 |
|
|
Local optometrist blesses people in S. America by giving eye exams, glasses to those in need January 6, 2018, 12:37 pmDr. Roger Pickering began a few years ago taking humanitarian trips to South America and while there he gives eye exams, fits and distributes prescription and reading glasses, and gives out sunglasses to those in need. In each of his 8-9 day trips his medical group will see 2,500-3,000 people and they give out 2,000 sunglasses and almost that many prescription and reading glasses. "I began doing this a couple of years ago and once you start, it just gets in your blood. You can't not go. It is a tremendous blessing to be able to go and help these people. You help a people in need, but gain friends you will have forever," said Pickering. Pickering and Dr. John Larcabal from Southern California plus about four-to-five optometry students from California join the group called Eagle Condor which is a based in Utah and gives medical and general humanitarian aid to people of South America. Pickering has helped people in Peru twice and is thinking of going on two humanitarian trips in 2018. Dr. Pickering's office is currently collecting any type of glasses that people do not use anymore: older prescription glasses, sunglasses, and reading glasses. There is always a donation box in his office where community members can drop them off. He will take all these donations on his next trip. "We just had someone come in and give us quite a few reading glasses they had purchased for us. That was humbling to see a community member want to help others in that way and just strengthens my resolve to continue to go and make sure these donations make it to those in need," said Pickering. Pickering started Lehi Vision Center right out of optometry school in 2000. After realizing that there was a need for eye care in northern Utah County; he opened Lehi Vision Care. His office offers full scope optometry services including routine exams, medical and emergency eye care and eyeglasses and contacts sales. His first office was located at 159 E. Main Street where he stayed for 13 years until he moved to his new office on 86 W. Main Street. If you have any old glasses that you don't need any more drop them off at Lehi Vision Care to help someone in need. Lehi Vision Care is located at 86 W, Main Street in Lehi. Their hours are Monday 9-5 p.m., Tuesday 1-6 p.m., Wednesday 10-7 p.m., Thursday 8-5 p.m., Friday 7-3 p.m. If you have further questions they can be reached at 801-766-1696. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
