Optometrist backs PMH care

Bunbury Specsavers is joining forces with 44 other WA stores in a bid to raise money for the ophthalmology department at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Money raised will be used to care for children diagnosed with serious eye health conditions including 14-year-old Bunbury girl Lilah Hardisty.

Lilah’s mum Jodie Kirkpatrick said PMH had been a second home and without the paediatric ophthamology department her daughter may have gone blind.

“Lilah was diagnosed at nine and half months-old with glaucoma so it was a little bit of a rollercoaster ride at the beginning,” she said.

“The constant care that we get from there is just amazing and they are always on board with what’s happening.”

A regular at PMH since she was a baby, Lilah recently became an ambassador for the Perth Children’s Foundation with Specsavers also supporting the teen with two pairs of free glasses.

“We are just part of the furniture these days so it was really nice to have this opportunity to give something back to the hospital,” Ms Kirkpatrick said.

“They get lots of kids on board, it’s fantastic just to share their experiences with others and to make people aware.

“Without the department we wouldn’t have the care that we’ve had and the expertise and the technology that is available so funding for them is really important.”

Specsavers Bunbury store partner Carys Walker said they were thrilled to be able to give customers the opportunity to give to PMH.

“The work the PMH ophthalmology department does is indispensable for children who have been diagnosed with serious illness,” she said.