Q. You say that the OptyseTM can be used with little training. Surely the operative must have certain ophthalmic skills to undertake an examination and diagnosis. So, whilst we can provide more units will there be more qualified staff able to use it?
A.  We are guided here by the professionals. Prof Bron, Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford suggest  “Unlike standard ophthalmoscopes, the lens free ophthalmoscope allows a rapid view of the fundus [retina to us non-professionals] of the eye, with very little training”

The unit is designed to detect most eye and other eye-detectable conditions in trained hands. More particularly it allows initial screening in the field by assistants. Unlike most clinic based ophthalmoscopes there isn’t a lens & so no training in calibration / lens adjustment is required.  In short, armed with a simple & portable unit, less qualified staff & more volunteers can perform initial examinations ...  and speed up the process to restore sight.

Q. How many units can be shipped before the world is oversubscribed?
A.  Early days, but probably far more than our target of 25,000 over 5 years.  In addition, units will of course need to be replaced.

Maintenance

Q. What is the working life of an OptyseTM?
A. This is a new product and so average real time life expectancy is being evaluated, but the Company expects that the Optyse to have a life of between 3 and 5 years when used in a field situation.  Replacement bulbs and batteries will be required during this period.


Q. Who is responsible for repairs and replacement parts?

A. Primarily the recipient. Distributors, like Sightsavers, are notified by their field personnel if any of their equipment is not functioning properly.  They  will interact directly with the manufacturer to overcome any  problems. Distributors may also work directly with the manufacturer to purchase replacement parts, which includes batteries and bulbs.  The Optyse uses standard Triple A batteries (recommend the use of Duracell) which can be purchased at local retail outlets.

General

Q. What can our Club do to help promote ROI?
A. Put simply, help spread the word. Take leaflets with you if you are visiting overseas Clubs. You can download a piece to add to your Club’s website or put in your Club bulletin, all from our site. We also have an email template that individual members can customise and send to Rotarian friends & contacts around the world.

Q. You claim that ROI helps save lives as well as sight. Isn’t this a bit ambitious?
A.  No. WHO advise that a child that goes blind in developing countries is twice as likely to die before his or her 13th birthday. That needs to be broadcast

Q. Your literature and talk suggest there are 37m blind people. The video says 40m?
A.  Whichever way you look at it, it’s a lot. Our figures are consistent with WHO and Sightsavers. The film clip was made by Standard Chartered bank: It rounded the figures for simplicity and impact.

Q. How is stock controlled and distributed
A. Shipment to Sightsavers and other distributors is undertaken only on the authority of a designated ROI Officer. The Procurement Manager of Sightsavers holds, and only releases units on approved order forms completed by officials in the 33 countries in which it works. Units are issued to recipients directly. No Stocks are held overseas.

Feedback

Q. Do you have open mechanisms for donors and beneficiaries to provide honest feedback?
A. Yes. There are a number of ways feedback can be provided. Our new web site has both a bulletin board (BB) structured by interest group, as well as an automated Guest Book/ Feedback section. We also have our own public Group Board hosted at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/roisight We are Fellows of Rotarians on the Internet (ROTI)