded until now, are making good quality prosthetic eyes for these people that match their existing eye and look as natural as possible. In order to keep their workshop open though, they need some help from the community and have created a mycause fundraising campaign to ask for donations.

The community has risen to the occasion and donated almost $19,000 to help these women continue their great work and keep making a difference.

See more about Eyes for All at ABC Melbourne's Facebook page.