Imagine.....sharing all the world
Most spectacle wearers will be aware of the ongoing campaign by Vision Aid to recycle old spectacles by sending them to the developing world. Before second hand glasses get to their new owner, there's a long process of sorting and packing before they are professionally dispensed. Not all unwanted glasses find themselves in the hands of Vision Aid. There's a growing trend of vintage spectacle wearers and the place to go is Retrospecs. Amongst the optician's range is the model of vintage NHS specs as worn by John Lennon.
Retrospecs have a wide range of retro spectacles and sunglasses dating from the 50's, 60's and 70's, including various top designers and designs (the aviator, for example). Retrospecs currently house a rare selection of original NHS specs which were available in the UK 1958 until 1980's. The model 422 in gold (pictured) was worn by John Lennon; probably prescribed for him before he became a Beatle. You can buy a similar pair for £127 (frame only).
Recycle your old specs by taking them to your local participating opticians, including Vision Express. The glasses are sent to prisons to be cleaned, graded and packed by trained prisoners. It costs approximately £2.00 to get each pair of spectacles to the developing world. The individual will receive a full eye examination and great care will be taken to match the glasses to the patient. Not as simple as I first thought! [Ella]
