Area optometrists are asking for the community to help them in their mission to establish the first-ever eye clinic at the Bishop Kellogg Center in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.

The clinic, which was organized by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Savannah and supported by St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Tifton, plans to provide vision screenings and evaluations for both children and adults. South Georgia Eye Partners is helping to sponsor the effort as well.

Dr. Alan Peaslee, an optometrist with South Georgia Eye Partners with almost 25 years of experience, and his son Jason, a licensed dispensing optician, are participating in the effort and will be volunteering their skills and services to the clinic. The Peaslees will be serving at the clinic for one week.

“We are really excited to be a part of establishing this first clinic. It is a big undertaking, but I hope it is the first of many eye clinics in that area,” said Dr. Jason Peaslee.

“While many people would argue this, we have excellent health care here (in America). This is really a great opportunity to give back to people that do not have what we have. We want to be able to help adults and children. We are planning to help take care of some kids at one of the local schools for at least one of the days we are there,” he said.

In addition to supplying services to the region, the clinic will also be distributing glasses for those that need them. Bausch & Lomb has donated 1,000 pairs of glasses and are prepared to donate more if needed. A couple of hundred pairs have been collected locally as well, though the need for glasses is still high. If anyone is interested in donating glasses, please bring them to any of the office locations in Tifton, Valdosta or Douglas by Jan. 30. The team will then clean, sort and categorize each pair before they are packed for the trip.

Dr. Peaslee and his team are asking for donations of used reading glasses in particular, but other eyeglasses and financial donations are also welcomed.

“You can be assured your contribution of glasses or funds is directly helping someone in need,” said Dr. Alan Peaslee.

An entire team of clinical and non-clinical personnel will be participating. Local partners and organizations have also banded together to help with the effort. The Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity is providing some of the equipment and the Lions Club in Douglas is helping with a donation of glasses.

If you or your organization would like to assist, just stop by a South Georgia Eye Partners office in Valdosta, 4380 Kings Way; Tifton, 416 Tift Ave; or Douglas, 200 Doctors Dr #105.

For more information go to SouthGeorgiaEye.com or call any of the offices. Valdosta: (229) 244-2068. Tifton: (229) 391-4180. Douglas: (912) 384-1840.